Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
May
The dry season opens — Rio's underrated sweet spot begins.
Best match
#4 of 12 months
There are better months for Rio de Janeiro — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
26.2°C
Low
19.5°C
Rain
69mm
Sun
6.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How May scores in Rio de Janeiro
Weather
Excellent
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Excellent
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in May
- ↑Rain dropping sharply: 69mm with more reliable sunny days
- ↑26°C: comfortable for Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and beach visits
- ↑Budget prices: some of the best hotel value of the year
What you sacrifice
- ↓International visitor numbers very low — some tour operators reduced schedules
- ↓Sea temperature dropping slightly: 24°C (still warm, but not summer-warm)
- ↓Some of Rio's biggest festivals and events are in January–February not May
How May compares to June (best month)
| Factor | May | June ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 8 | 9 |
| Value | 8 | 8 |
| Crowds | 8 | 9 |
May in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Rio de Janeiro, not across destinations. Methodology →