01Weather
Rio de Janeiro weather in January
Afternoons in January average 31.0 °C (88 °F) and nights cool to 24.0 °C (75 °F). Compared with December it is 1.5 °C warmer; February is 0.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 35 °C / 95 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 27 °C / 80 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 22 °C / 72 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 20.5 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 36.7 °C / 20.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 05:11 | 18:41 | 13.5 h |
| 15 January | 05:20 | 18:43 | 13.4 h |
| 31 January | 05:32 | 18:40 | 13.1 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 24 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Sao_Paulo).
03Crowds
How busy Rio de Janeiro is in January
very busy The main sights are very busy in January. What drives it:
- Brazilian summer holidays
- post-New Year beach season
- Carnival preparations
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Rio de Janeiro in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Festa de São Sebastião | 20 January, city patron saint | tradition |
07Packing
What to pack for Rio de Janeiro in January
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 20 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is high summer, hot and humid with afternoons above 32 °C and sudden heavy storms on about thirteen days, and Brazilian school holidays filling the beaches. The São Sebastião feast on 20 January honours the city's patron saint with a procession and a city holiday. Carnival rehearsals at the samba schools and the first street blocos begin in the second half. Hotel rates are high. The sea is around 26 °C.
Afternoon storms can flood the Zona Sul streets briefly. The Christ the Redeemer summit is often in cloud by afternoon; go early. The Lapa arches and the Friday street parties are at their busiest. Daylight runs from about five in the morning to half past six. For Carnival and the most expensive week of the year, see February.
09Compare
Rio de Janeiro month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| February | 31 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| March | 31 °C | 23 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| April | 29 °C | 21 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| May | 28 °C | 19 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 18 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 26 °C | 17 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| August | 26 °C | 18 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| September | 27 °C | 20 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 27 °C | 21 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| November | 28 °C | 22 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 30 °C | 23 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires in January | 30 °C | 10 |
| Miami in January | 25 °C | 5 |
| Cancún in January | 27 °C | – |
| Orlando in January | 22 °C | 2 |
| Lisbon in January | 16 °C | 9 |
| New York City in January | 5 °C | 8 |
11FAQ
Rio de Janeiro in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Rio de Janeiro. Daytime highs average 31 °C (88 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in January?
Expect hot days around 31 °C (88 °F) and nights near 24 °C (75 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 35 °C, and one in ten stays below 27 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in January?
January in Rio de Janeiro, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Rio de Janeiro in January?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in January?
The main sights are very busy in January. Main drivers: Brazilian summer holidays; post-New Year beach season; Carnival preparations.
What time does it get dark in Rio de Janeiro in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 18:43 and rises at 05:20, giving 13.4 hours of daylight.