01Weather
Rio de Janeiro weather in March
Afternoons in March average 31.2 °C (88 °F) and nights cool to 23.4 °C (74 °F). Compared with February it is 0.2 °C warmer; April is 2.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 34 °C / 94 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 28 °C / 82 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 22 °C / 71 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 20.7 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest March day 2016–2025 | 37.7 °C / 20.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 05:48 | 18:21 | 12.5 h |
| 15 March | 05:54 | 18:08 | 12.2 h |
| 31 March | 06:00 | 17:53 | 11.9 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 36 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Sao_Paulo), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy Rio de Janeiro is in March
busy The main sights are busy in March. What drives it:
- Carnival if it falls in March
- end of summer holidays
- still hot
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
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 March
No major recurring events fall in March.
07Packing
What to pack for Rio de Janeiro in March
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 21 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March is still hot and humid, with afternoons around 31 °C, sometimes with Carnival in the first days, then settling as summer holidays end and the city returns to work. Storms are frequent, on about eleven days. Rates drop sharply after Ash Wednesday. The sea is at its warmest for swimming, around 27 °C. Lollapalooza Brazil in São Paulo draws some visitors away in late March.
The Rio Open tennis at the Jockey Club falls in February; March brings the Tiradentes preparations and the end of the beach high season. The Christ the Redeemer visibility improves as the humidity drops in the final week. Daylight shrinks from twelve and a half hours to twelve. For the first dry, clear days and Easter, see April.
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 March? See the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires in March | 26 °C | 9 |
| Miami in March | 28 °C | 4 |
| Cancún in March | 29 °C | – |
| Orlando in March | 27 °C | 3 |
| Lisbon in March | 18 °C | 8 |
| New York City in March | 11 °C | 8 |
11FAQ
Rio de Janeiro in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
March is a good month 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 busy.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in March?
Expect hot days around 31 °C (88 °F) and nights near 23 °C (74 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 34 °C, and one in ten stays below 28 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in March?
March in Rio de Janeiro, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Rio de Janeiro in March?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in March?
The main sights are busy in March. Main drivers: Carnival if it falls in March; end of summer holidays; still hot.
What time does it get dark in Rio de Janeiro in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 18:08 and rises at 05:54, giving 12.2 hours of daylight.