Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Rio de Janeiro in January
Rio de Janeiro edges warmer than December, with highs of 83°F (29°C), lows of 74°F (24°C) and about 8.2 in (208 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 51/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by rain.
- Avg high
- 83°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 74°F (24°C)
- Rain
- 8.2 in (208 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 16 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Highs settle around 83°F (29°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights stay warm too, with lows averaging 74°F (24°C).
With 83% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Rain is a real factor, with about 8.2 in (208 mm) across the month.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (50 → 51/100).
- Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 83°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Quick-dry fabrics83% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes8.2 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Rio de Janeiro in January
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Confeitaria Colombo
Belle Époque tea room from 1894 with mirrored walls, pastries and lunch.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 8.2 in of rain.
Bar Urca
Neighborhood bar where locals sit on the seawall with beers and snacks at sunset.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Museu do Amanhã
Science museum by Santiago Calatrava on the revived Praça Mauá waterfront.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 8.2 in of rain.
Selarón Steps
Staircase covered in tiles from around the world by artist Jorge Selarón.
Tijuca National Park
One of the world's largest urban forests, with waterfalls and trails to Pico da Tijuca.
Nearby in January
- Ilha Grande in January~65 mi · highs 86°F, 8.9 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Paraty in January~100 mi · highs 89°F, 9.0 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Rio de Janeiro in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 51/100, held back mainly by rain. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 83°F (29°C) and 8.2 in (208 mm) of rain. Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so January is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Rio de Janeiro in January?
Average highs are 83°F (29°C) and average lows 74°F (24°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in January?
Yes: about 8.2 in (208 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 57.9 in (1470 mm).
What should I pack for Rio de Janeiro in January?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 83°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), quick-dry fabrics (83% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (8.2 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Rio de Janeiro
Planning Rio de Janeiro in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.