End of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Rio de Janeiro in March
Little changes in Rio de Janeiro from February: highs stay near 82°F (28°C), lows near 74°F (23°C), and about 6.8 in (173 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 58/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 82°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 74°F (23°C)
- Rain
- 6.8 in (173 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 10 min
- Comfort score
- 58/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Highs settle around 82°F (28°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights stay warm too, with lows averaging 74°F (23°C).
With 83% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Rain is a real factor, with about 6.8 in (173 mm) across the month.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- Comfort holds steady from February (60 → 58/100).
- Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 82°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Quick-dry fabrics83% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes6.8 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 March
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 6.8 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 March'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 6.8 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 March
- Ilha Grande in March~65 mi · highs 84°F, 7.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Paraty in March~100 mi · highs 87°F, 6.6 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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 March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
It's middling, scoring 58/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 90. Expect highs of 82°F (28°C) and 6.8 in (173 mm) of rain. Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so March is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Rio de Janeiro in March?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 74°F (23°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in March?
Yes: about 6.8 in (173 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 57.9 in (1470 mm).
What should I pack for Rio de Janeiro in March?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 82°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), quick-dry fabrics (83% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (6.8 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 March?
Share this March plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.