Brazil, South America

Rio de Janeiro in August

The driest month. Great for hiking, city sightseeing, and views, though the ocean is cool.

BestDry, highs near 79F (26C)

Rio de Janeiro Sugarloaf, Brazil — Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Donatas Dabravolskas, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is one of the best months of the year to visit Rio de Janeiro. The driest month. Great for hiking, city sightseeing, and views, though the ocean is cool.

Weather: Dry, highs near 79F (26C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Rio de Janeiro

August is Rio's driest month. Highs sit near 79F (26C), rain is scarce and skies are often clear from morning to night. The winter school holidays are over, so crowds thin and prices drop back toward their yearly low. The ocean stays cool, around 70F (21C), which keeps most swimmers brief.

This is a top month for hikers, photographers and first-time visitors who care more about views and city sights than warm water. Beach-first travelers who want to spend hours in the sea should aim for April instead, when the water is still warm and the crowds are still light.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Rio de Janeiro this month.

The clearest views of the year

Dry air gives the best odds of a cloud-free Corcovado and long views from Sugarloaf across Guanabara Bay.

Big hikes in Tijuca

Pedra da Gavea and Pedra Bonita are at their best on dry trails. Hire a guide for the longer climbs.

Lapa on a Friday night

Cool evenings are made for samba clubs and street parties under the old aqueduct arches.

What to pack for August

A light fleece for evenings
Sturdy hiking shoes for rocky trails
A daypack with water for long hikes
Sunscreen and a hat for strong, dry-season sun

Our timing tip

Start big Tijuca hikes at first light, when the air is coolest and the views from the summits are clearest.

Book Rio de Janeiro for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rio de Janeiro
Opens a hotel search for Rio de Janeiro in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Rio de Janeiro
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Rio de Janeiro
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Rio de Janeiro for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Full guide

Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado

Take the cog train through the forest to the statue. Go early in the morning on a clear day; clouds often cover the peak by afternoon.

Tickets and tours →

Sugarloaf Mountain

Two cable cars climb to the summit. Sunset is the classic time, but it is also the busiest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Ipanema and Copacabana beaches

Each posto (lifeguard station) has its own crowd. Keep valuables minimal and watch for strong currents.

Tickets and tours →

Tijuca National Park

Hike to Pedra Bonita or Pedra da Gavea for views over the city and coast. Go with a guide on the longer trails.

Tickets and tours →

Santa Teresa and the Selaron Steps

A hilltop neighborhood of artists and old mansions, and the tiled staircase that links it to Lapa.

Tickets and tours →

Museu do Amanha

A striking science museum in the revitalized port area, focused on sustainability and the future.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit Christ the Redeemer on the first train of the morning on a clear day.
Go to Sugarloaf in the late morning instead of at sunset to avoid the longest lines.
May, June, August, and September offer the best weather-to-price ratio.
For Carnival, consider the smaller street blocos in neighborhoods like Santa Teresa for a less overwhelming experience.

Know before you go

During Carnival, much of the city closes for business, traffic is disrupted, and many streets are taken over by blocos.
Heavy summer storms can cause flooding and landslides, disrupting traffic and closing some hillside trails.
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf operate daily, but low clouds can mean zero visibility; check the webcams or weather before you go.
The water off Rio's beaches is coolest in winter, around 70F (21C), and strong currents can close beaches to swimming.

Rio de Janeiro in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?

August is one of the best months of the year to visit Rio de Janeiro. The driest month. Great for hiking, city sightseeing, and views, though the ocean is cool.

What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in August?

Dry, highs near 79F (26C).

Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in August?

August is one of the quieter months in Rio de Janeiro; most sights can be done without long waits.