Brazil, South America

Rio de Janeiro in December

Summer holidays and Reveillon on Copacabana Beach push prices to their peak in the last week.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), frequent storms

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

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Rio de Janeiro. Summer holidays and Reveillon on Copacabana Beach push prices to their peak in the last week.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), frequent storms
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Rio de Janeiro

December is the start of Rio's summer. Highs are near 88F (31C), humidity is high, and afternoon storms are frequent. School holidays begin, the beaches fill up, and prices climb all month. The last week is the peak of the year, with Reveillon on Copacabana on December 31 and many hotels asking for minimum stays.

Go if you want the New Year's Eve party or a hot beach holiday and are fine with crowds and cost. Early December is noticeably calmer and cheaper than the final week. If you want comfortable weather and good value, choose May or September instead.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Rio de Janeiro this month.

Reveillon on Copacabana

Millions of people dressed in white watch the fireworks over the beach on December 31, and many offer flowers to Iemanja at the water's edge.

Warm water returns

The ocean warms up for summer, and beach days run from morning to sunset.

Early December deals

The first half of the month gives you summer weather before the holiday price spike.

What to pack for December

White clothes if you are going to Reveillon
A compact umbrella for storms
High SPF sunscreen and a hat
A cross-body bag for crowded beaches and fireworks night

Our timing tip

For Reveillon, book your room many months ahead and arrive at the beach in the afternoon to claim a spot on the sand.

Book Rio de Janeiro for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rio de Janeiro
Opens a hotel search for Rio de Janeiro in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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 December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Reveillon on Copacabana

December 31 every year

Millions of people dressed in white watch the fireworks over Copacabana Beach and offer flowers to Iemanja.

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 December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Rio de Janeiro. Summer holidays and Reveillon on Copacabana Beach push prices to their peak in the last week.

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

Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), frequent storms.

Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in Rio de Janeiro; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Rio de Janeiro in December?

Reveillon on Copacabana (december 31 every year).