Weather in Rio de Janeiro in July

How July compares

July is the 12th warmest month of the year in Rio de Janeiro and ranks 121st of 134 destinations we compare for July - see where else is hot in July. Against London's average high of 21.8°C in July, Rio de Janeiro is 3.0°C warmer by day and 3.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in July

The typical July day in Rio de Janeiro peaks at 24.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.0°C or more. About 50% of days top 25°C and 1 in 22 pass 30°C. Nights average 17.3°C; one night in ten drops to 15.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest July day here reached 33.9°C (2016-07-16) and the coldest night 11.3°C (2000-07-18).

Rain in July

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 49 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest July was 2004 with 123 mm, the driest 1997 with 6 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sea temperature in July

The sea averages 22.0°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 21.3°C to 22.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (26.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:33 and sets about 17:24 local time in mid-July. Average cloud cover is 45%.

Is July a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?

Yes - it is one of the better months: warm days, manageable rain. The best months for Rio de Janeiro on our scoring are August, June, July; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm afternoons, with a layer for evenings

Pack mainly for warm weather, but leave room for a jumper or light jacket. Days reach 25°C about 50% of the time, while 30°C heat occurs on just 4% of days, so persistent high heat is not the usual July experience. There can still be hotter spells, and shade at midday remains useful, especially with humidity averaging 79%. At the other end, the coldest 10% of nights fall to 15.2°C or lower. Lightweight trousers and an extra layer will give you more flexibility than packing only shorts and beachwear. July suits travellers who prefer to spend the day outside without needing strong heat to make the holiday feel worthwhile.

Allow for rain rather than planning around it

Rain is a possibility rather than a reason to rule July out. There are about 8 rainy days, so bring a compact waterproof and keep outdoor plans flexible. That figure does not mean those days are complete washouts, but it does mean a wholly dry holiday is not something to count on. Sunshine averages about 5.9 hours a day, leaving scope for time by the sea without promising uninterrupted blue skies. Choose swimming and sunbathing around the warmer, brighter conditions, and keep less weather-dependent plans available for damp spells. Overall, July is a sensible compromise if you want warmth and can accept some interruptions from rain.