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Rio de Janeiro in May

Short answer

In May, Rio de Janeiro averages highs of 27 °C (81 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), with about 70 mm of rain spread over roughly 8 days. May has moderate rainfall, usually in quick showers that do not spoil the whole day. Crowds tend to be moderate this month.

Climate · INMET (updated 2026)
Most reviewed activity in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro Full-Day Tour + Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain by Minibus★ 8.6 · 338 reviews · from US$ 103 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Temperature
27 / 20 °C
high / low
Rain
70 mm
8 days
Daylight
11h01
sunset at 17:19
Crowds
Moderate
1 public holiday

What to expect in Rio de Janeiro in May

Myllena Vieira, editor at Visite
Editor's tip

May brings fall to Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Temperatures are pleasant, with highs of 27 °C (81 °F) and nights that still call for a light jacket. Crowds sit somewhere in the middle, with peaks on public holidays. Outside those dates, you can enjoy the place at an easy pace and spend less. Rain, when it comes, is usually brief and does not spoil the day.

Myllena Vieira · Editor at Visite
Crowds
Crowd level: moderate

Moderate crowds, with peaks on public holidays. Outside those dates, you can enjoy the place at a calmer pace.

Prices
Rates: moderate · ~R$ 341

Moderate prices outside public holidays, which push rates and crowds up. The average nightly rate for lodging in Rio de Janeiro is around R$ 341 (Brazilian reais), depending on the date.

Tours and tickets

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro in May

booking on Civitatis
Rio de Janeiro Full-Day Tour + Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain by Minibus
8.6· 338 reviews

Rio de Janeiro Full-Day Tour + Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain by Minibus

Discover Rio de Janeiro on this complete tour. See the world-famous Christ the Redeemer Statue, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Maracana stadium in real life!

10 h
from US$ 103
Book →
Rio de Janeiro Rocinha Favela Walking Tour
9.3· 187 reviews

Rio de Janeiro Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

Experience the other side of Rio de Janeiro with this guided tour of the Rocinha favela, during which you'll discover its lesser-known spots.

3 h
from US$ 50
Book →
Rio Sunset Sailing Tour
9.6· 158 reviews

Rio Sunset Sailing Tour

Experience a beautiful sunset over Rio de Janiero, sailing the bay as night falls on board a luxurious yacht - a unique experience in the 'Cidade Maravilhosa'.

3 h
from US$ 53
Book →
Dona Marta Viewpoint Sunrise & Christ the Redeemer
9.8· 51 reviews

Dona Marta Viewpoint Sunrise & Christ the Redeemer

On this tour in Rio de Janeiro, we'll see a spectacular sunrise at the Dona Marta viewpoint and the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer.

3 h
from US$ 98
Book →
Christ the Redeemer and Tijuca National Park Tour
9.6· 39 reviews

Christ the Redeemer and Tijuca National Park Tour

Enjoy the majestic landscapes that surround Rio on this tour of the National Park of Tijuca and the neighbouring area. Amazing!

7 h
from US$ 55
Book →
Rio de Janeiro Sailboat Trip
9.8· 29 reviews

Rio de Janeiro Sailboat Trip

Admire the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain from a truly unique perspective with this unforgettable sailboat trip around Rio de Janeiro.

3 h
from US$ 54
Book →
See all activities in Rio de Janeiro
Where to stay

Hotels in Rio de Janeiro

In May, demand in Rio de Janeiro is moderate: most hotels have room, but public holidays fill them up. Compare rates and book a few weeks ahead.

Linx Galeao by Wish in Rio de Janeiro 8.8 ★★★ · 399 reviews Linx Galeao by Wish See on Booking → Americas Granada Hotel in Rio de Janeiro 8.5 ★★★★ · 589 reviews Americas Granada Hotel See on Booking → ibis budget RJ Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro 8.2 ★★ · 71 reviews ibis budget RJ Copacabana See on Booking → ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America in Rio de Janeiro 8.1 ★★★ · 36 reviews ibis Rio de Janeiro Nova America See on Booking →
See all hotels in Rio de Janeiro

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

What happens in May

No major fixed festivals in May, but public holidays (Labor Day) bring more people to the destination.

Public holidays in May: Labor Day (01/05). Expect more people and higher prices around these dates.

What to pack in May

Light clothing for the day · highs of 27 °C (81 °F) Rain jacket or umbrella · 8 days of rain in the month Sunscreen and sunglasses · strong sun on the tours Quick-dry clothing · humidity of 80% Comfortable walking shoes · you will be on foot much of the day
Looking for better weather?

Where the weather is good in May

These destinations have the best weather comfort for May, scored with the same calculation of rain, heat and humidity. Tap to see what the month is like in each one.

Belo Horizonte 88
Belo Horizonte
Minas Gerais · see May →
Brasília 88
Brasília
Distrito Federal · see May →
Brumadinho 88
Brumadinho
Minas Gerais · see May →
Mariana 88
Mariana
Minas Gerais · see May →
See all destinations by month

Torn between Rio de Janeiro and another destination?

See Rio de Janeiro next to the destinations that usually compete for the same trip: month-by-month weather, driving cost, ideal length of stay and travel style, side by side.

Rio de Janeiro or Arraial do Cabo? Rio de Janeiro or Búzios? Rio de Janeiro or Paraty?
see all comparisons →

Questions about Rio de Janeiro in May

What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in May?
In May, Rio de Janeiro averages highs of 27 °C (81 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), with about 70 mm of rain spread over roughly 8 days. May has moderate rainfall, usually in quick showers that do not spoil the whole day. Crowds tend to be moderate this month.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in May?
In May, Rio de Janeiro gets about 70 mm of rain spread over around 8 rainy days, in line with the average rainfall for the year. Rain tends to come in quick showers that do not ruin the day.
Is May high season in Rio de Janeiro?
Crowds in May tend to be moderate. Moderate prices outside public holidays, which push rates and crowds up.
What is happening in Rio de Janeiro in May?
No major fixed festivals in May, but public holidays (Labor Day) bring more people to the destination.
Does it usually rain all day in Rio de Janeiro in May?
INMET's climate normals record the number of rainy days and the total millimeters, not the hours of each day, so they do not say how long the rain lasts. What they show for Rio de Janeiro in May: 8 rainy days in a month of 31 days (about 26% of the days) and 70 mm over the month, which works out to an average of about 9 mm per rainy day. Compared with the rest of the year, May falls within the destination's average rainfall. Rain tends to come in showers, but it is smart to have an indoor backup plan.
What is the temperature in Rio de Janeiro in May, and what should you pack?
According to INMET's climate normals, the average high in Rio de Janeiro in May is 27 °C and the average low is 20 °C, with air humidity of around 80%. Compared with the rest of the year, the temperature in May is typical for the destination. For your suitcase, here is what those numbers call for: light clothing for the day; rain jacket or umbrella; sunscreen and sunglasses.
Is Rio de Janeiro worth visiting in May?
Good time to visit. On our weather comfort index, which weighs rain, heat and humidity from INMET's climate normals, May scores 63 out of 100 and ranks No. 5 among the 12 months. The most comfortable month is July (74) and the least comfortable is January (40). As for crowds, in May they tend to be moderate.
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