Rio de Janeiro in December
December builds steadily to the single biggest night on the beach, when Copacabana is closed to traffic and the whole city dresses in white.
Is December a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
December is one of the busiest months in Rio de Janeiro, at about 88/100. If you can move your dates, June is far calmer.
What’s on in December
- Réveillon — two million people on Copacabana for New Year’s Eve
- Brazilian summer holidays begin mid-month
Best days in December
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in December
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in December
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How December compares
Every month in Rio de Janeiro, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Rio de Janeiro.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Rio de Janeiro, from our booking partner.
Free cancellation
Free cancellationAffiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a crowd score or the order of our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Rio de Janeiro?
December is one of the busiest months in Rio de Janeiro, at about 88/100. If you can move your dates, June is far calmer.
How crowded is Rio de Janeiro in December?
Rio de Janeiro sits at roughly 88/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 25 points above the yearly average. The quietest month is June.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in December?
Expect highs around 29°C and lows near 23°C in December, with about 11 wet days across the month.