Rio de Janeiro in March
Hot sea, thinner crowds after Carnival
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
March is a reasonable month in Rio de Janeiro — with trade-offs.
Still hot and humid with frequent showers, but the Carnival rush is over and prices ease. The sea is at its warmest. In years when Carnival falls in early March, the first days of the month follow February's pattern.
March in detail
What March actually feels like
- Weather
- 23–30°C
- Hot sea, thinner crowds after Carnival
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
+Warm water and calmer streets than February.
–Humidity and regular heavy showers.
My tip for March
Check the Carnival date for your year before booking.
- beach days
- swimming
How March compares
Against the other eleven months
8th of 12 overall in Rio de Janeiro, 8th for weather, 7th for space, 7th for value. The emptiest month is May; the best value is May.
See all twelve months for Rio de JaneiroNot set on March?
Even stronger months in Rio de Janeiro
Also good in March
Weather
Weather in Rio de Janeiro in March
In March Rio de Janeiro averages a high of 30°C (86°F) and a low of 23°C (73°F), with about 136 mm of rain or snow over 8 wet days. The warmest month is February (around 32°C) and the coolest is July (around 25°C); the wettest month is January.
- Average high
- 30°C
- 86°F
- Average low
- 23°C
- 73°F
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Wet days
- 8
Climate data: Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Rio de Janeiro in March: the questions people ask
- Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
- March is a reasonable month in Rio de Janeiro — with trade-offs. It ranks 8 of 12 months in Rio de Janeiro overall (8 for weather, 7 for space, 7 for value). The main upside: Warm water and calmer streets than February. The main downside: Humidity and regular heavy showers.
- What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in March?
- Average highs are around 30°C and lows around 23°C. Expect about 136 mm of rain or snow over roughly 8 wet days. Hot sea, thinner crowds after Carnival. For comparison, the warmest month is February (around 32°C) and the coolest is July (around 25°C).
- Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in March?
- Crowds are moderate. Moderate. The quietest month is May.
- How expensive is Rio de Janeiro in March?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). $$$. The best-value month is May.
- When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (March ranks 8 of 12). The quietest month is May and the best value is May.
Ready to book March in Rio de Janeiro?
Warm water and calmer streets than February.
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