Rio de Janeiro in September: a seasonal travel plan
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In september, the average daytime high is 26.7 °C and the night-time low is 19.8 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: September
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Rio de Janeiro
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 26.7 °C
- Nighttime low
- 19.8 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 72.2 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 8.7
- Daylight
- 11.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 26.3 | 19.2 | 2.4 |
| Days 11–20 | 27.4 | 20.1 | 2.4 |
| From day 21 | 26.4 | 20.0 | 3.9 |
What this month is like
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In september, the average daytime high is 26.7 °C and the night-time low is 19.8 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 8.7 wet days on average, with about 72.2 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 11.9 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 25.2 °C, September — 26.7 °C, next month — 26.7 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.4, 8.7 and 17.5.
Things to do
Rio fits between Corcovado mountain and the ocean: the historic centre and Lapa to the north, Copacabana and Ipanema to the south, Santa Teresa on the slope between them. The metro runs along the coast, and the beaches divide the day into morning and evening.
Corcovado and the Christ statue
The train to the Christ statue on Corcovado climbs through the Tijuca forest. Arrive for the first departures before cloud covers the view, and leave time for the Lage park at the foot of the mountain.
Sugarloaf Mountain
The cable car to Sugarloaf leaves from Urca and climbs in two stages. Walk the Urca waterfront before going up, and have dinner in Botafogo by the bay afterwards.
Beaches and Ipanema
Copacabana and Ipanema are joined by a promenade used for running and cycling. On Sundays Ipanema holds a craft and street food fair, and swimming is best in the morning.
Where to stay
Botafogo
Botafogo suits a quiet stay by the bay with Sugarloaf in view. There are fewer visitors than on Copacabana, the metro and a market are close, and the southern beaches are a few stops away.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a hill of trams, studios and views over the centre. The streets are steep and narrow and taxis are better after dark, but the district moves slowly and feels nothing like beach Rio.
Copacabana
Copacabana draws people for the beach below the window and the long Avenida Atlantica promenade. Hotels face the ocean and evenings are loud, so keep to lit streets in the side roads at night.
Getting to and around Rio de Janeiro
Buses and taxis run from Galeão airport to the city, a trip of about an hour; domestic flights land at Santos Dumont near the centre. Within the city the metro along the coast and the bus network carry most people, with tickets loaded on a card. Corcovado and Sugarloaf are easier in the morning, before the queues build.
Three days in Rio
Centre and Lapa
Start at Cinelândia square and the Municipal Theatre, then walk up Rua do Ouvidor to the aqueduct. In the evening go down to Lapa for the Selarón steps and live samba in a bar.
Corcovado and Santa Teresa
Climb to the Christ statue by train through the forest in the morning. After lunch come down to Santa Teresa, wander the streets with the studios and finish at the Parque das Ruínas with its view.
The southern beaches
Spend the morning on Copacabana, then follow the promenade to Ipanema. After lunch look into the Lage park on the lake and return to the beach for sunset.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.9 | 23.9 | 246.3 | 21.1 | 13.4 |
| February | 28.5 | 23.9 | 243.7 | 21.2 | 12.9 |
| March | 28.0 | 23.6 | 197.0 | 18.6 | 12.2 |
| April | 26.6 | 22.1 | 111.4 | 12.1 | 11.6 |
| May | 25.2 | 20.3 | 66.9 | 8.6 | 11.0 |
| June | 24.7 | 19.1 | 49.2 | 7.7 | 10.8 |
| July | 24.6 | 18.5 | 20.5 | 3.8 | 10.9 |
| August | 25.2 | 18.4 | 53.9 | 7.4 | 11.3 |
| September | 26.7 | 19.8 | 72.2 | 8.7 | 11.9 |
| October | 26.7 | 20.8 | 139.5 | 17.5 | 12.6 |
| November | 26.4 | 21.2 | 267.0 | 20.1 | 13.2 |
| December | 27.6 | 22.6 | 283.3 | 21.5 | 13.5 |
Frequently asked questions
Rio de Janeiro: what is the temperature in September?
The average daytime high is 26.7 °C and the night-time low is 19.8 °C. Start a long walking route in the morning. Plan lunch and shaded breaks for the middle of the day.
How many days with precipitation are there in September?
On average, there are 8.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 72.2 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in September?
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 26.3 °C; 11–20 — 27.4 °C; 21 to month-end — 26.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in September?
The average is 11.9 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Rio de Janeiro worth visiting in September?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 26.7 °C and nights around 19.8 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Rio de Janeiro on a wet day in September?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Rio de Janeiro in September?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 11.9 hours.