Travel advisory · BrazilRio de Janeiro State is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Favelas.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Ceilandia · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Favelas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
- Paranoá · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Santa Maria · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- São Sebastião · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Venezuela border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
Also named by one government: 160 km strip along Brazil's land borders (US), Complexo da Maré (Canada), Complexo da Penha (Canada), 20 km strip along the Bolivian border (excluding Pantanal National Park) (Canada), 20 km strip along the Colombian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the French Guiana border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Guyanese border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Paraguayan border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Peruvian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Surinamese border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Venezuelan border (Canada), Amazonas River and tributaries, Amazonas State (between Codajás and Belém do Solimões) (UK), Border zones (unspecified) (France), Chapada Diamantina National Park (trilha do 21) (Spain), Planaltina (Italy), Samambaia (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Aug 31, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 27, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to high crime rates (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (pays à risque) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Rio de Janeiro State
Travelers go for the beaches around Rio city, the granite peaks above it, and the colonial town of Paraty and the mountain retreat of Petrópolis.
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Rio de Janeiro State lies on Brazil's southeastern Atlantic coast. Its capital, the city of Rio de Janeiro, is the state's best-known place, set between the ocean and granite peaks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado, the hill where the statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. Outside the city, the state runs from long beaches and offshore islands to forested mountains and historic towns. Paraty's colonial center has old stone streets, and cars are kept out of much of it. Petrópolis, in the hills above the coast, was a summer residence of Brazil's imperial court.
The state suits travelers who want city life, beach days and easy day trips into the hills and along the coast. Rio is warm year-round. The hottest and most humid weather falls from about December to March, and Carnival is usually held in February. Cooler, drier months from May to September suit hiking better. Plan four or five days for the city and one or two side trips. A week or more gives time for Paraty and the islands.
Rio de Janeiro State in five
- Use the 99 or Uber app for night ridesApp rides are the simplest way to cross Zona Sul after dark. Check the plate and driver photo in the app before you get in.Getting around
- Load a RioCard before you ride the metroRioCard covers the metro and Rio's BRT buses, so buy one at a station window and top it up before a day out.Getting around
- Book the Corcovado train for a set timeThe cog train climbs from Cosme Velho to Christ the Redeemer and sells tickets for set time slots, so book ahead for a clear morning.Tours and tickets
- Carry small reais for beach kiosksSome beach kiosks take cash only, and chair rentals need change, so keep small reais notes and coins.Money and costs
- Keep your phone out of sight on the streetPhone snatching happens on busy beaches and at bus stops, so use your phone inside shops and cafés, not while you walk.
Neighborhoods
Rio de Janeiro
Rio pairs beaches and samba with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, all set between the bay and forested mountains.
Paraty
Paraty is a colonial port on Brazil's Costa Verde, known for cobbled streets, boat trips to nearby islands and waterfalls, and a slow pace between Rio and São Paulo.
Búzios
Búzios is a beach town on the Atlantic coast of Rio de Janeiro state, known for its calm bays and a walkable cobblestone center.
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro State
See all attractions in Rio de Janeiro State
Need to know
- Currency
- Real (BRL)
- Entry
- Visa-free or visa needed, depending on passport; check before you book
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Tipping
- 10% service often added to restaurant bills; check the bill
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, rainy spellsJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy spells
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Carnival, crowdedFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival, crowded
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Warm, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Warm, fewer crowdsAprilRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer crowds
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Mild, dryMayClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Cooler, drierJuneClear
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, drier
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Holidays, busyJulyClear
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holidays, busy
- AugustClear9 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Dry, coolAugustClear
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Dry, warmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm, quieterOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, rain returnsNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain returns
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°New Year crowdsDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
New Year crowds
Average daily high and low in Rio de Janeiro, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Rio de Janeiro State
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
Rio de Janeiro
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°22°69%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Tue30°23°61%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Wed29°22°7%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Thu36°25°27%Thursday: Rain. High 36°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Fri26°23°43%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sat31°22°65%Saturday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sun30°19°63%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 63%.
Updated 05:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Rio de Janeiro State
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- SepRock in RioRio de Janeiro, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Petrópolisabout 1.5 to 2 hours by car or busA mountain town with cooler air and the Imperial Museum, once a summer retreat for the imperial court.Read the guide
- Búziosabout 2.5 to 3 hours by carA peninsula of small beaches, boutiques and restaurants, popular since Brigitte Bardot visited in 1964.Read the guide
- Paratyabout 4 hours by roadA colonial waterfront town with cobbled streets and boat trips to nearby coves.Read the guide
Before you go to Rio de Janeiro State
Rules for Rio de Janeiro State, checked
- Check the visa or e-visa rules for your passport on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you fly.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit and check Receita Federal rules before you bring in goods.Source
- Do not buy or carry wildlife products such as turtle shell, coral or feathers; customs can seize them.
- Check yellow fever vaccination rules with a travel clinic before you go.
Plan around Rio de Janeiro State
Copacabana, Ipanema, Santa Teresa and Centro compared
Read the guideGetting around RioMetro, BRT buses, ride apps and coaches to nearby towns
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free or e-visa rules by passport
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, card fees and typical daily prices
Read the guideTours and ticketsCorcovado, Sugarloaf and day trips to book
Read the guideFestivals and eventsCarnival, New Year and the music calendar
Read the guideRio de Janeiro State FAQ
Is Rio de Janeiro State worth visiting?
Yes, for city beaches, mountain towns and colonial coast towns like Paraty. Skip it for a quiet, car-free rest in one place, since the city is busy with traffic and crowds.
When is the best time to visit Rio?
April to May and September to October bring mild weather and fewer crowds. Carnival in February is hot and very busy.
Is Rio safe for tourists?
Street theft happens, including on beaches and in transit. Stay in busy areas, use app rides at night, and keep valuables out of sight.
Do you need Portuguese in Rio?
Learn a few Portuguese phrases or use a translation app for taxis and kiosks.
Can you visit Christ the Redeemer without booking?
Book a Corcovado train slot ahead, since tickets are sold for set times. Plan a clear morning, since cloud can hide the statue.
Do you need a car in Rio de Janeiro State?
No for the city, Petrópolis or Paraty, which are reached by metro, bus or coach. A car helps for Búzios and quieter beaches outside the city.
How many days do you need in Rio?
Four or five days covers the city's main beaches and sights. Add two or three days for Petrópolis or Paraty.