What's the Weather Like in Rio de Janeiro in November
Temperature
Although November is classed as autumn in Europe, it actually falls under spring in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when the weather is warm and fairly wet. During this month, the average temperature is 24°C, created by average highs of 27°C, recorded in the hottest part of the day and average lows of 21°C, recorded during the coolest part of the night.
Some visitors might find temperatures this high too much to handle and with such a small difference between daytime and evening temperatures, nightfall doesn't provide much relief. If you think daytime highs of 27°C will be too hot for you, consider visiting Rio de Janeiro in June or July, when temperatures peak at 25°C.
Rain
Rio de Janeiro is subject to a lot of rainfall across November. Over the course of the month, 96mm of precipitation falls over 13 wet days this means your chances of experiencing a shower or two are very high, so be prepared and pack accordingly. The probability of rainfall rises as the month progresses, starting off at 50% on November 1st and rising up to 56% by November 30th.
When it rains in Rio de Janeiro in November it usually starts off with a thunderstorm (which occurs on 29% of days with precipitation) which is followed by light rain (35%) and moderate rain (21%). When a rain storm falls at this time of year, it can be fairly long and drawn out, so be prepared to spend hours in the rain or inside during your Rio de Janeiro holiday in November.
Humidity
As it enjoys a tropical climate, the weather is always very humid in Rio de Janeiro. In November, the relative humidity ranges between 57% (mildly humid) and 96% (very humid), rarely falling below 38% (comfortable) or reaching as high as 100% (very humid). The air is usually both at its driest and most humid around November 1st, when the relative humidity falls below 68% (mildly humid) three days out of four and also rises above 92% (very humid).
Sunshine
On average, the sun shines for an average of six hours each day in Rio in November. Although six hours might not sound like much, compared to some southern European holiday destinations which can enjoy up to 13 sunshine hours each day, the high temperatures mean that it's warm enough for sunbathing and swimming every minute the sun is out. However, when the sun isn't shining, the sky is usually covered in a thin layer of cloud. Median cloud cover is 86% (mostly cloudy) across the month a figure which hardly varies at all between November 1st and November 30th.
Sea Temperature
The sea is always warm enough for swimming in Rio de Janeiro, whatever time of year you visit. And with an average sea temperature of 23°C, November is no exception. This makes the sea temperature is almost the same as the average air temperature, so a refreshing dip might not be the best way to cool off if the heat gets a bit too much for you.
Wind
Over the course of the month, typical wind speeds range between 0 m/s (calm) and 7 m/s (moderate breeze), rarely rising above 9 m/s (fresh breeze). The highest average wind speed of 15 m/s (high wind) happens around November 1st, when the average daily maximum wind speed is 7 m/s (moderate breeze).
At the other end of the scale, the lowest average wind speed of 3 m/s (light breeze) happens around November 16th, when the average daily maximum is 7 m/s (moderate breeze). The wind is most often coming in from a southeasterly direction or an easterly direction and is typically strongest during the first week of the month.
People who are looking to visit Rio in the near future are encouraged to check out our weather forecast on this page.
Hotels for Rio de Janeiro in November
Argentina Hotel
Located in the Flamengo neighbourhood, one of Rio de Janeiro's most historic districts, the Argentina Hotel is a great option when it comes to affordable accommodation in the city. This hotel prides itself on tradition, comfort and superb service and has kept its doors open to guests since the 1930s. Thanks to its location in the city centre, the Argentina Hotel provides a great base from which to explore Rio de Janeiro's biggest and best attractions, including Sugarloaf Mountain with Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach.
Accommodation here comes in the form of double, twin and quad rooms, each of which is equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV, internet access and a small fridge. Onsite you'll find the Azafrán Restaurant which specialises in Brazilian and international a la carte dishes Monday to Saturday and a huge international buffet every Sunday.
Orla Copacabana Hotel
If you'd rather stay close to the beach, consider staying at Orla Copacabana Hotel. Located just a six-minute walk from Ipanema Beach, this hotel offers 115 modern guestrooms divided between standard, superior, deluxe and master suite categories. Each standard room is decorated in neutral black, white and grey tones and offers free Wi-Fi access, air-conditioning, cable TV and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. Superior guestrooms come with the same amenities, but are slightly larger, deluxe rooms feature ocean views, whilst master suites are decorated more luxuriously and boast a huge king-size bed.
Most hotels in Rio de Janeiro are high-rises and the Orla Copacabana Hotel is no exception. But instead of cutting down in facilities, this hotel placed them all on the roof terrace, which is where you'll find the heated swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness centre. There is also the Lobby Bar where you can enjoy an alcoholic drink or coffee, plus one international restaurant.
Windsor Copa Hotel
For something more top end, take a look at the Windsor Copa Hotel. Situated in Copacabana, within easy walking distance of the beach and the subway station, this hotel offers a small selection of facilities, including a fitness centre on the 12th floor which overlooks Copacabana beach, one restaurant which serves a la carte dishes in the evening and an international buffet for breakfast.
Don't let the lack of facilities put you off because of Windsor Copa Hotel's central location, you'll find loads of bars, restaurants, clubs, shops and water sports just a short walk away. Guests can stay in a total of 146 guestrooms, each of which has cable TV, Wi-Fi access and air-conditioning. Some of the guestrooms are larger than others and offer great views of the city from the balconies.
Rio Othon Palace Hotel
Rio Othon Palace Hotel is another hotel located just back from the Copacabana beach, along which you'll find a wealth of nightclubs, restaurants, bars, shops, art fairs, cinemas and theatres for great entertainment day or night. This large hotel boasts 572 comfortable rooms divided between ten different categories, ranging from superior rooms at the bottom end and deluxe premium rooms at the top. Each contemporarily designed room boasts air-conditioning, cable TV and high-speed Wi-Fi access.
Many of the more luxurious room categories come with private balconies and city or beach views. One of the best parts of the Rio Othon Palace Hotel is the restaurant. Located on the third floor of the hotel, this restaurant boasts incredible sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows and is complemented by the outdoor Skylab Bar. There is also a rooftop swimming pool which offers similarly spectacular sea views.
Beaches for November for Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema Beach
With average highs of 27°C, November is a great month to spend a day at the beach and Ipanema Beach is one of the best in Rio. This beach is internationally renowned for being full of beautiful tanned bodies but that's just one part of it. Ipanema Beach is actually divided into different sections one where the beautiful people hang out, one full of hippies and artists, one for the gay society, one for the local kids, one for surfers, one for sports lovers and one for families.
So whatever kind of experience you're after, you're sure to get it here! The beach as a whole is comprised of soft golden sands and beautiful aquamarine waters which are more often rough than calm so make sure you only swim when it looks safe enough. The constant swells help keep the water and the sand much cleaner than Copacabana beach, but also creates dangerous swimming conditions. Local sellers march up and down the beach throughout the day, selling beer, soft drinks, fruit and snacks, so you'll never go hungry or thirsty.
Praia da Barra da Tijuca
Praia da Barra da Tijuca is the longest beach in Rio, stretching on for a staggering 18 kilometres. The first few kilometres of the eastern side of the beach are lined with seafood restaurants and bars, giving you plenty of options when it comes to lunch. The beach here is made up of soft golden sands and although the turquoise waters may look enticing, the sea is usually too rough for swimming in.
On the other hand, the strong waves create the ideal conditions for all kinds of water sports, including body boarding, kite surfing, regular surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle and even fishing. Since swimming is usually out of the question, most people stick to the sand to have fun, where games of football, volleyball, racquetball and footvolleyball regularly take place.
Restaurants and Bars for Rio de Janeiro in November
Olympe Restaurant
If you're in the mood for a sophisticated dinner, make a reservation at Olympe Restaurant. Open for lunch between noon and 4pm and again for dinner between 7.30pm and 00.30am, this French- and Brazilian-inspired restaurant offers a fusion a la carte menu with delicious choices such as sautéed lamb with crispy potatoes, fillet of grouper with caramelised bananas and giant shrimp risotto with white truffle oil.
For a more gourmet experience, opt for the tasting menu comprised of small portions of the chef's favourite dishes or the creativity menu which allows you to build your own tasting menu. To complement your meal, there is a fantastic wine list available, with a huge selection of red, white and rose wines as well as champagnes from countries all over the world.
L'atelier du Cuisinier
If you can't get a reservation at Olympe Restaurant, try L'Atelier du Cuisinier. Open from noon until 3pm Monday to Friday and located in downtown Rio, this eatery is very similar to Olympe Restaurant in that it combines French and Brazilian flavours but it's usually easier to get into.
This small, intimate restaurant seats 24 guests and is best known for its epicurean set menus and three-course set meals which change according to which products are seasonally available. One of the most popular dishes available year-round is the trio of desserts, which is definitely worth ordering if you've got a sweet tooth.
Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro in November
Barra Shopping Mall
With the festive period rapidly approaching, November is a great time to pick up some Christmas gifts for friends and family back home, or even just splash out on a treat for yourself. The Barra district is known as being the shopping capital of Rio de Janeiro, particularly the Barra Shopping Mall.
The huge complex was founded in 1981 and today includes more than 700 clothing stores, electronics shops, perfume counters, sporting goods stores, music and movie stores and much more. There's also a range of eateries within the complex which offer everything from fast food and typical Brazilian cuisine to small snacks and international buffets.
Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
The Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful and important theatres in Brazil, found in the centre of the city in Cinelândia. Built in 1909, this theatre is the city's main venue for performing arts, where dance, opera, symphony and theatre performances are held all-year-round. The official event season only runs from March to December, which makes November one of the final months you can bag a ticket.
Not only is the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro a great place to catch a cultural show, but it's a wonderful place to visit in its own right, regardless of what's being performed. The inside of the theatre is as luxurious as the outside, with Henrique Bernardelli sculptures and Rodolfo Amoedo paintings, whilst the basement restaurant Assírius is known for its impressive Assyrian decor.
