What is the UV index in Rio de Janeiro today?

It changes through the day and with the weather, so there is no single fixed value. Check the live, location-accurate reading in the Suntic app. In general, Rio de Janeiro's UV peaks around midday and is strongest across November to March.

Is the sun strong in Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro pairs a famous beach culture with strong tropical sun, and summer UV regularly reaches extreme on Copacabana and Ipanema. Always match your protection to the current UV index rather than the temperature.

UV Index in Rio de Janeiro Today: Live UV & Sun Safety

Sun and UV in Rio de Janeiro

On Brazil's tropical Atlantic coast in the Southern Hemisphere, Rio gets powerful sunshine and very high to extreme midday UV across the southern summer. UV stays significant well into autumn and spring, and the city's beach-centred life means long hours in direct and reflected sun. Clear summer days can push UV to among the highest many visitors will ever experience.

When is UV highest in Rio de Janeiro?

Because Rio de Janeiro is in the Southern Hemisphere, its strongest UV falls over the southern summer: broadly November to March. As everywhere, UV peaks around solar noon, roughly 10am to 4pm. For more on this, see when is the sun strongest.

The UV index scale

UV index WHO / EPA scale

0-2Low

3-5Moderate

6-7High

8-10Very high

11+Extreme

UV index	Risk level	What to do
0-2	Low	Minimal risk. Safe to be outside; sunglasses on bright days.
3-5	Moderate	Take care at midday. Use SPF 30+, a hat and shade around noon.
6-7	High	Protection needed. SPF 30+, cover up, seek shade 10am-4pm.
8-10	Very high	Extra protection. Avoid the sun at midday; SPF, clothing and shade are essential.
11+	Extreme	Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn quickly; stay inside or fully covered at peak hours.

UV index categories follow the World Health Organization / US EPA scale.

Staying sun-safe in Rio de Janeiro

As a Southern-Hemisphere city, Rio's strongest UV runs from late spring through to autumn, peaking over Christmas and New Year.
Copacabana and Ipanema stack reflected UV off sand and sea on top of an already high index.
A climb up Sugarloaf or Corcovado means stronger UV at altitude with little shade.

Wherever you are, the basics hold: use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, seek shade around midday, cover up, and never let your skin burn. See our sunburn prevention tips.

UV in other cities

See Rio de Janeiro's live UV index

Suntic turns the live UV index into personal safe-sun times, sunscreen reminders and vitamin D tracking on your iPhone.