Salvador da Bahia or Rio de Janeiro in February?
On climate data, Rio de Janeiro comes out ahead overall in February. See the per-criterion details below.
Salvador da BahiaPhoto: Sturm · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Jens Hausherr from Hamburg, Deutschland · CC BY-SA 2.0Key figures in February
| Criterion | Salvador da Bahia | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 31 °C | 29 °C |
| Average daily low | 25 °C | 24 °C |
| Sea | 28 °C ★ | 25 °C |
| Rainy days | 15 rainy days (est.) ★ | 16 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 8 h/day ★ | 7 h/day |
| Humidity | 75 % | 83 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Salvador da Bahia is about 2 °C warmer by day.
- The sea at Salvador da Bahia is about 3 °C warmer.
Salvador da Bahia or Rio de Janeiro in February: the short answer
In February, Rio de Janeiro comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Salvador da Bahia 60/100 vs Rio de Janeiro 67/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on February as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Salvador da Bahia averages a climate score of 65/100, Rio de Janeiro 73/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in February, side by side
The average daily high is about 31 °C in Salvador da Bahia and 29 °C in Rio de Janeiro — warmer in Salvador da Bahia. Average daily lows are around 25 °C versus 24 °C.
On rain, Salvador da Bahia sees about 15 rainy days in February and Rio de Janeiro about 16 — drier in Salvador da Bahia. Salvador da Bahia gets more sunshine (8 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In February the water is about 28 °C at Salvador da Bahia and 25 °C at Rio de Janeiro — warmer for swimming at Salvador da Bahia. Over the year, Salvador da Bahia is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Rio de Janeiro in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is March for Salvador da Bahia and March for Rio de Janeiro.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Salvador da Bahia records roughly 204 rainy days and Rio de Janeiro about 174 — the drier of the two overall is Rio de Janeiro. At their sunniest, Salvador da Bahia reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (January) and Rio de Janeiro about 7 (February). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Salvador da Bahia is at its best in August, September, October and December, while Rio de Janeiro peaks in May, June, July and August. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the February scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Rio de Janeiro scores higher in February (Salvador da Bahia 73 vs Rio de Janeiro 82).
City breaks: Rio de Janeiro scores higher in February (Salvador da Bahia 54 vs Rio de Janeiro 60).
Active & hiking: Rio de Janeiro scores higher in February (Salvador da Bahia 41 vs Rio de Janeiro 43).
Family: Rio de Janeiro scores higher in February (Salvador da Bahia 63 vs Rio de Janeiro 71).
Verdict: which should you pick?
In February, Rio de Janeiro leads across every scored category here — the overall score and each travel type — so on the climate data it is the clearer pick this month. Over the year, Rio de Janeiro carries the higher overall climate score. Your own priority (sun, sea, low rain or sightseeing comfort) still matters, and the month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.