Welcome to your Rio de Janeiro daily guide for Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — the last day of March. The MAR runs its free Tuesday from 11h to 18h: No Martins: Sortilégios de desvio, the 36th Bienal de São Paulo, and Guilhermina Augusti — three exhibitions at zero cost. The CCBB is closed today (its weekly day off), so the MAR and MAM anchor the cultural calendar. At the MAM, Daniel Buren’s Voile/Toile sails continue through April 12. Vetores-Vertentes closed last night — the CCBB’s next headline is Viva Mauricio through April 13. On the markets, Monday reversed two sessions of losses: the Ibovespa rose 0.53% to 182,514 on Petrobras and Vale strength. The dollar held at R$5.24. The Focus survey raised the 2026 IPCA forecast to 4.31%.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily Rio de Janeiro daily guide coverage for expats and the international community.
01Weather & What to WearFORECAST
A cooler Tuesday at 25°C with 29% rain — a light jacket and umbrella for the MAR free day. The week warms quickly: 28°C Wednesday, 30°C Thursday, 31°C Friday. Good Friday will be hot but with 35% rain — plan indoor activities for the holiday.
02Day at a GlanceSNAPSHOT
Tuesday is the MAR’s free day — the best-value museum visit of the week. With the CCBB closed, the MAR and the Zona Sul gallery circuit carry the programme. No Martins opened Saturday and is drawing strong early interest.
03What to See & DoCULTURE
Museums & Exhibitions
MAR — Free Tuesday
Three exhibitions at zero cost. No Martins: Sortilégios de desvio — the first institutional solo for the painter of Black Brazilian life (opened Saturday, drawing strong early crowds). The 36th Bienal de São Paulo itinerance (19 artists exploring encounter and diversity). Guilhermina Augusti‘s first institutional solo. Free entry all day.
Praça Mauá 5, Centro. Tue 11h–18h (last entry 17h). Free today. Closed Wednesdays. Metrô: Uruguaiana → VLT Parada dos Museus.
MAM Rio — Daniel Buren Voile/Toile
Eleven vertical-striped Optimist sails hung in finishing order — the French artist’s first Brazilian presentation. Through April 12 — two weeks remaining. The sculpture garden and permanent collection are also open. Free admission.
Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85, Parque do Flamengo. Tue–Sat 10h–18h, Sun 10h–18h. Free. Metrô: Cinelândia or Largo do Machado.
Galleries
Also Open Today
Galeria Mercedes Viegas (Jardim Botânico): solo show, Tue–Fri 12h–19h. Galeria IBEU (Jardim Botânico): 13 artists group show, Mon–Thu 13h–19h. Museu Histórico da Cidade (Gávea): Leminski group show, 34 artists, Tue–Sun 9h–16h, free. Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim (Ipanema): chromatic paintings, Tue–Sun 13h–19h, free.
04Getting AroundTRANSPORT
For the MAR: Metrô Line 1 to Uruguaiana → VLT to Parada dos Museus. The MAR is a two-minute walk from the VLT stop. With the CCBB closed today, the VLT corridor is quieter than usual.
Gallery circuit: For the Jardim Botânico galleries (Mercedes Viegas + IBEU), Metrô Line 1 to Botafogo or bus to Jardim Botânico. Combine with Laura Alvim in Ipanema — a short bus ride or walk along the coast.
05Where to EatFOOD
Centro: After the MAR, Travessa do Comércio and Rua do Ouvidor for traditional carioca botequins. The MAR café serves light meals. Rua do Mercado has newer options.
Jardim Botânico circuit: Combine the Mercedes Viegas and IBEU gallery visits with lunch on Rua J.J. Seabra — the neighbourhood’s restaurant scene continues to expand.
06Practical InfoESSENTIALS
Focus survey update: The weekly Banco Central Focus survey raised the 2026 IPCA forecast from 4.17% to 4.31% — approaching the 4.5% ceiling of the tolerance band. The 2027 and 2028 forecasts also rose. The war’s oil-price impact is now fully embedded in inflation expectations.
Diesel subsidy: The government’s medida provisória formalising the diesel price subsidy is expected today or tomorrow, following the Finance Ministry’s Friday confirmation. IGP-M turned positive in March at +0.52% (from −0.73% in February), signalling the oil shock is reaching wholesale prices.
07Community & LifestyleEXPAT LIFE
Free Tuesday trail: MAR (Praça Mauá, 11h, free) → walk to MAM in Parque do Flamengo (free) → bus or Metrô to Jardim Botânico → Mercedes Viegas + IBEU galleries → walk to Laura Alvim (Ipanema, free). Four institutions and three galleries — nearly all free.
End of March: The ExpoRio and Vetores-Vertentes are now closed. The cultural calendar shifts to the museum corridor (MAR + CCBB + MAM) and the Zona Sul gallery circuit. April brings the Brasileirão return (Round 9 tomorrow) and Semana Santa.
08Game DaySPORT
No Brasileirão fixtures today. Round 9 begins tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1) with Thursday fixtures on April 2. Palmeiras and São Paulo lead the table on 16 points. Full standings at The Rio Times sports coverage.
09Business & MarketsFINANCE
Monday close: Ibovespa +0.53% to 182,514 — reversing two sessions of losses. Petrobras and Vale led the recovery as oil stayed above US$100. Brava Energia surged 5%+ on new drilling campaign. WEG gained nearly 5% on battery storage factory announcement. Dollar held at R$5.24 (+0.12%). In New York: Dow +0.11%, S&P 500 −0.39%, Nasdaq −0.73%. March decline: ~3.3%. YTD: +12.68%.
Context: Selic at 14.75%. Focus IPCA 2026 raised to 4.31% (from 4.17%). IGP-M March +0.52%. Services confidence fell to 88.4. Focus year-end: Selic 12.25%, dollar R$5.50. Next Copom: April 28–29. Sexta-feira Santa April 3 (B3 closed). For full analysis, see today’s Brazil Morning Call.
10Plan AheadCOMING UP
Wed Apr 1: MAR closed (Wednesday). CCBB reopens with Viva Mauricio. Brasileirão Round 9 begins. 28°C, 20% rain.
Thu Apr 2: Brasileirão Round 9 Thursday fixtures. MAR and MAM open. 30°C, 20% rain.
Fri Apr 3: Sexta-feira Santa — public holiday. Markets and B3 closed. MAR, MAM, CCBB maintain normal hours. 31°C.
Apr 12: Daniel Buren Voile/Toile closes at the MAM.
Apr 13: Viva Mauricio closes at the CCBB. Apr 28–29: Next Copom meeting.
Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief — your Rio de Janeiro daily guide — Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Published for residents and visitors. All times in Brasília time (BRT, UTC-3). Weather: open-source API. Culture: MAR, MAM Rio, CCBB, Riotur. Markets: B3, Banco Central. Sport: CBF.
Related coverage: Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief — Monday, March 30 | São Paulo Daily Brief — Monday, March 30 | Brazil’s Morning Call