Best Time to Visit Ecuador

Two cities, two climates

Ecuador's weather depends more on where you stand than on the month. Quito sits high in the Andes, so the days are mild and the evenings are cool. Guayaquil is on the hot coast, and it feels like it.

Quito is best from July to September, when it's driest and the volcano views are clearest. September is also its warmest month at 19°C, which still feels spring-like. March is the wettest, with 175 mm. Rain usually arrives in the afternoon, so plan the Old Town and the Teleférico cable car for the morning.

Guayaquil is best in May and June. The wet season has finished, and the air feels less heavy. By September it hits 38°C, so a walk along the Malecón 2000 waterfront is only pleasant early or after sunset. February is the wettest month there, with 201 mm. Streets can flood, so don't count on a tight schedule.

Seasons and the Galápagos

Think of it as a dry season and a wet season. In the Andes the dry months run roughly June to September. On the coast the rains fall early in the year, and the rest is drier.

Heading to the Galápagos Islands? Those are reached by flight from Quito or Guayaquil. The sea is cooler and the air is drier from about June to November, and wildlife is easy to see year-round. We don't have island weather data here, so check that before you book.

Holidays and crowds

High season is June to September, matching school holidays in Europe and North America. December and early January are busy too, with Ecuadorians travelling home. Quito's Old Town fills for Semana Santa, the Easter week, with its purple-robed Good Friday procession.

Carnival, in February or early March, means water fights, especially in highland towns. It's fun, but you'll get wet. Shops and buses can also be packed on long weekends.

If you hate crowds, aim for the edges of the dry season. May and early June suit both cities well.