Climate and Weather in Ecuador
How is the weather in Ecuador?
With four jaw-droppingly distinct biomes all in one small country, exploring Ecuador is truly a great experience. As you prepare for your Ecuador vacation, here’s some important information about the weather.
Geographically, Ecuador sits right on the equator, between 2° North Latitude and 5° South Latitude and shares borders with Colombia to the north, Peru to the southeast, and the western Pacific coast.
Because of its central location on the globe, there are about 12 hours of daylight year-round. The time zone of the mainland is UTC: -05:00, and one hour behind at UTC: -06:00 in the Galapagos Islands.
The towering Andes Mountains, which split the country in two parts, have a big impact on the weather, and conditions vary largely depending on altitude. Other factors that influence the weather in Ecuador are the infrequent El Niño/ La Niña phenomena.
There are only two seasons that Ecuador experiences – Summer extends from June to September and is the dry season; Winter goes from October through May and usually brings with it warmer temperatures, rain showers, and higher humidity.
Although there are factors that can affect the climate, the weather in Ecuador is fairly consistent:
- Along the coast and the Galapagos Islands, you can expect a humid subtropical climate.
- In the Andes, it is mostly dry & sunny, but can get pretty chilly at higher altitudes.
- The Amazon features humid weather characteristic of a rainforest.
Weather in Quito
In the capital of Ecuador, Quito, the weather can change quickly, so it’s always best to be prepared for a surprising shift in the weather. Many people assume that Quito is a hot city because of its proximity to the equator (just 25km away). However, due to the city’s altitude of 2,800m (9252ft) above sea level, the weather ranges from warm, sunny days to cold or windy temperatures mixed with rain.
The average yearly temperature in Quito is 65°F during the day and 55°F at night, with a daily high around 78° at noon.
We recommend having a rain jacket with you and using SPF 30-50 sunscreen, even if it is raining or cloudy. Because of the city’s position close to the equator, the sun rays are more intense and direct.
Monthly – Weather Averages Summary
| Month by Month Average Temperatures – FAHRENHEIT | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Temperature | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
| Average High Temperature | 67 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 66 |
| Average Low Temperature | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 51 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 50 |
| Month by Month Average Temperatures – CENTIGRADE | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Temperature | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Average High Temperature | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
| Average Low Temperature | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
How is the weather in Guayaquil?
If you are planning to visit Guayaquil, Ecuador’s biggest city, here are some things to consider. Foremost, Guayaquil’s coastal location at sea level guarantees gorgeous, warm, and occasionally humid temperatures all year round.
The temperature varies from 77°F to 90°F, depending on the season. During the dry season (June-September) Guayaquil experiences cooler temperatures. This weather attracts whales and dolphins to the coastal waters, making it an ideal time to plan a whale watching excursion, especially in the Galapagos Islands.
On the other hand, during the wet season (from December to May), you will have sunnier mornings and hotter temperatures with occasional rain showers in the afternoon that help cool things down. Using SPF 30-50 sunscreen in the coastal region is imperative to prevent sun burns.
Monthly – Weather Averages Summary
| Month by Month Average Temperatures – FAHRENHEIT | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Temperature | 80 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 81 | 78 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 81 |
| Average High Temperature | 86 | 88 | 87 | 89 | 89 | 87 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 85 | 86 | 88 |
| Average Low Temperature | 72 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 |
| Month by Month Average Temperatures – CENTIGRADE | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Temperature | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Average High Temperature | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Average Low Temperature | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Galapagos Travel Guide
Information On Each Important Galapagos Island
Here's the top islands and visitor spots that you don't want to miss when you visit the Galapagos Islands
Information On Each Important Galapagos Island
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Fernandina Island
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Santiago Island
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When to Visit the Galapagos Islands
When is the best time to go to the Galapagos? There is no best time really. Any time is great to visit, but it's helpful to know the basics of Galapagos' climate and other variables such as wildlife activities and tourist high and low seasons in order to pick just the right time of year that will feature the things you wish to see and do.
Planning Galapagos Tours and Cruises from Quito
With all of the excitement and enthusiasm for your Galapagos vacation, don’t forget that mainland Ecuador is worth planning a couple of days of exploring. Quito is the country’s capital and second-largest city, right behind Guayaquil.
Galapagos Land Tour vs Cruise
No matter how you explore the Galapagos Islands - by land or by sea - you are guaranteed an excellent vacation, full of exciting activities, natural exploration, and the flora & fauna that have earned the Galapagos its identity as a natural laboratory of evolution.
Galapagos Cruise or Land-Based Island-Hopping Tour
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Family Trips to the Galapagos
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New Galapagos Tortoise Species Discovered
Researchers have confirmed a new species of giant Galapagos tortoise that was previously believed to be part of a second species on Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos.
Why Book With Columbus Travel?
When you book a Galapagos trip with Columbus Travel, you are assured:
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