Quick answer: The best time to visit Ecuador is June to September and the short dry spell in December–January — the sunniest, driest months in the Andes and the country’s high season. But because Ecuador sits on the Equator, it has no summer or winter and stays mild year-round: temperature depends on altitude, not the calendar. The coast is sunniest December–April, the Amazon is a rainforest all year, and the Galápagos has its own two seasons. Browse our Ecuador tours for ideas.
Is it a good time to visit right now? Almost certainly — Ecuador is a genuine year-round destination. Rather than four seasons, each region has a wetter and a drier phase, and altitude sets the temperature: the high Andes (Quito) stay spring-like around 66°F / 19°C by day and cool at night all year, the coast is hot, and the Amazon is warm and humid.
Quito and the Andes barely change in temperature through the year; what shifts is the rain. Here is the pattern (the coast and Amazon differ — see the regional guide below):
| Month | Andes (Quito) | Rainfall (Highlands) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66°F / 19°C | Short dry spell | ★ Clear Andes; sunny coast |
| February | 66°F / 19°C | Wetter | Warm, sunny coast & beaches |
| March | 66°F / 19°C | Wet | Coast beaches; green highlands |
| April | 66°F / 19°C | Wettest (Andes) | Lush highlands; coast easing |
| May | 67°F / 19°C | Rain easing | Pleasant transition month |
| June | 66°F / 19°C | Dry season begins | ★ Andes dry; high season begins |
| July | 66°F / 18°C | Dry (breezy) | ★ Clearest Andes; peak season |
| August | 67°F / 19°C | Dry | ★ Sunny highlands; hiking |
| September | 67°F / 19°C | Dry ending | ★ Good Andes; fewer crowds |
| October | 66°F / 19°C | Rain returning | Green; quieter shoulder |
| November | 66°F / 19°C | Wetter | Andes showers; low crowds |
| December | 66°F / 19°C | Short dry spell | ★ Clear Andes; festive; coast warming |
★ = drier Andes months (the high season). See our full Ecuador weather guide for regional detail.
Planning a trip? Our things to do in Ecuador guide can help you match the season to your route.
"If you hadn't guessed by its name, Ecuador sits on the equator so there is little seasonal variation in temperature making it a year-round destination for travelers. That being said, the best time to visit Ecuador is in May when it's the tail end of the warm and rainy season and right before the tourist rush that comes from June through September. The waters around the Galapagos Islands will still be warm enough to snorkel or dive in without a wetsuit and you can even get a glimpse of the blue-footed boobies' peculiar mating dance on land!"
Martin Kaleta
Ecuador Travel Expert
From October to January, Ecuador enters a wetter and in some parts, warmer period. This is a popular time to visit and includes a number of festivals such as Independence Celebrations in October, Day of the Dead in December and of course Christmas and New Year. Late December and early January are peak holiday periods and as such some of the busiest times to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos cruises need to be booked well ahead for travel over the holidays. There are plenty of good reasons to travel to Ecuador at this time.
The Galapagos is shifting from its cool, dry season towards its warmer, wetter season. By November, the seas are calming. Around November and December in the Ecuadorian Amazon, river levels are rising which makes it a good time for a cruise. In the Andes, in common with most of the year, the weather is highly changeable: it can be raining one moment, sunny the next, and nights are cool.
Visit the Galapagos - there is always something interesting happening with the wildlife on the islands. Giant tortoises are laying eggs in October, sea lions are breeding in November and by December, some giant tortoise eggs are starting to hatch along with waved albatross. A cruise of the islands involves regular landings for guided walks, snorkeling and on some cruises the option of kayaking or diving.
Cruise the Amazon - during the high water season you can journey into remote stretches of the Amazon Basin. Take a week-long cruise to really get an in-depth feel for the beauty of the rainforest.
From March to May in Ecuador, aside from Easter this is a relatively quiet time to visit. Typically rainfall peaks in March and April both on the mainland and in the Galapagos Islands. On the mainland this is one of the coolest times of year. This is a great time to visit the Galapagos Islands for wildlife spotting, snorkeling opportunities and more! May is arguably one of the very best times to visit Ecuador as the frequency of rainfall decreases everywhere and there are not many other visitors.
While March and April are among the wettest months throughout the country, the difference is not huge and is not really a reason to avoid travel. In the Andean town of Cuenca, expect temperatures similar to the rest of the year at around 22C / 71F by day and cool nights of around 11C / 52F. In the Galapagos Islands, the water is at its warmest and calmest during these months.
Cities like Guayaquil are fantastic for strolling and sightseeing. Be sure to check out the Malecón 2000, a gorgeous boardwalk located along the Guayas River. The 2.5km walkway blends some of the cities top monuments and viewpoints and is a fantastic strolling place on warm days. This is also a good time to visit the Galapagos islands or Amazon regions for wildlife viewing. The Amazon at this time is still in its rainy season up until April and is ideal for cruising the rivers of this lush region.
July and August are the high seasons when the country is most visited. Booking in advance is recommended for trips to Ecuador during this time of the year. Temperatures are slightly cooler, especially in the Galapagos Islands. However, with the lowest rain levels of the year, this is a fantastic time for hiking around the country.
This is the driest time of year throughout Ecuador. One might expect the driest time of year to be the warmest too, but particularly in the case of the Galapagos Islands this is not the case and the islands frequently see a mist in the mornings in these months and sea is at its coolest and choppiest. These months definitely have the best weather of the year for trips focusing on the Avenue of the Volcanoes and elsewhere in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Exploring the highlands and experiencing some of the world's most unique train lines are among the top things to do in these months. While temperatures around the country begin to cool slightly, particularly along the coast, the dry climate offers perfect conditions for exploring the highlands of Ecuador. Trekking through Ecuador’s many national parks, with dramatic Andean mountain ranges and looming volcanos is a must. Without the rain, trails will be accessible, and viewpoints clear. For a relaxing and unique travel experience, explore the diverse geography of Ecuador on a historic train ride through the mainland. With services like Tren Crucero or the Chaski Antawa train, travelers will have no shortage of viewpoints and hiking opportunities
The best time to visit Ecuador is June to September and the short dry spell in December–January, when the Andes are sunniest and driest — the country's high season. That said, sitting on the Equator, Ecuador is a warm, year-round destination, so any month can work depending on which region you visit.
Not in the usual sense. On the Equator, Ecuador has no hot summer or cold winter — temperature depends on altitude, not the season. Instead, each region has a drier and a wetter phase. Locals sometimes call the drier months "summer" (verano) and the wetter months "winter" (invierno), but the temperature barely changes either way.
Aim for the drier months of June–September or December–January for the clearest skies over Quito, Cotopaxi, and the highland markets. Quito stays spring-like all year (around 66°F / 19°C by day) but nights are cool and the high-altitude sun is strong, so bring layers and sun protection.
The coast is at its best from December to April, when it is hot, sunny, and good for the beach. From June to November the coast turns cooler and greyer under the garúa sea mist — still visitable, but less bright than the highlands are in the same months.
The Amazon rewards a visit any time — it is warm and humid year-round with superb wildlife. If you prefer drier trails, the lower-rainfall window is roughly August–September. Even in wetter months the rain usually comes in short bursts, and higher water can open up more of the flooded forest by canoe.
The Galápagos has two seasons, both excellent. The warm, wet season (December–May) brings calm seas, warmer water, and great snorkelling; the cool, dry season (June–November) brings rougher seas but the richest marine life and the most active wildlife. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise comfort in the water or peak wildlife action.
More or less — Quito is often called a city of "eternal spring." Sitting high in the Andes on the Equator, it stays around 66°F / 19°C by day throughout the year, with cool nights. The main change from month to month is how much rain falls, not the temperature.
It varies by region. In the Andes the wettest months are roughly February–April and again in October–November, with drier spells in June–September and December–January. The coast is wettest (and warmest) December–April, and the Amazon sees rain all year. Even in the wet season, showers are usually short.
