Ecuador may be small in comparison to the large continent of South America, but its access to the Amazon Rainforest, Galapagos Islands cruise options, and interesting indigenous culture attract tourists every year to the county. Its diverse landscapes mean you can experience just about every type of weather.
Because the country lies on the equator, the whole of Ecuador experiences 12 hours of daylight every day of the year. Generally, the weather is mild all year round and usually only defined by the rainfall it receives and the altitude you are staying at. From mountains and beaches to rainforests and jungles, Ecuador has a number of landscapes that offer varying temperatures and climates.
Ecuador has notoriously unpredictable seasons, so the only thing you can be sure of is that the higher you go in Ecuador, the cooler and more unpredictable it will be. Ecuador generally has two seasons, a wet and a dry one. The seasons, as with the rest of the region, are generally defined by how much rainfall the area receives.
The average temperature in the coastal region of Ecuador is around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), in the Andes region the temperature is around 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) and the Amazon region is usually around 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
View Of El Panecillo In The Center Of Quito
The city of Quito is surrounded by the Andes Mountains and highlands and is the second-highest capital city in the world. This has some impact on its weather, the altitude affects the climate so much that the city can occasionally even experience snow!
The dry season usually takes place between June to September in this region, and features cool and dry conditions with bright sunny days, with temperatures reaching around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). While summer, or the wet season, runs from October to April and cooler, wet days are often experienced during this season.
However, because of the proximity to the Andes, the summer months meet with the Andean rainy season and so during this period travelers to the city can expect a lot of showers. It is recommended that you travel to Quito during the dry season as due to the altitude, it gets a little cold during the wetter months.
Most people plan their vacation to Ecuador during their breaks from school or work, this is usually between June and August and December and January. Generally, the weather resembles spring throughout the year in Quito, and as soon as the sun shines you will feel the difference, it will immediately feel like summer. However, always bring a warm sweater or jacket to the highlands region, as the higher you go the colder it will feel.
Chesnut-mandible Toucan Sitting On The Branch In Tropical Rain
The Amazon region of Ecuador is usually hot and humid all year round, with temperatures ranging from 79 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees (26 – 35 degrees Celsius). The dry season runs from December to March and is usually cooler than the wet season. The Ecuadorian Amazon is located right on the equator, and so while the dry season may be slightly drier than the wet season, with some rivers drying up, the forests actually never completely dry out during this season and rain showers often still occur. As a result, the type of jungle in Ecuador is very specific to the region and consists of almost entirely moist-dependent animals and plant life.
The slightly warmer rainy season in Ecuador usually starts in March and finishes in July/August time. Thunderstorms are most likely to occur in April, throughout Ecuador the weather will however vary, and the Galapagos will be cooler with drier weather, in fact, and rougher seas during this season. The wet season in the Amazon usually attracts more mosquitoes and some of the tracks can be flooded and unavailable for hiking trails. The best time to visit the Amazon region is between June and August in the wet season when you will spot the most wildlife.
The Galapagos Islands Seals Are Sleeping On The Beach
While the dry season may be the best generally for visiting Ecuador, this does clash with the high season in North America, so if you are planning to visit some of Ecuador’s beaches and the Pacific Coast, the wet season can, in fact, be the best for this region. Despite the fact that you will experience a shower daily, the water will dry up very quickly for the rest of the day and you are usually guaranteed sun for the remainder of your day, which is perfect for a beach holiday. You will also save a lot of money by traveling during this period.
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