Weather in Quito, Ecuador: What’s The Best Time To Travel

On the top of Telerefiqo in Quito

Quito, Ecuador has a moderate to subtropical mountain climate. Temperatures are moderate and spring-like all year, with a dry season from June to mid-September, which is more noticeable in the city’s northern outskirts. Fog may occur at any time of year, especially at night and in the early morning.

Since Quito’s average annual temperature is 15°C (59°F), there is never a bad time to visit this Ecuadorian city. The Andes Mountains‘ position greatly affects the city’s weather patterns.

The winter months of June, July, and August are the most popular times to travel to Quito since the weather is pleasant, bright, and dry with minimal wind or rain. 

The rainy season in summer during the months of December through March deters some people from taking city walks. Throughout the year, keep in mind that it might be cool at night, especially when a cold front comes through.

How Altitude Affects the Weather

Quito historic centre

Quito is located at an elevation of almost a mile above sea level. Aside from the tremendous height, it is surrounded by mountains. Because of the great height and neighboring mountains, the weather might change abruptly at any time. It’s fairly unusual for a thunderstorm to appear out of nowhere.

Weather Tips When Traveling to Quito

  • If you want to avoid rainy days in Quito, you should go between June and September.
  • It may rain a lot in Quito from October to May, with the heaviest rain falling in March and April.
  • Temperatures in Quito do not fluctuate significantly throughout the year. The rain – and the resultant humidity levels – do fluctuate.
  • Quito gets a steady 12.5 hours of daylight every year due to its equatorial position.
  • I would recommend taking ChlorOxygen 1-2 weeks ahead of the trip so it’s easier to deal with high altitudes.

Best Time to Travel to Quito

Middle of the world from the top

Middle of the Earth from the top, Quito, Ecuador

Although the weather in Quito fluctuates little, there are certainly better days to visit than others. Consider coming from June to September to avoid rain and the possibility of heavy rainstorms. We were there at the end of September and we never caught the rain.

If you like rain, the rainy season lasts from October to May, with the heaviest rain falling in March and April. And, while the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year, the humidity and volume of rain do.

Quito, Ecuador is a lovely city rich in culture and charm. Although you may expect temperate weather when visiting and exploring the city, don’t forget to bring an umbrella. Check the best things to do in Quito in our previous article.



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About the author

Oleg Galeev

I'm Oleg, and together with my wife, we've explored Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, journeying through more than 20 cities (Quito, Cuenca, Banos, Tena, Puyo, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Otavalo, Mindo and more) and nearly every island in the Galapagos (including iconic ones such as Bartolome Island, San Cristobal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island and more). In this blog, I give you my real thoughts about each place we visited. This info can help anyone planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands or mainland Ecuador. I'm just a traveler, not a tour company, so I'm not trying to sell anything. That means I'll tell you the truth—both the good and the bad — about traveling in Ecuador based on what we experienced.

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