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Ecuador · tool

Best time to visit Quito

Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.

Best time to visit Quito, Ecuador

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.

MonthScoreWeatherCrowdsPricesHighlights
January
10-20°C, frequent afternoon rain showersmoderatemoderate
  • Jan Juyay (Indigenous New Year celebrations)
  • Lush green landscapes
February
10-20°C, heavy and persistent rainmoderatemoderate
  • Carnival celebrations (early March often spills over)
February is often the wettest month, impacting outdoor activities.
March
10-20°C, rain gradually decreasingmoderatemoderate
  • Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions (if it falls in March)
April
10-20°C, intermittent showers, increasing sunshinelowlow
  • Shoulder season with fewer tourists
  • Blooming flora
May
10-20°C, drier with more sunny periodslowlow
  • Pleasant temperatures for exploring
  • Pre-peak season tranquility
June
9-19°C, dry with abundant sunshinemoderatemoderate
  • Start of the dry season
  • Ideal for city and volcano exploration
  • Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) celebrations
July
9-19°C, very dry and sunnyhighhigh
  • Peak of the dry season
  • Excellent visibility for views
  • School holidays in Ecuador and North America
Expect higher crowds and prices due to northern hemisphere summer holidays.
August
9-19°C, dry with plenty of sunhighhigh
  • Continued dry season benefits
  • Clear skies for photography
  • End of northern hemisphere summer holidays
Still busy, but crowds may start to slightly decrease towards the end of the month.
September
10-20°C, transitioning to wetter, still pleasantmoderatemoderate
  • End of dry season, but still good weather
  • Fewer crowds post-summer holidays
  • Autumnal Equinox celebrations
October
10-20°C, increasing chance of rainmoderatemoderate
  • Day of the Dead preparations
  • Less crowded than peak season
November
10-20°C, frequent rain showersmoderatemoderate
  • Independence of Quito celebrations
  • Green scenery returning
December
10-20°C, afternoon rain showers commonhighhigh
  • Christmas and New Year festivities
  • Festive atmosphere in the city
Can be busy with holiday travelers and locals returning home.

Annual events worth timing your trip around

January
Jan Juyay

Indigenous New Year celebrations with traditional music and dance.

February
Carnival

A vibrant festival with water fights, parades, and music, often extending into early March.

March
Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Solemn religious processions and cultural events leading up to Easter.

June
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)

Celebration of the Inca New Year with traditional ceremonies and performances.

November
Independence of Quito

Commemorations of Quito's independence with parades, concerts, and cultural events.

December
Christmas and New Year

Festive decorations, special markets, and celebrations throughout the city.

Insider timing tips

  • Quito's equatorial location means temperature variations are minimal year-round; the main differentiator is rainfall.
  • The 'dry season' (June-September) is characterized by sunny mornings and occasional afternoon clouds, not complete absence of rain.
  • February and March are Quito's wettest months, with heavy, prolonged downpours that can significantly disrupt sightseeing.
  • While July and August offer the driest weather, they coincide with peak tourist season, leading to higher prices and crowds.
  • Local holidays, like the Independence of Quito in November, can mean some businesses close, but also bring unique city-wide festivities.

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