Best Time To Visit Quito

What Is The Best Time To Visit Quito?

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is an absolute must-see if passing through South America. Sitting at an elevation of about 9,350 feet, it is one of the highest cities in the world, providing spectacular mountainous views. Quito was the first ever city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978 due to its immense beauty, culture, and architecture.

The best time to visit Quito, Ecuador is between June and September to enjoy great weather. Take full advantage of what this capital of Ecuador has to offer such as city tours, hiking, and day trips during the dry season.

There is a lot to see in Quito. Some of the most memorable attractions that any traveler to the city should do are exploring the cobblestone streets of Quito Old Town, riding the cable car for amazing aerial views, and touring the immaculate architecture of the city’s churches.

Quito is a year-round travel destination, due to its unique location so close to the world’s equator. This means that there are pleasant temperatures no matter which time of the year you travel. However, for the best travel conditions, it is best to visit during their dry season between June and November. 

Average Temperature In Quito, Ecuador

Since Quito is located so close to the equator, the city, along with the rest of Ecuador, does not experience the traditional four seasons like much of the rest of the world does. This makes packing for visiting Quito a breeze because you can feel secure that you will not have to dress for different extremes in weather. Prepare to experience temperatures varying from a high of 65°F to a low of 48°F.

The largest change in temperature that you would experience in a day in Quito would be between day and nighttime, as temperatures are quite cold until the afternoon sun sets in around 12 PM. Although Quito doesn’t experience traditional seasons in terms of temperature, it does experience two distinctly different seasons for precipitation.

Daily Chance Of Precipitation In Quito, Ecuador

The rainy season in Quito, where the city gets the most rainfall, is between December and May. During this time, you can expect to receive between five to seven inches of rain in a given month.

The wettest month of the year is in April, with an average of 22 days of precipitation over 0.04 inches and an average chance of precipitation of 76%. Visiting during the wet season can still be enjoyable, if you pack accordingly and always remember to leave your accommodation with an umbrella and a rain jacket.

The dry season in Quito is from June to November. During this season, the city receives about two to four inches of rain per month. The driest month of the year is August, with an average of 4 days of precipitation over 0.04 inches and average chance of precipitation of about 10%. It is still smart to pack rain gear for the possibility of an occasional rainfall during this time.

Humidity Comfort Levels In Quito, Ecuador

In comparison to other countries, Quito is a relatively humid city. Humidity rates differ greatly based on if it is the dry or wet season. The more precipitation the city receives, the higher the average humidity rate is. Humidity in Quito overall is not overbearing.

On average, the humidity percentage over the course of a year is about 78%. The wet season yields the highest overall humidity. April is the most humid month, with about a 85% humidity rate. The dry season has the lowest humidity. August is the least humid month, with an average of a 69% humidity rate.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Quito, Ecuador For Great Weather

Even though Quito is known as a year-long travel destination, if you want to take full advantage of what the city has to offer, it is a no-brainer to visit during its dry season. Here, you can enjoy in outdoor activities such as city tours, hiking, and day trips.

The peak months of great weather are between June and September. This period is a great time to visit, as you don’t have to worry about getting rained out at any given moment, and you will fully enjoy panoramic views without fog or rain clouds.

Although the weather is warm and dry during the day, nighttime temperatures during the dry season are still low. This is important to keep in mind before your trip to pack accordingly. Even during the warm and dry season, be sure to pack plenty of layers which you can add and remove depending on the temperature changes.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Quito, Ecuador For Low Prices

Since the cost of living in Quito is relatively low in comparison to other countries and it has a very stable climate throughout the year, there is not a huge price difference in visiting during different seasons.

However, if you want to make sure that you lock in the cheapest rates possible for a trip to Quito, the best time of the year to go is during non-vacation periods between September and May. This allows you to avoid raised prices due to a large influx of tourists on summer or Christmas break.

You’ll also find that prices are generally lower during Quito’s rainy season between December and May. This is because the weather is not the most ideal for tourism like it is in the dry season, so you can get some preferable rates.

You will have to endure rainy days and pack extra rain gear but visiting Quito during this time will still not fail to amaze. Although you may not have full access to everything that Quito has to offer due to some inclement weather you will experience, you will still be able to take advantage of all the indoor activities the city has to offer such as museums, indoor markets, and beautiful churches, that you can explore without getting wet.

A chilly rainy day is also a great opportunity to try a hot Canelazo, a traditional alcoholic citrus drink that you can find from many street vendors.

Peak Travel Season In Quito, Ecuador

Peak season in Quito aligns more with the vacation periods of tourists rather than the climate of the country. This means that you can expect the highest number of tourists, primarily coming from the United States and Europe, to visit Quito between mid-June and early September and from late December to early January. Although hotel and hostel rate may be higher during this time due to the higher influx of visitors, it is rare to not find availability. 

Being in Quito with large amounts of tourists doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s the best time of the year to take advantage of the city’s nightlife and meet new people – locals and tourists alike. One little-known fact about Quito is that it has a booming craft beer scene thanks to the generations of expat communities in the city. This is a great opportunity to try a wide assortment of artisanal craft beers from all over the world.

Visiting Quito during the peak summer season between June and September is also preferrable for the weather, as these are the city’s driest months. Temperature is consistent with the other months of the year, so you won’t experience any relatively warmer days during this season than other seasons. However, the scarcity of rain makes it favorable to move around the city and generally be outside without a high possibility of getting rained on and wet.

If you want to take advantage of exploring other parts of Ecuador, primarily the Galapagos Islands, make sure to book your cruise, tour, or transportation well in advance. This is because it is also peak season for travel to the Galapagos, and there is far more demand to visit the islands than Quito.

The peak season also falls during Ecuadorian Independence Day on August 10^th. The streets of the capital city are lined with parades, color, music, and cultural exhibitions. This is a must-see if you are in Quito during this time, as it is an important national holiday to Ecuadorians, and you can observe the authentic pride that locals have for their country.

Shoulder Travel Season In Quito, Ecuador

Shoulder season in Quito is before and after the high season of summer, around May and October. These are great periods to visit if you want to take in the wonders of Quito while experiencing the transition seasons between the dry and rainy season. Tourism is also still somewhat steady during these times, so you have a better chance of meeting other fellow travelers than during the low season.

Visiting in October will also give you the opportunity to observe the day of Independence of Guayaquil on October 9^th. This is an important national holiday in Ecuador which celebrates the independence of Guayaquil, a large commercial city which is the country’s main international port. Guayaquil is very accessible to travel to via an airplane flight of about an hour from Quito.

Low Travel Season In Quito, Ecuador

The same as peak season, low season in Quito aligns when tourists are least likely to vacation, which is between the months of February and May. This season also falls during the wet season in Ecuador, so many attractions will not be as populated due to more frequent rainfall.

Take advantage of low tourist crowds by exploring all of the photo-worthy squares, plazas, and cobblestone streets and take photos with few people surrounding you. A great place to visit which will have few tourists in the low season is El Pancecillo, or Bread Loaf Hill.

At the top, you can find a small row of souvenir stands and have a snack or something to drink. The most spectacular sight is the the enormous statue of the Virgin of Quito. You’ll also get incredible panoramic views of the entire city of Quito.

If you are an adventurous traveler and want to explore more of Ecuador, low season is a great time to hop on a domestic flight and check out the Galapagos Islands. This is the best time of the year for snorkeling and scuba diving due to cooler water temperatures.

It’s also the best time of year to see some unique wildlife to the islands, such as the Blue-footed Booby. This season is the lower season for the Galapagos, meaning that you won’t have to compete with other travelers for accommodation, tours, and crowds.

Best Months For Travel To Quito, Ecuador

If you are looking for a South American country full of culture, good food, and beautiful architecture, don’t look any further than Quito, Ecuador. It has a diversity of attractions for every traveler, with proximity to the world-renowned Galapagos Islands.

Only a short drive away is Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, or Middle of the World City, where you can stand in the exact equatorial line separating the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

Quito is also known for its reasonable prices, making it accessible to the cheapest budget traveler. An exploratory day in the city can cost you a fraction of the amount than another popular destination.

Quito is a unique city in the world where a casual stroll along the street can turn into an interesting adventure where you can find unique street food, hospitable locals, and quaint cobblestone streets. You will find yourself getting lost in the charm and wonder of Quito, which is surrounded by a vast and colorfully lined mountain scape.