Quito weather by month

Nestled in the Andes, Quito — Ecuador’s high-altitude capital — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends stunning colonial architecture and vibrant street life with dramatic volcanic scenery. Though it’s a pretty great year-round destination, read on to discover the best time to visit Quito to make the most of your stay in a city that’s likely to be highlight of your Ecuador itinerary.

When is the best time to visit Quito?

To maximise your time in this fascinating city, the best time to visit Quito is when cloud cover and rainfall are at their lowest i.e. during the June to September dry season.

Conversely, you might want to avoid the wettest months, March and April.

The period from December to February is also pleasant, with festive events and mild weather. If you’re looking to throw yourself into local culture, visit from late-November to early December when the Fiestas de Quito celebrates the founding of the city. While the main event is heln on6th December, the build-up is also worth experiencing.

For countrywide context, read up on the best time to visit Ecuador.

Month-by-month breakdown

The following breakdown of Quito weather by month will help you figure out the best time for you to visit, depending on what you most want to do. On that subject, while planning your trip, read up on the best things to do in Ecuador to help you decide. 

January 

February 

Like January, the weather in Quito in February is usually mild and sunny, with an average temperature range of 48°F to 66°F (9°C to 19°C).

Occasional rain won’t really interfere with your travel plans. And, being a shoulder season month, you’ll have more space to explore, and might get to pay less for fights and hotels, even when it comes to stays in the best accommodation in Ecuador.

March

While the weather in Quito in March remains mild, with temperatures averaging around 59°F (15°C) overall, bear in mind this is one of the wettest months around these parts.

Average rainfall comes out at 100–120 mm (4–5 inches), so think carefully about visiting in March as this might have an impact on the likes of hiking the surrounding countryside. 

April

April is typically one of the rainiest months of the year in Quito. While the city is still enjoyable, with plenty of museums to explore, it typically sees 120–150 mm (4.7–6 inches) of rainfall through the month, with frequent afternoon and/or evening showers. 

Mornings are often clearer, so plan outdoor activities for early in the day.

At the same time, thanks to its equatorial location and high altitude, Quito enjoys mild, spring-like temperatures year-round, with April seeing daytime highs of 64 to 68°F (18 to 20°C), and night-time lows ranging from 48 to 50°F (9–10°C).

May

May is a transitional month in Quito, marking the end of the rainy season and a move to drier weather. 

While you may still encounter occasional showers — usually in the afternoon — May heralds more dry, sunny hours than March and April, with an average daytime temperature range of 64 to 68°F (18 to 20°C).

Also a shoulder-season month for tourism, May adds up to being a pretty good time to visit, especially if you’re on a budget.

June

The weather in Quito in June heralds temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), and decreased rainfall.

July

July is the beginning of a peak season for tourism in Quito, and visitors tend to flock here at the start of trip itineraries covering more of the best places in Ecuador. 

As for the weather in Quito in July, expect it to be mild and often sunny, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C).

It’s also dry, and sees 1-2 inches (25-50 mm) of rainfall through the month.

August

August falls during the June to September dry season, and is one of the sunniest and most pleasant times to explore the city and surrounding Andean highlands.

Seeing under 25 mm of rainfall through the month, the average daytime temperature range sits around 64 to 70°F (18–21°C).

As a result of these ideal conditions, August is also a peak season for tourism, so it’s best to book flights and hotels early, and come prepared for bigger crowds. 

September

Sitting at the end of the dry season, visiting Quito in September means you can expect mostly clear skies, and comfortable temperatures, with average daytime highs of 64 to 70°F (18 to 21°C).

While rainfall is on the increase, it remains pretty low, with an average of 30–50 mm (1.2–2 inches) falling across the month. Showers also tend to be brief, and happen the late afternoon or evening.

October

The Quito weather in October sees a shift to the wet season during a shoulder season period for tourism. 

As a result, while the city is less crowded than it is during the July and August peak season — and quieter than September — you can also expect pretty significant rainfall in comparison with said months, though moderate temperatures of 50°F to 72°F (10°C to 22°C) provide comfortable conditions for exploring.

November

Although the Quito weather in November remains mild, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), you should expect downpours that might impact plans to explore the outdoors. Meanwhile, mild temperatures range from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C).

Also a pretty quiet month for tourism, costs can be lower in November. So, if you come prepared for some rain and are more interested in cultural pursuits (taking food tours and visiting museums, for example) than the likes of hiking, November is worth considering.

December 

Rounding off our summary of the Quito weather by month, December is usually mild, often sunny and largely dry, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C). 

Alongside the weather in Quito in December being pretty great for all kinds of vacations, this month is also a top time for culture vultures to visit, thanks to the Fiestas de Quito, which is held on 6th December. 

Celebrating the founding of the city, events begin a week ahead of the big day, attracting big crowds at the start of a peak season month.

Wildlife viewing by season

For many travelers, the chance to see incredible Ecuador wildlife is one of the main reasons to visit, with the Galapagos Islands, in particular, offering unforgettable opportunities to see some of the world’s most iconic species, from giant tortoises and marine iguanas, to blue-footed boobies and the waved albatross.

But Ecuador’s wildlife wonders aren’t restricted to the Galapagos — the Amazon region, for example, teems with tropical birds, pink river dolphins, Amazonian manatees, sloths and tapirs. 

Meanwhile, while Quito itself is urban, day trips to the likes of Mindo, Antisana, Papallacta and Pululahua offer fantastic wildlife opportunities, as revealed right below.

What to see when

While wildlife viewing around Quito is rewarding throughout the year, certain months are better for spotting certain species in the nearby Andean highlands, cloud forests and páramo habitats. 

Best months for iconic species near Quito

January to March rainy season: best for birds and cloud forest species

Through these wet season months, Mindo Cloud Forest is at its lushest, and sees hundreds of bird species — including hummingbirds, toucans, and the elusive Andean cock-of-the-rock — become more active. For example, the latter conducts its courtship displays at this time of year.

The same is true of frogs, insects and butterflies, with forest trails also especially packed with orchids. 

June to August dry season: best for Andean condors and mammals

This is prime time to spot Andean condors in the Antisana Ecological Reserve. Ecuador’s national bird holds the title of the largest flying bird in the world by wingspan, and witnessing them soaring through the Andes is something else.

Other species around these parts include carunculated caracaras (another distinct raptor), with elusive spectacled bears sometimes seen along high-altitude trails.

Meanwhile, during these dry season months, Chiriboga Road and Papallacta Pass offer dry-weather access to highland páramo species, including white-tailed deer, Andean foxes, and more raptors.

Iconic wildlife at the top of your travel list? Take inspiration from our Galapagos itineraries, and be sure to wise up on the best time to visit the Galapagos — wildlife-watching opportunities have significant seasonal variations.

Frequently asked questions

If you’ve pretty much decided to include Quito in your Ecuador itinerary, keep reading for answers to some pertinent commonly asked questions, along with a handy summary of when’s best to visit.

When is the best month to visit Quito?

If we have to name one single best month to visit Quito, June comes out on top.

Falling in a dry season that runs until September, June lies just ahead of the peak tourist season of July and August. 

As such, June offers the ideal balance of dry, mild weather and more moderate crowds and costs.

When is the rainy season in Quito?

The rainy season in Quito runs from October to May, with the wettest months being March and April.

How many days do you need in Quito?

As shown by our suggested 7 days in Ecuador itinerary, and our 10 days in Ecuador itinerary, you can pack plenty into just a couple of days in Quito.

Though the city is a UNESCO Heritage Site and loaded with historic sights, you could explore top attractions like the Plaza Grande, the charming churches of La Compana and La Basilica, and the city’s oldest street (La Ronda) in a day.

Then, on your second day, you could head to the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument (just 45 minutes from town) to stand on the equatorial line and visit the associated museum, leaving time to, for example, take a cookery class or visit a few museums and galleries that same afternoon.

At the same time, Quito is the ideal base from which to explore some of the Andean region. For example, just two hours away, Mindo Cloud Forest is rich in biodiversity, birdlife butterflies and waterfalls, and plays host to ziplining experiences and chocolate tours.

All of which means, how many days need in Quito depends on whether you want to see more of Ecuador, or if you’re happy to do a deeper dive in the Andes area, with 2-3 days often long enough to see the city's top sights.