When to go to Ecuador and Galapagos
Mainland Ecuador has such a varied topography that it is difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit. However, assuming that the majority of your holiday will be spent in the Andes or the Amazon, the best time of year in these areas is from June to September. During this time it will usually be warm and mostly dry, although in the Amazon it will of course be humid and short tropical downpours will inevitably occur on a daily basis. It can get very cold in the mountains at night. From December to March it will be fairly wet which can impede your mountain views but please bear in mind rainshowers in the tropics do not last all day, usually appearing early afternoon for an hour or so.
Always come prepared with a rain jacket just in case!
The Galapagos is perfect all times of year with some seasonal variations. Being on the Equator means that air and water temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year (both around 25°C). Unless you specifically wish to witness a particular animal or bird mating or nesting you can travel to the islands all year round. Please note that peak season is generally considered to be the summer holidays (end of June to early September) and Christmas. If planning on travelling mid-December to mid-January please book well in advance.
January
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. In the Galapagos seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating.
February
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. In the Galapagos seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating.
March
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. In the Galapagos Seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating. Land iguanas are hatching and young sea lions are abundant on the beaches.
April
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. In the Galapagos seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating. Land iguanas are hatching and young sea lions are abundant on the beaches.
May
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating. Land iguanas are hatching and young sea lions are abundant on the beaches.
June
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold to very cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are slightly cooler. Albatross and penguins are in abundance and it is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. Winds are slightly stronger and seas are slightly rougher. A misty rain called ‘Garua’ is often present.
July
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold to very cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are slightly cooler. Albatross and penguins are in abundance and it is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. Winds are slightly stronger and seas are slightly rougher. A misty rain called ‘Garua’ is often present. An ideal time to combine a visit to Ecuador and the Galapagos with Peru so please book well in advance.
August
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold to very cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are slightly cooler. Albatross and penguins are in abundance and it is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. Giant tortoises migrate from lowlands to highland. Winds are at their strongest and the sea is at its coolest. A misty rain called ‘Garua’ is often present. An ideal time to combine a visit to Ecuador and the Galapagos with Peru so please book well in advance.
September
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold to very cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are slightly cooler. Albatross and penguins are in abundance and it is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. Winds are slightly stronger and seas are slightly rougher. A misty rain called ‘Garua’ is often present.
October
An ideal time to visit the mainland! Dry and sunny. Can be cold to very cold in the mountains. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are starting to warm up and winds and seas are starting to calm down. Albatross and penguins are in abundance, blue-footed boobies are raising their chicks and young sea lions will approach swimmers.
November
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. In the Galapagos both air and water temperatures are starting to warm up and winds and seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Albatross and penguins are in abundance, blue-footed boobies are raising their chicks and young sea lions will approach swimmers.
December
Cool to cold in the Andes, some rain in the mountains and jungle. Peak season in the Galapagos so book well in advance. Seas are slightly warmer and calmer. Rainfall may occur for short periods each day. Humidity is high. Vegetation is blooming, turtles are nesting and birds are mating.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Ecuador & Galapagos in pictures
