Keith Crockford
If you’ve landed here, you’re probably wondering ‘When is the best time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands?’
First of all, great choice – Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are a dream destination for many, bursting with a beautiful natural landscape and exotic animals.
The climate of the areas vary throughout the year, so before you start picturing yourself exploring the Amazon rainforest or snorkelling with tropical fish, allow me to breakdown what you can expect from each month in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, so you can decide when’s the right time for your adventure.
(Want to find out when our next Ecuador adventures are taking place? Click here to head to our itinerary page!)
Because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, January is confusingly the warmest month in Ecuador, with temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. These favourable conditions mean the Amazon rainforest offers plenty of wildlife sightings.
And when you’re looking to kick back and relax, head to the beach and soak up those rays – just remember your sun cream!
The Galapagos Islands also see lovely temperatures, though a bit warmer than Ecuador at 23-26 degrees. This month heralds the start of the warm season in the region, with sea temperatures of 23 making a perfect climate for snorkelling and exploring the rich marine life on offer.
February in Ecuador sees increased rainfall, especially in the Amazon (it is called a rainforest, after all!).
That makes this month a prime time to witness the Amazon spring back to life – the encompassing green landscape really is something you have to see for yourself.
It’s the same story in the Galapagos Islands… similar temperatures to January but just more rain, signalling the region’s mini ‘green’ season. There’s a spectacular showcase of avian courtships (basically when birds let each other know they want to mate), notably from the greater flamingos and the endemic pintail ducks.
February is a great time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands if you’re interested in the rebirth of life.
Sticking with the blossoming wildlife, March is a great time to visit for nature lovers, particularly bird-enthusiasts.
In Ecuador, temperatures sit at a pleasant 21-24 degrees, giving the coastal areas a nice warm spell. Tropical showers still hit the Amazon and Andean regions at this time.
In the Galapagos Islands, temperatures are a bit higher, normally between 25 and 30 degrees. There’s also high rainfall in this month but it’s still exciting for birdwatchers.
Migratory birds and marine life are active along the coast in Ecuador, while you can witness the nesting rituals of frigatebirds and albatross in the Galapagos Islands – a true sight to behold!
Want to get a piece of the action? Find out more about our Ecuador and Galapagos Islands adventure HERE.
April in Ecuador is still fairly rainy but the traditional Holy Week celebrations in Quito still make this a month worth experiencing (as do the cocoa and coffee harvest).
In the Galapagos Islands, April ushers in calmer weather, with temperatures of 24-26 and lower rainfall. The main perk of this month in the Galapagos Islands however is being able to witness new-born animals, in particular sea lions and tortoise hatchlings.
Get your camera at the ready because these are some snaps you won’t want to miss!
Temperatures start to decrease in both areas, down to 18-22 in Ecuador and 20-26 in the Galapagos Islands. There’s also a relief from the rain (at last!).
In Ecuador, the Guayas Basin banana harvest is in full swing and you might even spot migratory birds returning to the Northern Hemisphere.
It’s also a wonderful time to witness the evolution of sea bird colonies and the blossoming season of endemic plants in the Galapagos Islands.
June marks the onset of the drier season in Ecuador, making it the perfect time to explore Quito or Cuenca’s historical districts.
In the Galapagos Islands, the cool dry season which June signals the start of is known as the ‘garua season.’ Temperatures are a mild 18-24 degrees, and this period coincides with the migration of some whale and dolphin species, making for a fascinating spectacle.
Join us on an adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
The temperatures in Ecuador in this month are between 16 and 21, making it ideal for mountain activities, most notably climbing and hiking.
A climb up the majestic Andes, anyone?
The Galapagos Islands see temperatures between 18 and 21, very typical of the garua season.
Despite cold sea waters and rougher seas, the underwater world is still incredibly active with diverse aquatic life making it a diver’s paradise.
Like July, August in Ecuador remains quite cool and dry. That combination makes it the perfect time to delve into Ecuador’s history and culture by visiting archaeological sites and colonial cities.
August in the Galapagos Islands sees the cool-season trend continue with temperatures of 19-20 degrees.
And if birds are your thing, then you won’t be disappointed as you’re able to witness various species including penguins and cormorants being very active in breeding rituals or nesting… who doesn’t love penguins?!
Ecuador in September sees mild temperatures of 16-20, and this month is an excellent time for orchid lovers – many species start to bloom, particularly in the highland cloud forests.
September is also one of the coolest months in the Galapagos Islands, with temperatures between 18 and 21 degrees. Despite the drop in temperature (not that 18 degrees is exactly cold, especially coming from the UK!), this month promises a visual spectacle.
Love is in the air as you’ll see a variety of species’ courtship rituals and nests brimming with eggs too.
October in Ecuador sees a slight increase in rainfall but continued cool temperatures. Many birdwatchers flock to Ecuador this month, drawn by avian migrations and native bird nesting.
If sea lions are more your thing, then the Galapagos Islands are the place to be.
October sees a slow transition back to the warm season, with a slight increase of temperatures – around 20-24 degrees. That makes it a great climate for sea lion pups to come out and play, so expect to see increased activity from those cute little animals at this time.
Click here to find out more about our trips to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Rainfall in Ecuador increases throughout November but this ensures lush scenery, an explosion of orchids, and active wildlife, particularly in the Amazon regions.
It’s an excellent month for nature photography so make sure you pack your camera.
In the Galapagos Islands, rainfall in November is minimal and the temperature is at a comfortable 22-24 degrees.
This time of year is ideal for exploring the islands’ beautiful landscapes, with the blooming green tunnels of the Scalesia trees a must-see for your holiday.
What better way to round the year off than a barbecue on the beach (it certainly beats the grey Christmases we’re used to in the UK!)?
With a return to warmer climates seeing temperatures of 19-23 degrees, beach towns like Montanita become bustling hubs, and festive events brighten up cities like Quito and Guayaquil.
In the Galapagos Islands, the temperature rises to between 23 and 26, warming the waters and making December a popular month for visits.
Treat yourself to the magnificent sight of the Waved Albatross departing the islands – a truly unique spectacle to end the year.
So, that wraps up my month-by-month breakdown of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. All that’s left now is to decide which time of year takes your fantasy and get that trip booked.
Whenever you choose to go, I’ve no doubt you’ll have an amazing time. But if you want to reeeeally make it the trip of a lifetime, look no further than our Bucket List Company trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
With a group of like-minded travellers and expert guides looking after you every step of the way, it’s no wonder why so many people choose us to make their holiday dreams come true.
We’ve been running trips for a very long time now, so we know exactly what keen-travellers look for and how to deliver it. (We also have the added perk of accepting payments in monthly instalments, so you’re not lumping a huge sum of cash on the trip in one go, but by the time it rolls around, it’s all already paid for).
If you like the sound of this, check out our Ecuador and Galapagos Islands trip here. If you don’t book it now… will you ever?
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