Best Time to Visit Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

A holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is one rich in history, wildlife and natural beauty.

Ecuador is often considered as the gateway to the Galapagos Islands, but it is much more than that. With its market towns, vibrant culture, stunning treks through the snow-capped Avenue of Volcanoes and exciting wildlife spotting opportunities in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador is a great holiday destination for those seeking something off the beaten track.

Combining Ecuador with the Galapagos Islands is a must if you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday that is unlike anywhere else on earth. Situated 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife both on land and sea. Imagine seeing the infamous giant tortoises, the endemic Galapagos penguin, the colourful marine iguanas and a myriad of other species up-close in their natural habitat. A cruise around the Galapagos Islands is one of the best ways to visit the ‘Enchanted Isles’.

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are a great all year round holiday destination, yet each month has some standout things to see and do. To ensure you get the most out of your trip, our South America travel specialists have created a list of the best things to see on your holidays to Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in January: The warm season is in full swing in the Galapagos Islands with an average temperature of 21 to 29°C, and across Ecuador, the country is experiencing bright and sunny days with mild temperatures between 9 and 19°C.

January is a great month to visit the cultural heritage, colonial churches and museums of Quito or to navigate Amazonian rivers in a traditional dugout canoe. Bird watching is particularly good in the Amazon during the month of January.

On the Galapagos Islands, January is a great month to see the marine iguanas become brightly coloured and transform from black to a vivid green and red.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in February: The average temperature in the Galapagos in February ranges around 22-31°C, whereas in Ecuador, temperatures vary from region to region. On the coast, the warm weather will be averaging 26°C and in Quito and the Highlands, the temperature is cooler and averages at 15°C.

The month of February is Carnaval month and like elsewhere in South America, the streets of Ecuador are bombarded with parades, music and dancing.

With the warm and clear waters, February is the ideal month for snorkelling and scuba diving on your Galapagos holidays. February is also a great month for birdlife in the Galapagos Islands. From the Galapagos dove to the black-tailed pintails, many have begun their nesting and breeding seasons. If you wish to see the Galapagos penguins, it is worth heading to the Isabela and Fernandina Islands on your Galapagos Islands cruise.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in March: March is technically deemed as the rainy season in Ecuador, but the coastline and the Galapagos Islands are sunny during the day with a few afternoon showers and with temperatures averaging anywhere between 9°C and 23°C.

When Easter falls in March, the streets and the main towns celebrate with Semana Santa celebrations. March is also a great time to explore the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle for those seeking exciting wildlife encounters including giant otters, spider monkeys and the rare pink river dolphin.

March is a great time for snorkelling in the Galapagos Islands. The average sea temperature is 25°C and there is a good chance that you will not only see some Galapagos penguins in the water, but also a variety of extraordinary marine life.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in April: The temperatures in the Galapagos Islands range between 22°C and 30°C, and in Ecuador, the average temperature ranges from 9°C and 17°C.

April is a great time to visit Ecuador if you are looking to see the sites with lesser crowds. The month of April is also great for festivities such as Holy Week (if Easter falls in April) and Founding Day in Cuenca.

One of the best things about planning holidays to the Galapagos Islands at the end of the rainy season is that the islands are vibrantly green and lush with vegetation. You will also have the chance to witness the Waved Albatross returning to Espanola Island, the green sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea and the land iguana hatchlings learning to survive from predators such as hawks.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in May: The weather in Ecuador is transitioning into the dry season with temperatures averaging 17°C and in the Galapagos, the temperature is usually around 28°C with an average sea temperature of 24°C, perfect conditions for a Galapagos Islands cruise.

Hiking amidst the snow-capped volcanoes of Parque Nacional Cotopaxi is a must in May, as you will have some exquisite views across Ecuador. It is also a great time to visit the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest where much of the wildlife takes to the trees and becomes easier to see.

As the seasons change, May is a great month to visit the green Galapagos Islands. From giant tortoises, land iguanas and Darwin’s finches to the whitetip reef sharks, sea lions and sea turtles, the Galapagos Islands are bursting with exciting wildlife to watch in action.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in June: An Ecuador trip in June will experience temperatures ranging between 8°C and 23°C, and a Galapagos Islands cruise will see temperatures between 21°C to 26°C.

With the bright and sunny days, June is a great time to visit Ecuador. From hiking in the Avenue of Volcanoes to visiting the market town of Otavalo, Quito and the Highlands are at their most beautiful and promise excellent views.

June is one of the best months to explore the natural wonders of the ‘Enchanted Isles’. Some of the highlights of this month are the giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins and you may have the chance to spot the intriguing ritual mating dance of the blue-footed booby.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in July: For those who do not enjoy hot climates, July is a great time to visit the Galapagos Islands as the temperatures are usually cooler than the preceding months. In Ecuador, the temperature usually remains around 18°C.

The dry weather conditions are perfect for visiting Quito and hiking in the Highlands in Ecuador. For wildlife enthusiasts, July is also one of the best months to trek through the jungle of the Ecuadorian rainforest as the trails are drying out and wildlife is in abundance.

Bird life is incredibly active in the month of July as the blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and greater flamingos begin breeding and nesting. July is also the start of sea lion breeding season on the beaches of the Galapagos Islands.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in August: The month of August is cool and dry in the Galapagos Islands with an average temperature of 19°C, whereas in Ecuador, there is plenty of sunshine and fewer rainy days.

August is a great month to hike in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador. We recommend taking a trip through the Quilotoa Loop to the emerald green lake of Quilotoa and trekking through the beautiful snow-capped Avenue of Volcanoes.

With the cooler waters around the Galapagos Islands, the marine life is very active in August which makes snorkelling trips very exciting.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in September: Ecuador holidays in September will experience warm weather across most of the regions. September is one of the driest months in the Galapagos Islands with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 21°C.

With its prime outdoor activity weather, September is a great month for hiking to one of the many viewpoints across Quito and the Highlands. Surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, emerald green lakes and mountains full of towering trees, the treks during this month will be some of the most memorable of your Ecuador trip.

In the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos penguins, sea lions and fur seals are very active in September which means you will have plenty of opportunities to see the wildlife in action on a Galapagos Islands cruise, a snorkelling excursion and a hike across the lands.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in October: Those making a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands will experience an average temperature of 22°C.

With the summer holidays well and truly over, October is less crowded and a great time to visit Ecuador. It is a particularly excellent time to immerse yourself in the culture and history of Ecuador by visiting one of the museums, colonial streets and Inca ruins.

The exceptional sunrises and bright days make October one of the best months for photographers embarking on a Galapagos Islands holiday. Green sea turtles are more visible in October if you are interested in planning a snorkelling excursion.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in November: The month of November is mild throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, usually averaging 18°C and 26°C.

November is perfect for visiting the UNESCO-listed destination of Quito, the former capital of the Inca Empire and a place that will give you a true sense of the history and culture of Ecuador.

On a Galapagos Islands cruise, November is a brilliant time for seeing the sea lion pups playing on the beach and being curious of those snorkelling in the waters.

Weather in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in December: Warmer weather sweeps over Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with an average temperature of 22°C to 30°C.

The streets of Ecuador in December are full of grand celebrations, which promises a wonderful atmosphere for those seeking a joyful and vibrant holiday during the festive season.

December is an exciting month for wildlife in the Galapagos Islands as many of the animals begin their mating season, including the green sea turtles, marine iguanas and land iguanas. If you are interested in birdlife, you will see the Waved Albatross chicks starting to gain their wing feathers on Espanola Island, which is only accessible via a Galapagos Islands cruise. The waters in the Galapagos Islands are also calmer and clearer in December, perfect for snorkelling and diving amongst the sea lions.

If you are looking to embark on the journey of a lifetime, speak to our South America travel specialists to start planning your tailor-made holidays to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.