Best Time to Fly to Ecuador
Peak Season:
Peak season for visiting mainland Ecuador is June through September and December through January. However, even in the rainy season, conditions are good and travel is still enjoyable. Quito especially is a year-round destination, though be prepared for temperatures to become chilly due to its altitude during the dry season, June through September.
The Galapagos Islands remain relatively dry even in the wet season, so are a good year-round destination. Official peak season is June through August and again December through January; though this is based more on holiday seasons of travelers arriving from the United States and Europe.
Off Season:
December through April is the rainiest season in the jungle.
While it's great to find cheap flights to Ecuador, it's not advised to travel during the rainy season. The jungle is damp and uncomfortable, and Ecuador is best seen during the peak season when the temperature is warm and dry.
Why you should take a flight to Ecuador
After the flight to Ecuador, most visitors head straight to Quito, one of the oldest cities in both North and South America. Bring an extra suitcase on your Ecuador trip –one of the largest and most colorful open markets in South America is located in Quito, at the top of a volcano. Guayaquil is the country's most populous city. Some travelers who made the trip to Guayaquil say it’s one of the more up-and-coming cities in South America. Hop off your long flight to Ecuador and take a walk along the river boardwalk, also known as the Malecon 2000, and enjoy the galleries, museums, and restaurants. For the adventurous traveler, hop on an Ecuador flight to the jungle and take in one of the most diverse tropical rainforests in the world.
If your Ecuador visit only allows enough time to see the Galapagos Islands, rest assured it’s an experience worth having. Like most tourists, it’s likely that after a visit to the islands additional trips to Ecuador are in the near future.
Ecuador climate
Ecuador has many different little climates. At the coast you’ll deal with heat and humidity all year round. The rainy season lasts from December to May. When you’re in the mountains, you’ll get cooler the higher you get. In the Amazon, the weather is hot, humid and wet, but the Galapagos Islands are dry all year with an average temperature of 77 F.
Ecuador Travel Information
- Quito is the most visited town in Ecuador. Colonial Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see spot for any tourist. Start at the Plaza de la Independencia and visit the cathedral and Presidential Palace. In modern Quito, take a walk down Avenida Amazonas for some shopping, people watching or a drink at one of the many cafés.
- The Galapagos Islands are a major touristic draw for their wildlife. The marine iguana, native to the islands, is a large black iguana which can live in the sea. Charles Darwin wrote of it, “The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (2-3ft) most disgusting clumsy Lizards […] I call them the imps of darkness.” You may find the giant galapagos tortoises, after which the islands were named, more appealing. The Charles Darwin Research Center, in Puerto Ayora was founded for conservation of the islands natural habitat and is the best place to get up close and personal with the tortoises.
- There is also excellent swimming and snorkeling on the islands. The sea life is relatively tame: swim with sea lions, turtles and penguins. The sea lions, and their pups if you visit at the right time of year, are especially fond of divers and will approach and play with them.
- Guayaquil is the largest city in the country and it has the biggest population. The town has been through extensive renovation recently and, though not yet a major tourist spot, its natural beauty and fantastic views are starting to be recognized. For a view of the city, take a walk up the 444 steps at the end of Malecon 2000.
- Ecuador has some culinary delights, and local dishes specific to almost every region. Favorites include lemon-marinated shrimp, corn pancakes and lechon – roasted suckling pig. However, it is for eating cuy, the humble guinea pig that the Ecuadorians are best known to us…
