Ecuador is located in the equator on the left coast of South America. However, just because it lies in the Tropics does NOT mean that’s it’s always warm. Ecuador consists of coastal plain, inter-Andean central highlands, and the eastern jungle. The weather is tropical at the coasts but gets progressively cooler as you travel inland, to higher elevation. During the winter months of January and February Ecuador’s weather is especially HOT and humid along the coast. Rain falls throughout the year, but mainly the rainy season is from December to April. Ecuador receives an average rainfall of about 112 centimeters.
There are many factors that affect Ecuador’s weather, besides the time of year and the section of the country you’re in, the single biggest factor is the altitude. If you’re in Quito on a beautiful winter day, it may be 70 degrees F, but if you take the teleferico (tram) to the summit of Cruz Loma you have just gone from an altitude of 9600 feet up to 13300 feet in a matter of about ten minutes. The degree change when I was there felt like 25′ cooler. Dress accordingly.
The temperature drops down to 8.5 degree Celsius at 3,500 m above sea level. With each increase in altitude by 200 m, the temperature drops by 1 degree Celsius. The coastal region has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 23 to 26 degree Celsius. Ecuador’s weather is also characterized by the El Nino effect, which occurs every six years. At that time, the temperature and humidity are higher than usual. These conditions produce heavy showers resulting in flooding.
Wherever you’re traveling while in Ecuador, first make sure you know where you’re going, the altitude and dress accordingly. I made the mistake of visiting Ingapirca in shorts with just a sweater.
Ingapirca is located just 90 minutes outside of Cuenca and is the largest ruins in South America after Machu Picchu in Peru. The photo above shows the heavy, wet fog on the January day we visisted.
