Seasonal Guide to Quito
April 2025
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador’s captivating capital perched in the middle of the Andes at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level. Here you can enjoy mild temperatures year-round, while discovering the city’s rich culture through its festivities, food and people.
Unlike European and North American countries, Quito doesn’t experience the traditional four seasons. The climate in Quito is defined by two seasons, the dry season from June to September with little to no rain and the wet season from October to May with more frequent rainfall. However, the average temperature remains steady at 15°C (59°F) year-round, which offers you the rare luxury to plan your Quito adventure around cultural events rather than weather extremes.
Whether you’re drawn to indigenous celebrations, Catholic traditions, or gastronomic delights, this guide will help you navigate Quito’s rich cultural agenda while also highlighting each month’s distinct weather pattern.
Feel free to read my previous post about the weather in Quito that includes a climate graph, a recommended packing list and explains the origin of Quito’s unique climate.
January
The first month in the year is usually one of the least rainy months during wet season with less than 10 days with rain.
Always be prepared for rain and sunshine. Typical days during the wet season in Quito have sunny mornings and, often sudden, downpours in the afternoon.
The daytime temperatures in Quito are always mild but it cools down at night, so bring warm pajamas.
If you plan to travel to Quito in the beginning of January, it is important to book in advance because of the increased demand during the holiday season. Exclusive boutique hotels like Casa Gangotena, Illa Experience Hotel, Mashpi Lodge and Hotel Plaza Grande sell out months in advance for dates around New Year’s.
February
The month of February is rainier and cloudier than January. Always head out with a light rain jacket or umbrella, although it might not look like rain in the morning.
Colorful carnival festivities take place in February (or March), with traditional parades and concerts showcasing Ecuador’s cultural diversity. For many locals, children and adults alike, celebrating Carnival means having big water fights, that often also include foam sprays, black coloring and in occasion raw eggs and flour. I was glad to find out that people in Quito are quite respectful and only strike people actively participating in this tradition.
Carnival events take place from the Saturday to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The largest events usually take place on Shyris Avenue next to Carolina Park in the northern center and 24 de Mayo Boulevard in the historic center. However, there are many smaller events all over the city. Quito’s Tourism Board posts its cultural agenda online or you can ask us directly about current events and travel recommendations.
March
With April, March is the rainiest month in Quito, with about 16 days with rain. Typical March days feature sunny mornings and cloudy afternoons with heavy rainfall. Days with lots of rain are usually followed by some beautiful summer-like days.
Holy Week, one of the most important religious celebrations in Quito, takes place in March or April. It is marked by religious processions, cultural events and traditional food.
Events take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, but only Good Friday is a national holiday. On this day, many families gather to prepare the hearty soup “fanesca”, which is made with 12 types of grains, representing the 12 apostles. Don’t miss out on this delicious Ecuadorian meal. Fanesca is served in most restaurants during the weeks leading up to Easter.
The most important religious event in Quito is the Procession of Jesus of the Great Power on Good Friday. Characters representing biblical history and Christian devotion, like the hooded “cucuruchos”, accompany the image of Jesus on a procession through the historic center. More than 150,000 people gather yearly for this event that starts and ends at Plaza de San Francisco.
Around March 21, indigenous people celebrate the Spring Equinox, honoring the sun and mother earth with rituals and food. Some hotels and restaurants offer special activities and menus for this occasion. This is also a great date to visit the equator line close to Quito, as the sun will be directly overhead at noon.
April
There is a phrase in Spanish saying “Abril, aguas mil” (April, thousand waters). For Quito, this is often true because April is one of its rainiest months with about 16 days with rain. Days are similar to the ones in March with sunny mornings and rainy afternoons.
Typical days in March, April, May and October lead locals to say that in Quito, you can experience four seasons in a single day:
- cold, winter-like starts into the day
- warm, spring-like mornings
- hot summer-like noons
- rainy, autumn-like afternoons
May
May is a transition month and towards its end, it starts feeling like summer. Although May usually has most days with rain in the year, the overall amount of rain is less than during previous months.
May 24th is a national holiday, commemorating the “Battle of Pichincha” that led to Ecuador’s independence from the Spanish. The battle took place in Quito in 1822. There are military parades, flyovers and cultural events to celebrate the date.
June
June marks the beginning of the dry season and days of rain drop dramatically to almost 0.
The cloudless skies invite you to visit viewpoints like the Panecillo Hill at the southern end of the historic center or take the TelefériQo cable car up to Rucu Pichincha to admire the surrounding volcanoes including Cayambe, Antisana and Cotopaxi.
Sun protection becomes even more important and if possible, we recommend avoiding being in the sun around noon because of the strong radiation.
During June, the most important indigenous festival takes place: Inti Raymi. It is a celebration of the Sun God Inti, the winter solstice and the harvest. Festivities with rituals of purification, communal dance and music, and shared meals happen on a small scale in Quito but are more common in rural areas of the Andes, and towns like Otavalo, Cotacachi and Cayambe.
July
July sometimes passes with virtually no rain. The lack of rain paints the hills and valleys around Quito in earthy colors and there is an increased risk of wildfires.
Great views of the surrounding Andean valleys, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes are almost guaranteed during July.
August
Rainfall remains low throughout August and skies are mostly cloudless.
August 10th is Ecuador’s national day, commemorating the declaration of independence of Quito from the Spanish in 1809. Apart from parades, concerts and civic events, there is the “Festival of Lights” with colorful mapping projections on iconic buildings in the historic center.
August is also the Month of Culture and Arts with lots of cultural events like exhibitions and concerts throughout the city.
September
September is overall still a dry month with less than 10 rain days, which usually occur towards the end of the month.
Around September 22nd, the second equinox occurs with some restaurants and hotels offering special activities and meals.
October
In October more frequent rainfalls return to Quito and the weather is generally cloudy.
Normally, October is one of the months with the most rain (about 19 days with rain). However, in 2024 we had an extended drought with no rainfall and summer-like weather for weeks on end. Like May, October is a transition month, so really any kind of weather is possible.
November
The rains continue but usually there is less amount of rain and rain days than in October. November rains are normally short downpours in the morning, afternoon or night.
On November 2nd the nation-wide holiday “Day of the Dead” or “All Souls’ Day” takes place where people honor the deceased with visits to graveyards and special masses. If you have a sweet tooth, you must try “guaguas de pan” (bread babies) and “colada morada” (purple hot drink made with corn and fruit) that are served everywhere leading up to the holiday.
December
Although amidst the wet season, December usually only features about 10 days with rain and there often hot days with clear skies.
December is the most festive month in Quito, with the following key celebrations:
- Foundation of Quito (December 6th). Activities usually start at the end of November and conclude the weekend after Dec 6th. Quiteños love celebrating their city and the array of events and activities seems endless, with concerts, parades, open party busses “chivas”, typical food like roast pork “hornado” and alcoholic hot drink “canelazo”, “Reina de Quito” beauty pageant, “cuarenta” card game tournaments and wooden car races.
- Christmas – Although Christmas is a family-centered holiday, where families gather in their homes to have dinner, pray and sing together, there are some lovely public traditions: elaborate nativity scenes including Andean figures and animals, “Passing of the Child” processions in the historic center and other neighborhoods, and midnight mass.
- New Year’s – There is a long list of traditions that accompany new year’s celebrations in Quito, including men dressing up as (lightly dressed) widows who mourn the passing year, dancing and soliciting for money on the streets; burning self-made, life-sized rag dolls representing last year’s misfortunes; and street parties with music, parades and fireworks.
If you plan to visit Quito in the second half of December, book in advance, as this is the city’s busiest season and popular accommodations and activities often sell out early.
Discover Quito Through Its Seasons and Celebrations
Whatever time of year you choose to visit Quito, you’ll find a city alive with cultural richness and friendly locals. The consistent temperatures make it a year-round destination, with your travel experience shaped more by rainfall patterns and cultural events than by seasonal extremes.
For those seeking vibrant festivals and cultural immersion, plan around celebrations like Carnival (February/March), Holy Week (March/April), Inti Raymi (June) or Quito’s Foundation festivities (December). If outdoor adventures and clear mountain views are your priority, the dry season from June to September offers the most reliable conditions.
Remember that Quito’s high-altitude position means bringing layers regardless of when you visit. The equatorial sun can be intense during clear days, while evenings cool significantly year-round.
In Quito, it’s not about finding the perfect season, but embracing the perfect blend of Andean traditions, colonial history, and natural wonders that make each month in this UNESCO World Heritage city an unforgettable experience.
Ready to experience Quito’s vibrant culture, lovely weather and stunning landscapes firsthand? Let’s start planning your trip! We are happy to answer all your questions and assist you with recommendations, so you get the best out of your time in Quito.