Ecuador in November: Weather Tips for Shoulder Season
Shoulder seasons are excellent for travelers who are not strapped for time. Ecuador in November goes through plenty of changes weather-wise, but you can still expect comfortable conditions with not too much rain and mild temperatures. The highlands are still hikable, the Amazon basin has not flooded, and coastal waters are warming up—all excellent opportunities for adventure-hungry travelers. The beginning of the month has a few traditional celebrations, where visitors can get an even greater understanding and appreciation for local customs. Have a look at our tours in Ecuador to find out what your holiday in November can look like.
Ecuador Weather in November
The weather in Ecuador in November is fairly mild and consistent throughout. The average temperature ranges between 8°C and 18°C. The highlands experience a dip in temperatures around this time. In Quito, for instance, temperatures hovers between 9°C and 16°C. The city also sees fairly wet conditions in November.
Cuenca, meanwhile, is colder than Quito, with the temperature low of 8°C and the high of 15°C. For warmer climes, head to Guayaquil, where the mercury fluctuates anywhere between 22°C and 33°C. November is the driest month in Guayaquil.
In the Galapagos, November marks the tail end of the dry season, with a smattering of rain showers spread across the month. The temperatures in Puerto Villamil remain stable between 21°C and 23°C, and the sea temperatures start to rise, reaching up to 22°C.
Check out our seasonal overview to find the best time to visit Ecuador.
Weather in Ecuador in November - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 64.4 | 62.6 | 62.6 | 62.6 | 62.6 | 64.4 | 64.4 | 66.2 | 66.2 | 64.4 | 64.4 | 64.4 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 46.4 | 46.4 | 48.2 | 48.2 | 48.2 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 70 | 100 | 90 | 70 | 60 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 70 | 80 | 60 | 50 |
Why Visit Ecuador in November
November in Ecuador is a shoulder season with more than enough reasons to visit. Here are some of them:
- Cuenca Independence Day: On 3 November, the mountain town of Cuenca descends into celebrations. This is when you can find one of the best parades in Ecuador. See the musicians, dancers, and fireworks while indulging in a ton of traditional food.
- All Souls’ Day: November 2 is a significant date for Ecuadorians, as they celebrate the All Souls’ Day by laying out food at the graves of their deceased loved ones. You should enjoy Guaguas de pan and Colada Morada, two treats only prepared on this holiday.
- Better rates: November is a great month to look for good deals on hotels in the highlands before a spike in tourism over December. Less-than-favorable weather on the coast also guarantees great deals.
- Fewer crowds: Locals travel for traditional reasons but there are few tourists visiting in Ecuador in November, making this a great month for traveling and checking out the country’s many attractions.
Where to go and what to do
There are tons of things to do in Ecuador in November, and intermittent bouts of bad weather should not put you off. One of the most popular activities in the country is backpacking, especially at the beginning of the month when the conditions are still dry. Explore Cotopaxi National Park and the Quilotoa Loop where there are fewer visitors during this time. So, you will have the grand vistas mostly to yourself.
The ocean waters in the Galapagos are still not completely warm in November, but this means the Humboldt current is still adding a lot of nutrients to the water. November is not a busy month in the Galapagos, so you can get a great deal on a boat trip in Ecuador to see large marine animals like whales and sharks. Divers willing to brave the murkier water will get to encounter playful sea lion pumps finding their sea legs in November. On land, you will see brown noddy terns and the band-rumped storm petrel breeding, while blue-footed booby, red-footed booby, and Nazca booby all rest closer to the coast.
November marks the end of the rainy season in the orient and this change in precipitation means footpaths become accessible again. From November, you can also expect to see much more wildlife like shy sloths and tapirs who come out of hiding when showers become less frequent. There is also a change in flora. Hiking through forests allows you to see these changes up close.
Have a look at our breakdown of how many days to spend in Ecuador to make the most of your time in South America.
Take advantage of the “in-between” season in Ecuador in November, and you are guaranteed to have a whale of a time. You will enjoy predictable and comfortable conditions almost everywhere with few tourists crowding the beautiful locations. Contact our local experts to plan a customized trip to Ecuador.
Other related articles:
Ecuador in October
Ecuador in December
