Things to Do in Ecuador in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Ecuador
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December hits the sweet spot in the Galápagos - this is actually peak wildlife season with sea lion pups being born, marine iguanas nesting, and giant tortoise eggs hatching. Water temps reach 22-24°C (72-75°F), making it comfortable for snorkeling without a wetsuit, unlike the chilly June-November period when you'll need 5mm protection.
- The Andean highlands are in their dry season with brilliant blue skies and visibility that stretches for miles - you'll get those postcard-perfect shots of Cotopaxi volcano at 5,897 m (19,347 ft) without cloud cover blocking the view. December mornings are crisp at 8-10°C (46-50°F) but afternoons warm to a comfortable 20-22°C (68-72°F), ideal for hiking without overheating.
- Tourist crowds haven't hit their January-February peak yet, so you're visiting just before the main high season rush. Accommodations in Quito and Cuenca typically run 20-30% cheaper than they will in late December holiday week, and you can still book last-minute Galápagos cruises that will be completely sold out by mid-January.
- December brings Ecuador's festive season into full swing - Quito's streets fill with nativity scenes, the Pase del Niño Viajero processions start building momentum, and local markets overflow with seasonal foods like pristiños (fried dough with honey) and buñuelos. You're experiencing the culture at its most celebratory without the actual Christmas week chaos.
Considerations
- The Amazon basin is transitioning into its wetter season with rainfall reaching 220 mm (8.7 inches) - expect afternoon downpours that can last 2-3 hours and muddy trails that make wildlife spotting more challenging. Some lodges become harder to access, and river levels start rising unpredictably, occasionally disrupting boat schedules.
- The coastal region around Guayaquil and the beach towns starts getting humid and sticky as the wet season begins - you're looking at 75-80% humidity with temperatures around 28°C (82°F) that feel closer to 32°C (90°F). Beach conditions aren't ideal yet, with occasional rain and rougher Pacific waters compared to the calmer June-September period.
- If you're planning to visit during the last week of December (Christmas through New Year's), you'll hit Ecuador's absolute peak tourist season when prices double, everything books solid, and popular sites like Baños and Otavalo get genuinely crowded with both international tourists and vacationing Ecuadorians. The first three weeks of December are fine - that final week is a different story entirely.
Best Activities in December
Galápagos Islands Multi-Day Cruises
December is genuinely one of the two best months for Galápagos wildlife encounters - you'll see sea lion pups learning to swim (absolutely mesmerizing to watch), green sea turtles arriving to nest, and the famous blue-footed boobies in their courtship displays. Water visibility reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft), and the warmer 22-24°C (72-75°F) water temps mean you can snorkel comfortably for longer without the thick wetsuit you'd need in the cooler season. The islands are in that perfect window before the January-March peak crowds arrive.
Cotopaxi Volcano Hiking and High-Altitude Trekking
The highland dry season means Cotopaxi at 5,897 m (19,347 ft) is actually visible most days - during the wet season (April-May), you might wait a week for cloud cover to clear. December mornings offer crystal-clear views and firm trails for hiking to the José Ribas Refuge at 4,800 m (15,748 ft). Temperatures at the parking area around 4,500 m (14,764 ft) hover around 2-5°C (36-41°F) in early morning, warming to 10-12°C (50-54°F) by midday. This is genuinely the best weather window for non-technical volcano access.
Quito Historic Center Walking and Cultural Tours
December's dry highland weather makes walking Quito's steep colonial streets actually pleasant - you're at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) elevation, so the thin air is real, but the 18-22°C (64-72°F) afternoon temps and low rain risk mean you can explore without getting drenched or overheated. The city decorates its plazas and churches with elaborate nativity scenes (pesebres), and you'll catch rehearsals for the Pase del Niño processions. Early morning visits to La Compañía church or San Francisco monastery (opening at 9:30am) give you the spaces before tour groups arrive around 11am.
Amazon Rainforest Lodge Stays and Wildlife Expeditions
Yes, December rainfall increases to 220 mm (8.7 inches) in the Amazon basin, but this actually signals the start of better wildlife viewing in some ways - rising river levels make canoe access easier to flooded forest areas where you'll spot more river dolphins, caimans, and waterbirds. Lodges near Coca or Tena offer 3-5 day packages with guided jungle walks, night safaris, and indigenous community visits. Temperatures stay consistently warm at 22-30°C (72-86°F) with that thick humidity you'd expect. Pack for rain - afternoon storms lasting 2-3 hours happen about 60% of days.
Otavalo Market and Northern Highland Cultural Experiences
The Saturday market in Otavalo remains Ecuador's largest indigenous market, but December's dry weather means the 2.5-hour drive from Quito on the Panamericana highway is reliably clear - during rainy months, fog and landslides can add hours. The market peaks from 9am-1pm when you'll find hundreds of vendors selling alpaca textiles, tagua nut carvings, and traditional clothing. Surrounding villages like Peguche (waterfall hikes) and San Pablo del Lago (lakeside walks at 2,660 m/8,727 ft elevation) make excellent additions. December mornings start cold at 6-8°C (43-46°F) but warm to 20°C (68°F) by noon.
Baños Adventure Sports and Thermal Bath Experiences
Baños sits at 1,820 m (5,971 ft) in a valley between the Andes and Amazon, giving it a unique microclimate - December temperatures range from 12-22°C (54-72°F) with moderate rainfall around 120 mm (4.7 inches). This is actually decent weather for the town's adventure activities: waterfall rappelling, zip-lining over the Pastaza River canyon, and mountain biking the Ruta de las Cascadas (20 km/12.4 miles of mostly downhill riding). The thermal baths fed by Tungurahua volcano's heated springs stay at 38-42°C (100-108°F) year-round - perfect after a day of hiking. The volcano itself has been quiet since 2016, but you'll still see occasional steam plumes.
December Events & Festivals
Pase del Niño Viajero (Traveling Child Procession)
This is Ecuador's most elaborate Christmas tradition, though the main event happens December 24th in Cuenca. Throughout December, you'll see smaller processions in Quito, Riobamba, and other highland cities as communities practice for the big day. Participants dress in traditional costumes representing biblical figures, indigenous characters, and local culture - think elaborate floats, dancing, bands, and hundreds of people parading through colonial streets. It's genuinely spectacular and not touristy at all - this is locals celebrating their own traditions.
Quito's Fiestas Fundacionales (Quito Foundation Day)
December 6th marks Quito's founding in 1534, and the city goes all out with a week of celebrations - bullfights in Plaza de Toros, street parties in the historic center, concerts in city parks, and the famous chivas (open-air party buses) running through neighborhoods with live bands. It's primarily a local celebration, so you'll experience authentic Quiteño culture rather than tourist-oriented events. Expect crowds and noise, especially in La Ronda street and Plaza Foch.