Things to Do in Ecuador in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Ecuador
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season in the Galápagos means calmer seas for boat travel and excellent visibility for snorkeling and diving - water temps hover around 22-24°C (72-75°F) and you'll actually see marine life without battling choppy conditions
- Highland weather is at its most reliable - mornings are crisp and clear around 8-10°C (46-50°F), perfect for hiking before afternoon clouds roll in around 2pm, giving you predictable windows for outdoor activities in Quito, Otavalo, and Cuenca
- Coastal beaches are less crowded than December holidays but still warm and sunny - you'll find accommodation prices drop 20-30% after New Year while weather stays consistently pleasant at 28-30°C (82-86°F)
- January sits right at the start of whale season preparation along the coast - while peak viewing is June-September, operators are gearing up and offering discounted early-season rates, plus you'll catch the tail end of sea turtle nesting season at certain beaches
Considerations
- Amazon region enters its wettest period with afternoon downpours that can last 2-3 hours - trails turn muddy, river levels rise unpredictably, and some lodges become difficult to access, though wildlife viewing actually improves as animals congregate around water sources
- Highland evenings get genuinely cold, dropping to 6-8°C (43-46°F) in Quito and even lower in places like Cotopaxi - most budget accommodations lack heating, and that 3am bathroom trip becomes a test of willpower
- Tourist infrastructure in smaller highland towns operates on reduced schedules post-holidays - some restaurants and tour operators take their annual break in early January, particularly the first two weeks after New Year
Best Activities in January
Galápagos Islands Wildlife Tours
January offers some of the year's best conditions for experiencing the Galápagos - seas are calmer making boat transfers more comfortable, water visibility reaches 15-20m (49-66 ft) for snorkeling, and you'll catch green sea turtles nesting on beaches while marine iguanas display their breeding colors. Water temperature sits around 22-24°C (72-75°F), which is cool but tolerable with a 3mm wetsuit. Giant tortoises are active in the highlands, and blue-footed boobies begin their courtship dances. The dry season means less rain interrupting your daily excursions, though you'll still want a light rain layer for occasional showers.
Cotopaxi Volcano Hiking
January's dry highland weather creates ideal conditions for tackling Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Mornings are typically clear until 1-2pm when clouds roll in, giving you a reliable 5-6 hour window for the climb to the refugio at 4,800m (15,748 ft) or summit attempts starting at midnight. Temperatures at the parking area start around 5°C (41°F) and drop to -10°C (-14°F) at the refugio. The volcanic ash trails are dry and firm rather than muddy, making the approach significantly easier than wet season months. Even if you're not summit-bound, day trips to the lower slopes and Limpiopungo lagoon offer stunning views with minimal cloud cover.
Otavalo Indigenous Market and Highland Villages
January weather in the northern highlands is perfect for exploring Otavalo's famous Saturday market and surrounding villages - mornings are cool and clear around 10-12°C (50-54°F), ideal for walking through the textile and produce stalls before afternoon clouds arrive. The market is actually less crowded in January than peak June-August months, giving you better access to artisans and more genuine interactions. Nearby villages like Peguche with its waterfall and San Antonio de Ibarra known for woodcarving make excellent day trips. The surrounding Imbabura region offers hiking around crater lakes like Cuicocha where morning visibility extends for kilometers.
Mindo Cloud Forest Birdwatching and Nature Activities
January sits in Mindo's drier period, though being a cloud forest you'll still get afternoon mist and occasional showers - that's actually when the forest comes alive. Mornings from 6-10am offer the best birdwatching with over 450 species including toucans, tanagers, and hummingbirds most active. Temperatures hover around 18-22°C (64-72°F), comfortable for hiking the various waterfall trails and canopy zip-lines. The Mindo-Nambillo reserve maintains good trail conditions in January unlike the muddy mess of March-May. Butterfly farms and chocolate tours provide solid backup options when afternoon rains arrive around 2-3pm.
Quilotoa Loop Highland Trekking
The Quilotoa Loop's volcanic crater lake and indigenous villages see excellent weather in January - dry trails, clear morning views, and that stunning turquoise lake visible from kilometers away. The multi-day trek through villages like Chugchilán, Isinliví, and Tigua covers 40-50 km (25-31 miles) at altitudes between 3,000-3,900m (9,843-12,795 ft), with January's dry conditions making river crossings easier and trails less muddy. Day visitors can hike the crater rim or descend 280m (919 ft) to the lake shore - the climb back up takes 45-60 minutes and will test your acclimatization. Temperatures range from 2°C (36°F) at sunrise to 15°C (59°F) midday.
Baños Adventure Sports and Hot Springs
Baños sits at the edge of the Amazon where the highlands meet the jungle, giving it a unique microclimate in January - mornings tend clear and warm around 20°C (68°F), perfect for mountain biking the Ruta de las Cascadas waterfall route or hiking to viewpoints of Tungurahua volcano. Afternoon rain is likely around 3-4pm but usually passes within an hour. The town's famous hot springs fed by volcanic activity are particularly appealing after January's cool highland evenings. Activities like canyoning, zip-lining across waterfalls, and the Casa del Árbol swing all operate year-round, though morning slots offer better weather reliability.
January Events & Festivals
Año Viejo New Year's Celebrations
While technically December 31st into January 1st, the Año Viejo tradition dominates early January conversations and cleanup. Ecuadorians burn elaborate life-sized dolls representing the old year at midnight, and you'll see these effigies for sale on roadsides throughout late December. The tradition combines indigenous and Spanish influences, and neighborhoods throw street parties with music and dancing. Major cities essentially shut down January 1st as everyone recovers.
Diablada de Píllaro
This lesser-known festival in the small highland town of Píllaro features dancers in elaborate devil masks and costumes parading through streets for six days. The tradition dates back to indigenous resistance against Spanish colonization, and it's genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented. The colorful masks are handcrafted and each tells a specific story. Worth the 2-hour trip from Ambato if you're in the central highlands during early January.