Things to Do in Ecuador in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Ecuador
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Galápagos water visibility peaks in March at 15-25m (49-82 ft) as the transition from warm to cool season begins - you'll actually see hammerhead schools at Darwin's Arch that are harder to spot in murkier months. Water temps hover around 23-25°C (73-77°F), warm enough to skip the full wetsuit.
- Highland markets are absolutely loaded with fresh produce in March as the rainy season winds down - Otavalo's Saturday market has twice the fruit vendors compared to dry season, and you'll find tree tomatoes, naranjilla, and babaco at their cheapest. Local families stock up now before winter harvest gaps.
- Crowd levels drop significantly after Carnival (usually early March) - Quito's historic center goes from packed tour groups to maybe 30% capacity by mid-month. Hotel prices in popular spots like Baños drop 20-30% compared to February, and you can actually book cloud forest lodges with just 5-7 days notice instead of the usual month ahead.
- The Amazon is transitionally drier in March compared to April-May peaks, meaning trails around lodges near Coca or Tena are muddy but walkable - you're not slogging through ankle-deep water yet. Wildlife viewing stays excellent because animals congregate around shrinking water sources, and afternoon rain showers are predictable enough (typically 2-4pm) to plan around.
Considerations
- March sits awkwardly between seasons across Ecuador - the coast is finishing its hot rainy period while the highlands are ending their wet season, which means you're basically guaranteed rain somewhere on a multi-region trip. Pack for three different climates if you're moving around, which gets annoying with luggage limits.
- Early March overlaps with the tail end of Carnival celebrations (dates shift yearly but often fall in late February into early March), which means coastal beach towns like Montañita get absolutely mobbed with domestic tourists playing water fights. If Carnival lands in your travel dates, expect inflated prices and booked-solid accommodations in party zones - either embrace the chaos or avoid the coast entirely that week.
- The Galápagos sits in a transition period where neither the warm season (December-May) nor cool season (June-November) is fully established - you might get fantastic conditions or you might hit weird weather windows. It's less predictable than the sweet spots of April or October, though still perfectly good for most visitors.
Best Activities in March
Galápagos Multi-Island Snorkeling and Wildlife Tours
March catches the Galápagos right as marine conditions shift from warm to cool season, creating exceptional underwater visibility before the June-August crowds arrive. Water temps around 23-25°C (73-77°F) mean you can snorkel comfortably with just a 3mm shorty wetsuit rather than the full 5mm you'll need by July. Sea lion pups born in August-September are now bold and playful underwater, and you'll spot marine iguanas feeding on algae in shallower areas. The transition period brings nutrient upwelling that attracts hammerheads and manta rays without the rougher seas of peak cool season. Land-based tours also benefit from lower visitor numbers post-Carnival - you'll share viewing platforms at tortoise reserves with maybe a dozen people instead of fifty.
Cotopaxi Volcano Hiking and High-Altitude Acclimatization Treks
March marks the tail end of the highland rainy season, which means Cotopaxi's trails are still green and photogenic but drying out enough for solid footing. You'll encounter afternoon clouds rolling in around 1-2pm most days, so early morning starts (6-7am departures) are non-negotiable for summit attempts or even the José Ribas Refuge hike to 4,800m (15,748 ft). The mountain gets about 40% fewer visitors in March compared to the June-August dry season peak, meaning the refuge isn't a sardine can and you can actually take photos without tourists in every frame. Snow conditions on the glacier are generally stable this time of year - not the icy hardpack of August but not the slushy mess of May either. Worth noting that weather windows for summit attempts are shorter in March, so flexible scheduling helps if you're serious about the 5,897m (19,347 ft) peak.
Amazon Rainforest Lodge Stays with Wildlife Spotting and Canopy Walks
March sits in a transitional rainfall period in the Amazon basin - you're getting daily afternoon showers (usually 2-4pm for 1-2 hours) but not the sustained downpours of April-May. This means jungle trails are muddy but passable, and rivers are high enough for canoe access to oxbow lakes without being flooded into the forest. Wildlife viewing actually improves in March because animals concentrate around water sources as some smaller streams start drying up - you'll spot more monkeys, birds, and even tapirs near lodges compared to the wetter months when everything disperses. The humidity hovers around 80-85%, which is standard Amazon, but temperatures stay comfortable at 28-30°C (82-86°F) rather than the brutal 35°C (95°F) you might hit in October. Lodges near Coca (accessed via short flights from Quito) or Tena (4-5 hour drive) offer canopy towers, night walks, and indigenous community visits - March availability is decent with 7-10 days advance booking.
Quilotoa Loop Multi-Day Hiking Circuit
The Quilotoa Loop through indigenous highland villages hits a sweet spot in March - trails are still green from rainy season but starting to firm up, and the famous crater lake shows that brilliant turquoise color best in the softer light of shoulder season. You'll hike through páramo grasslands and agricultural valleys connecting villages like Isinliví, Chugchilán, and Quilotoa itself, typically covering 12-18 km (7.5-11 miles) per day at elevations between 3,000-3,900m (9,843-12,795 ft). March means fewer trekkers on the trail - you might pass 5-10 other hikers daily instead of the 30-40 in July. Afternoon rain showers hit maybe 60% of days, usually starting around 2-3pm, so early starts are smart. Local families offer homestays for 15-25 USD per night including dinner and breakfast, and the cultural immersion aspect is genuinely authentic - you're staying with Kichwa families who farm and weave, not tourist-focused guesthouses.
Otavalo Indigenous Market and Surrounding Highland Villages
Otavalo's Saturday market reaches peak abundance in March as highland farmers bring fresh harvests before the cooler dry season sets in - you'll find fruit and vegetable sections absolutely loaded with produce that's sparse or expensive in other months. The famous textile and craft market stays consistent year-round, but March brings slightly fewer tour buses compared to June-August, meaning you can actually negotiate prices without ten other tourists hovering at the same stall. The surrounding villages - Peguche with its waterfall, Cotacachi known for leather goods, and San Pablo lake - make excellent day trips with March's clearer morning weather before afternoon clouds roll in. Water levels at Peguche Falls are still high from rainy season, making the 18m (59 ft) cascade more impressive than the trickle you'll see by October. Local families are preparing for Pawkar Raymi (spring equinox celebrations) in late March, so you might catch preparatory ceremonies if your timing aligns.
Mindo Cloud Forest Birdwatching, Zip-lining, and Waterfall Hikes
Mindo's cloud forest sits at 1,200-1,400m (3,937-4,593 ft) elevation where March weather creates ideal conditions - morning mist burns off by 9-10am for birdwatching, then afternoon showers around 3-4pm keep everything lush without being a complete washout. This is peak season for certain bird species including tanagers, toucans, and the famous Andean cock-of-the-rock displaying at leks. The cloud forest ecosystem is absolutely vibrant in March with orchids blooming and butterflies everywhere - the butterfly farm near town shows 20-30 species actively flying compared to maybe 10-15 in drier months. Adventure activities like zip-lining and waterfall hikes benefit from March's moderate crowds - you'll wait maybe 10-15 minutes for zip-line turns instead of the 45-minute queues in July. Water levels at the seven waterfalls circuit are still robust from rainy season, making the hikes worthwhile, though trails get slippery so proper footwear matters.
March Events & Festivals
Carnival Celebrations (dates vary yearly, often late February into early March)
Carnival in Ecuador is absolutely not the family-friendly parade you might imagine - it's a full-contact water war mixed with foam spray, flour bombs, and occasional eggs. Coastal cities like Montañita, Salinas, and Atacames turn into massive beach parties with domestic tourists, while highland cities like Ambato host more organized parades and cultural events. Ambato's Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas (Flower and Fruit Festival) runs concurrent with Carnival and features elaborate floats, beauty pageants, and street markets - it's the more tourist-friendly version if you want Carnival energy without getting drenched. Worth noting that if Carnival falls during your March trip, coastal accommodations will be completely booked and prices double or triple. Either plan around it or embrace the chaos - there's no middle ground.
Pawkar Raymi (Spring Equinox Celebrations in Indigenous Communities)
Pawkar Raymi marks the spring equinox around March 21st with indigenous Kichwa communities celebrating the flowering season and preparing for harvests. Celebrations are most authentic in highland communities around Otavalo, Cotacachi, and Cayambe - you'll see traditional music, ritual bathing in waterfalls (particularly at Peguche Falls), and ceremonial foods. This is not a tourist-oriented festival like Inti Raymi in June, so access requires either local connections or staying in community-run accommodations where families might invite you to participate. The celebrations blend pre-Columbian traditions with Catholic elements, and ceremonies often happen at dawn near sacred sites or water sources. If you're genuinely interested in indigenous culture beyond surface-level tourism, Pawkar Raymi offers rare access, but respect and cultural sensitivity are absolutely critical.