Things to Do in Ecuador in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Ecuador
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Coast gets bone-dry conditions in November - Guayaquil and the beaches see maybe 5mm (0.2 inches) of rain all month, which means you can actually plan beach days without checking weather apps obsessively. Water visibility for diving peaks at 20-25m (65-82 ft) around Isla de la Plata.
- Galapagos hits its sweet spot with sea lion pupping season and marine iguana nesting - November through January is when you'll see the most active wildlife behavior, not just animals sitting around. Water temps reach 22-24°C (72-75°F), warm enough for snorkeling without a full wetsuit.
- Highland markets are in full swing with harvest season produce - Otavalo, Saquisilí, and Guamote markets overflow with fresh potatoes, quinoa, and tree tomatoes that you won't find the rest of the year. Locals are actually buying, not just performing for tourists.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after the October tourist rush but before December holidays - you're looking at 20-30% lower accommodation rates compared to June-August, and domestic flights from Quito to Guayaquil drop to around $60-80 instead of $120-150. Tour operators have more availability and are willing to negotiate on multi-day packages.
Considerations
- Amazon basin gets hammered with rain - we're talking 250mm (9.8 inches) spread across 18-20 days, which means river levels rise and some jungle lodges become harder to access. Trails turn into mud slicks, and you'll spend more time in covered boats than hiking. Not ideal if you wanted that classic rainforest trek experience.
- Highland afternoons bring consistent rain from 2pm onwards - it's that predictable mountain weather pattern where mornings are gorgeous and by lunch you're scrambling for cover. Ruins like Ingapirca and Cotopaxi volcano hikes need to start by 6-7am, which isn't everyone's preferred schedule.
- Quito gets moody with grey skies and drizzle that makes the colonial center feel dreary rather than charming - the kind of weather where your photos come out flat and you spend more time in cafes than you planned. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you're expecting endless blue skies from equator-proximity assumptions.
Best Activities in November
Galapagos Island Multi-Day Cruises
November is legitimately one of the two best months for Galapagos wildlife activity. Sea lion pups are everywhere on the beaches, marine iguanas are nesting on Fernandina and Española, and the water is warm enough that you'll actually want to snorkel multiple times per day. The thing is, November sits between the two main tourist surges, so last-minute cabin availability is actually possible, unlike June-August when everything books 6-9 months out. You'll see maybe 60-70% capacity on most boats, which means less jockeying for position at wildlife viewing spots.
Coastal Whale Watching Excursions
Puerto Lopez and the Ruta del Sol still have humpback whales lingering in November - they're supposed to head south by October, but stragglers stick around through mid-November most years. The coast is completely dry this month, so boat trips don't get cancelled for weather like they do January-April. Water is calmer too, which matters if you're prone to seasickness. You're also combining this with visits to Isla de la Plata, which locals call 'poor man's Galapagos' for good reason - blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea turtles without the $400 park fee.
Quilotoa Loop Highland Trekking
The multi-day Quilotoa Loop trek works better in November than you'd think, despite being rainy season in the highlands. Here's why locals actually prefer it now - the trails are less dusty, the landscapes are green rather than brown, and indigenous communities are home from harvest rather than working fields all day. You will get afternoon rain, but if you're hiking lodge-to-lodge and starting each day by 7am, you're typically under roof by the time weather turns at 2pm. The crater lake itself looks more dramatic with clouds rolling through, though photographers might disagree.
Cloud Forest Birdwatching Around Mindo
Mindo cloud forest sits in this weird microclimate zone where November is actually drier than the Amazon but wetter than the coast - you get morning mist that burns off by 9-10am, perfect for birdwatching when birds are most active. This is migration season too, so you're seeing resident species plus North American migrants passing through. The famous cock-of-the-rock leks are most active November-December during mating displays. Trails are muddy but manageable with decent boots, and the waterfalls are actually flowing unlike the dry months when they're disappointing trickles.
Baños Adventure Sports Hub
Baños sits at 1,800m (5,900 ft) in a valley that gets less rain than surrounding highlands - November averages maybe 12-15 rainy days but usually just afternoon showers. This is Ecuador's adventure sports center, and November has the advantage of flowing rivers for rafting and canyoning without the June-August crowds. The Ruta de las Cascadas bike ride is actually better in November because waterfalls are impressive rather than dried up, and you can time the 61km (38 mile) route to finish before afternoon rain. The thermal baths are more appealing when it's cool and drizzly anyway.
Cuenca Colonial City Exploration
Cuenca in November is what Quito wishes it could be weather-wise - yes it rains, but the city sits in a valley at 2,500m (8,200 ft) where afternoon showers are brief and the colonial architecture actually looks better with wet cobblestones reflecting street lights. November is after the October independence celebrations but before the December holiday rush, so museums and churches aren't packed. The Panama hat factories and artisan workshops are fully operational since this isn't a major tourism month, meaning you'll see actual production rather than demonstrations. Thermal springs at Baños de Cuenca, 8km (5 miles) outside the city, are perfect for rainy afternoons.
November Events & Festivals
Independence of Cuenca Celebrations
November 3rd marks Cuenca's independence, and while the main festivities happen in late October through November 3rd, the atmosphere carries through the first week of November. You'll catch the tail end of street parades, traditional dance performances in Parque Calderon, and food stalls selling hornado and mote pillo. Not as massive as Quito's December celebrations, but more authentic since it's primarily locals celebrating rather than tourist-focused events.
All Souls Day Traditions
November 2nd is Día de los Difuntos, when Ecuadorians visit cemeteries with flowers and hold family gatherings. The food tradition is colada morada, a thick purple drink made from black corn and fruits, served with guaguas de pan (bread shaped like swaddled babies). Markets and bakeries sell these for about a week surrounding November 2nd. It's not a tourist event, but if you're in Quito or Cuenca during this time, trying colada morada from a local market is worth the experience - it tastes like spiced berry compote.