Month guide · Quito · Ecuador
Quito in December
What December is really like in Quito: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 12.1 hours of daylight. Festive month with the Fiestas de Quito, Christmas nativity displays and New Year's Eve effigy burning.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Quito: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with November (19°C (66°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:05
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:13
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
Main rains (February–May). The wettest stretch, with heavy afternoon downpours peaking in March and April, plus Carnival and Holy Week.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Fiestas de Quito — founding anniversary with concerts and parades (usually late November to 6 December)
- Años viejos — effigies burned at midnight on New Year's Eve (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · El Panecillo
El Panecillo
A hill south of the Old Town is crowned by a winged aluminium Virgin of Quito standing on a globe, assembled in the 1970s from thousands of pieces.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Pichincha slopes
TelefériQo
Go early, as clouds usually build by midday, and bring a warm jacket; spend a day or two in Quito first to acclimatise.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Landmark · San Antonio de Pichincha
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
About 25 km north of the centre, a 30-metre monument marks the equator line calculated by the French Geodesic Mission in the 18th century, surrounded by a park of museums, shops and restaurants.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Centro Histórico
Basílica del Voto Nacional
The final ladders to the top are exposed and narrow; skip them if you dislike heights and enjoy the view from the lower walkway.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- Active
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 10°C and 13 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Quito?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Quito in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Quito?
It is a shoulder-season month. Festive month with the Fiestas de Quito, Christmas nativity displays and New Year's Eve effigy burning.
+How warm is Quito in December?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Quito in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.