Month guide · Quito · Ecuador
Quito in January
What January is really like in Quito: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January 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. Often sunny mornings and some afternoon rain, with holiday visitors in the first week of the year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the 4th-warmest 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 December (19°C (66°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:19
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:27
- 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, January rates 3 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 January
January has no major recurring festival in Quito, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Bellavista (Quito)
Capilla del Hombre and Casa Museo Guayasamín
Take a taxi up the Bellavista hill and see both buildings on one ticket; the guided visits help explain the paintings.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
Museum · Centro Histórico
Casa del Alabado Museum
In a restored 17th-century house near Plaza San Francisco, this museum shows pre-Columbian Ecuadorian ceramics, stone seats and gold work arranged around themes of the cosmos and ancestors rather than by date.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · San Juan
Yaku Parque Museo del Agua
Pair it with the Basílica del Voto Nacional, a short taxi ride or a steep walk below.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Museum · Centro Histórico
Museo de la Ciudad
Housed in the colonial San Juan de Dios hospital on Calle García Moreno, near La Ronda, this museum tells the story of daily life in Quito from pre-Hispanic times to the 20th century, with reconstructed scenes and models that children can follow.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
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 January a good time to visit Quito?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Quito in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Quito?
It is a shoulder-season month. Often sunny mornings and some afternoon rain, with holiday visitors in the first week of the year.
+How warm is Quito in January?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Quito in January?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.