Weather
Quito & Highlands: Quito is broadly representative of the Highlands region as a whole and August sees another month of bright, sunny weather that is pretty much as good as it gets all year. Better still for outdoors-lovers, it is dry, and average rainfall for the month in the vicinity of Quito remains very low at 1.25 inches/32mm. Bright clear weather means colder although often beautifully star-filled nights.
Oriente/Amazon: Rainfall is generally down: in Parque Nacional Yasuni monthly precipitation is not much off its annual low. Jungle roads and paths are about as good as they get: free of landslides and firmer underfoot.
Desert Coastal Strip & Galapagos: Guayaquil, broadly representative of coastal Ecuador, records an average rainfall of precisely nothing whatsoever in August, and the dry weather does not bring the warmth, with comparatively cool temperatures (not to mention fog) all along the seaboard. Fog and cooler weather has also come to the Galapagos (and it's here to stay for several months!). However, this does not stop visitors, which are descending on the islands in their biggest numbers of the year.
Crowds & Costs
August receives some of the greatest visitor numbers of any month in Ecuador, due in part to the fact both Ecuadorians and travelers (particularly North American and European) have holidays around now, and deals in any region are hard to come by. The one exception to this may be quieter parts of the Ecuadorian coast. For places where tours are necessary, there are likely to be more departing tours than in other months.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Where to Go
Quito & Highlands: It is Ecuador's mountainous outdoors that should top your wish list on an August visit. In Quito, spend time climbing to some of the many viewpoints, or take the TelefériQo up to volcanic peak Volcán Pichincha. Head south to Latacunga to hike the Quillota Loop or have an adventure in Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, full of volcanoes and memorable trails.
Near Cuenca, the best place to hike this month now that the driest weather of the year has reached it is Parque Nacional Cajas, high lake-spattered moorland and mountain full of dwarf forests of polylepis trees, some of the highest forests in the world. Baños on the cusp between mountains and jungle also has lots of outdoor activities on offer: see below for more details.
Oriente/Amazon: Parque Nacional Yasuni is a good place to visit this month, where jungle hiking trails are quite dry and where elaborate canopy walkways make it possible to see birds sunning themselves in the canopy in the increased sunshine. Another good place to base yourself might be Puyo, a place from which to visit the central jungle. Agencies here offer land-based jungle trips to spots within a few hours' journey from town.
Desert Coastal Strip & Galapagos: Probably the place to base yourself on the coast is Puerto López. It has hiking in nearby rainforest and trips to the Isla de la Plata, where you can observe whales and other marine animals and birds. Guayaquil is a vibrant and interesting city, with a rejuvenated waterfront, several diverting museums and fantastic nightlife to take your mind away from the overcast August weather.
What to Do
Quito & Highlands: In August, walking is the key activity in the Highlands. Even Quito has many beautiful viewpoints that you can walk to or take a gondola-cable car to: Quito's TelefériQo transports you up the slopes of Volcán Pichincha, a volcano, to nearly 13123 feet/4,000m. There are superb treks to do in the mountains, such as the Quillota Loop or hikes in Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, which is full of spectacular volcanoes. Neither are far from Quito.
Another good place for diverse outdoor activities is Baños, where you can try mountain-biking, bungee-jumping or bathing in natural thermal pools.
Oriente/Amazon: The smaller tributaries that are fun to explore by canoe have often dried up in the Cuyabeno Reserve. But this can be the perfect time to explore the jungle on its pathways. Some of these lead to canopy walkways that are great for watching the forest from above. You also see different wildlife: that which lives on or in the trees, such as snakes and spiders!
Desert Coastal Strip & Galapagos: With all that coastal fog, it might be a good time to try some coastal hiking, as it is colder for sitting around on the beach. A great place around now to base yourself is Puerto López. Here you are well placed for trekking in the teeming rainforest of Parque Nacional Machalilla, with excellent hikes and beaches and an indigenous community at Agua Blanca.
Then, of course, there are the boat trips to Isla de la Plata, where whale sightings are common at this time and where much of the same wildlife visible in the Galapagos can be seen.
This is also a brilliant month for diving and snorkeling in the Galapagos. Water visibility is less than the first half of the year, but still decent. However, increased nutrients in the waters increase sightings of one of the blockbuster marine animals, the whale sharks, as well as other nutrient-loving sea creatures. Blue-footed boobies nest this month, sea lions are giving birth and whales and dolphins are commonly spotted.
August Events
Festival de las Virgen de las Nieves: all August. A town in Chimborazo province called Sicalpa Viejo celebrates the 'Virgin of the Snow' for an entire month with processions, parades, traditional food and general merrymaking.
La Virgen del Cisne: August 15. The 'Virgin of the Swan' celebrations are a 43.5 mile/70km-long procession of devotees culminating in Loja, commemorating when a vision of Mary appeared in El Cisne in Loja province in the late 16th century.
More Helpful Information
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Ecuador in September
Best Time to Visit Ecuador
Ecuador Tours & Itineraries