Ecuador's Climate Zones: From Coast to Amazon to Galápagos

Straddling the equator, Ecuador packs extreme climatic diversity into a small area due to andine topography and the Humboldt Current.

1. Costa (Coastal Lowlands)

• Climate: Tropical wet/dry (Aw).
• Temps: 22–34°C (72–93°F) year-round.
• Seasons: Wet (Jan–Apr), Dry (Jun–Nov). Guayaquil, Manta, Salinas.

2. Sierra (Andean Highlands)

• Climate: Altitude-driven. "Eternal spring" in valleys (Quito 15–22°C / 59–72°F; Cuenca similar).
• Lapse Rate: ~2°C per 300m (3.6°F/1000ft).
• Páramo (3,000–4,500m): Cold, wet, unique flora (frailejones). Glaciers on volcanoes (Cotopaxi, Chimborazo) retreating fast.

3. Oriente (Amazon Rainforest)

• Climate: Tropical rainforest (Af).
• Temps: 24–35°C (75–95°F), high humidity, rain year-round (3,000–5,000 mm).
• Yasuní, Cuyabeno — biodiversity hotspots.

4. Galápagos Islands

• Climate: Subtropical, ocean-moderated.
• Temps: 20–29°C (69–84°F).
• Seasons: Warm/Wet (Jan–May), Cool/Dry/Garúa (Jun–Dec) — mist, nutrient upwelling.

Humboldt Current

Cold, nutrient-rich current from Antarctica → upwelling off Peru/EC coast → fuels marine productivity, moderates coastal temps, creates arid coast (Sechura Desert extends to S. Ecuador).