Ecuador Quito Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Quito is moderate
Quito Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 20° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 110mm · 16 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Quito in January averages a high of 20°C and low of 9°C with 110mm of rain over about 16 days. Spring-like all year — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing: a t-shirt or shirt by day, a sweater and light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. A rain jacket or umbrella for frequent afternoon showers, and SPF for the intense equatorial sun.
January is moderate for Quito.
January falls in Quito's wetter season — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F), with mornings often bright and clear before afternoon showers roll in (about 110mm over many days). Being on the equator at 2,850m, the temperature barely changes through the year; the real variable is rain.
The city is a little quieter after the New Year holiday, and prices are moderate. Mornings are the time for sightseeing and day trips — get to Cotopaxi or the TelefériQo early, before afternoon cloud and rain build.
Travel score
Quito January Weather Stats
Avg High
20°C
Avg Low
9°C
Rainy Days
16
110mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
76%
comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
17 μg/m³
PM10
32 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
20°C
Nighttime
9°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Bright clear mornings most days
- Comfortable spring-like daytime temperatures
- Quieter after the New Year
- Moderate prices
Cons
- Frequent afternoon showers
- Cool nights need a layer
- Extreme UV at altitude
- Mountain views often clouded by afternoon
January Events & Festivals
- Wet season — bright mornings, afternoon showers
- Holiday hangover: quieter after New Year
- Near-12-hour days year-round (sunrise ~6:15, sunset ~18:25)
- Strong UV at altitude even when cool
Quito in January — Full Picture
January falls in Quito's wetter season — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F), with mornings often bright and clear before afternoon showers roll in (about 110mm over many days). Being on the equator at 2,850m, the temperature barely changes through the year; the real variable is rain.
The city is a little quieter after the New Year holiday, and prices are moderate. Mornings are the time for sightseeing and day trips — get to Cotopaxi or the TelefériQo early, before afternoon cloud and rain build.
The altitude sun is intense even on cool, cloudy days, so sunscreen and a hat matter every day. Pack layers for the wide day-night temperature swing — it's pleasant by day and genuinely cool after dark.
Note: this is one of the wetter months, so plan flexible, morning-weighted days and carry a rain jacket. Indoor sights — the churches, museums, and the Historic Center arcades — are good rainy-afternoon backups.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Spring-like all year — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing: a t-shirt or shirt by day, a sweater and light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. A rain jacket or umbrella for frequent afternoon showers, and SPF for the intense equatorial sun.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
20°C
9°C
17.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21°C
8°C
8.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
20.3°C
8.7°C
13.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current20°C
9°C
15.7/mo
Quito Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20° | 9° | 16d·110mm | 5h | 76% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 9° | 16d·120mm | 5h | 77% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 9° | 18d·145mm | 4.5h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 9° | 18d·155mm | 4.5h | 79% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 9° | 16d·115mm | 5h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| June (Best) | 21° | 8° | 10d·45mm | 6.5h | 73% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| July (Best) | 21° | 8° | 7d·25mm | 7h | 70% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 21° | 8° | 8d·30mm | 7h | 70% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 21° | 8° | 11d·65mm | 6h | 72% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 20° | 9° | 15d·110mm | 5h | 76% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 9° | 15d·105mm | 5h | 76% | 11 | Busy | Peak | |
| 20° | 9° | 15d·100mm | 5.5h | 75% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Quito January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Quito?
Quito in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Quito in January?
Quito January averages a high of 20°C and a low of 9°C.
Does it rain much in Quito in January?
Quito January averages 110mm of rainfall over about 16 rainy days.
What should I wear in Quito in January?
Spring-like all year — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing: a t-shirt or shirt by day, a sweater and light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. A rain jacket or umbrella for frequent afternoon showers, and SPF for the intense equatorial sun.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Quito in January?
Quito January sunrise is 06:15 and sunset is 18:25, with 12h 10min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Quito in January?
Quito January air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 17μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Quito in January?
In January, Quito is great for Historic Center churches & plazas (morning), TelefériQo on a clear morning, Indoor museums on rainy afternoons.
Is January peak season in Quito?
Quito January crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Quito
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Quito?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.