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Iglesia de La Campania, Quito, Ecuador

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Ecuador weather, climate and geography

Weather & climate

Best time to visit: 

Weather varies greatly, depending on the altitude. The coastal and Amazonian lowlands have a wet equatorial climate, but the higher you go, the colder it becomes. Most large cities are located in a fairly comfortable subtropical zone, although it can be very cold at night in Quito. Further up, it can be cold at all times. Ecuador is a year-round destination, but highland areas are best visited during the dry season - from June to September.

Required clothing: 

Lightweight natural fabrics; rainwear in subtropical areas. Warmer clothes are needed in upland areas.

Geography

Ecuador is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The Andes running from the Colombian border in the north to Peru in the south have two main ranges - the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, divided by the Avenue of Volcanoes. The coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific is covered by tropical forests and plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar. The Amazon jungle comprises 36% of Ecuador's land area, but contains only 3% of the population. Colonisation is, however, increasing in the wake of the oil boom.

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