Esmeraldas: When to Go

Like the rest of Ecuador, Esmeraldas has two seasons. The wet season (roughly January to May) sees sunny days with afternoon downpours; the dry season (roughly June to December) is generally cooler and overcast. Temperatures are moderate year-round. The tourist high seasons are generally mid-December through January and June through August.

Major holidays and festivals tend to follow the religious calender in Esmeraldas, and are well worth planning your trip around. The biggest events are New Year, Carnaval (February/March), Semana Santa (Easter), All Saints' Day and Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2 respectively), and Christmas. Remember that banks and services close on public holidays and transport gets very crowded.

Weather

The wet season is roughly January to May. Despite daily afternoon downpours, you can look forward to sunny days worthy of a trip to the beach - towel under one arm, umbrella under the other. The dry season is roughly June to December when it's usually cooler and overcast. Temperatures are pleasant year-round with averages of around 23°C (73°F) at night and 27°C (81°F) during the day.

Temperature (average ° C)

Rainfall (average mm)