What January feels like in Quito
January falls in Quito's wet season — the rainfall numbers rise clearly above the dry months. Afternoons are cool, pleasant for walking as long as you keep a layer on. There is little difference between day and night: nights are cool, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Quito in January
Dry days are the exception, with rain on most days. Rainy days are intense, averaging about 12 mm (0.5 in) — downpours rather than drizzle. That is close to Quito's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 10.6 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in January
On 15 January the sun rises at about 6:19 am and sets around 6:26 pm local time, giving 12 h 8 min of daylight. Day length is essentially the same as in mid-December. Close to the equator, sunrise and sunset times move very little through the year. The sun is out for roughly 76% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How January compares to the rest of the year
In Quito's temperature order, January sits as the 3rd coolest month. It is about as warm as December, with 4 mm less rain. Temperatures barely move from one month to the next here. February averages a high of 16°C (60.8°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — rain falls on more than half the days.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — rain interrupts outdoor plans.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — with rain on most days, galleries and museums make easy plans.
Tips for visiting Quito in January
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Light Jacket
A light jacket or knit layer is enough for most of the day.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Quito in January?
Expect around 16°C (60.8°F) in the afternoon and 8.8°C (47.8°F) at night, which most visitors would call cool.
Does it rain a lot in Quito in January?
Quite a lot — 324 mm spread over about 27 days.
What should I wear in Quito in January?
Based on the averages: rain protection, a light jacket and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is January or February better for visiting Quito?
On our 12-month climate ranking, February comes out ahead (#5 of 12 vs #8). February has fewer rainy days.