Wondering what to pack for our Ecuador women-only tour? Going on an expedition to the Ecuadorian Amazon, rain forest and other amazing parts of the country in the spring?
In this article you’ll find an intro to the weather in Ecuador and a handy list of suggestions for things women should pack for this trip.
See our Amazon Ecuador packing list with all the product recommendations mentioned here.
The weather in Ecuador
Ecuador is a small country that packs in many eco-systems requiring completely different outfits.
Despite its location right on the Equator, the altitude makes several regions much colder than any other tropical country, and visitors are often caught off guard when packing because they assume it will be warm and humid everywhere, when the reality is much different.
From the arid high altitude mountains and rain forests to the Amazon basin or the coast, you will encounter dry, cold, warm, humid and wet climates, all requiring specific clothing to be comfortable and prepared.
On any given day, you can experience all 4 seasons, with winds and cold weather at higher altitudes and wet and humid conditions in the lower altitudes of the Amazon.
The seasons in Ecuador minimally overlap and when it is best time to visit the Galapagos, it may not be the best time to visit the mainland, the city of Quito, the avenue of volcanoes or the rainforest, including the Amazon, so it pays to be smart when choosing when to go, as the shoulder months offer the best chance at good weather across the board.
As the country sits right on the Equator, the sun rises and sets at the same time year round, and temperatures don’t vary much in most cities including Quito, the Amazon or Otavalo.
Weather in Ecuador in May
May is a great time to visit Ecuador if you are also looking to combine the mainland with the Galapagos like we do on our tour. It isn’t the best month to visit either of the destinations on their own, but it’s a great “compromise month” if you are visiting more than one part of the country, especially the Amazon and the Galapagos.
Most importantly, the weather does not affect wildlife watching because all regions are teeming with animals year-round and you will be able to spot them no matter when you visit.
Weather in Quito in May
Quito has the same temperatures year round, but it is drier in the summer months than in the winter, when it rains more.
- Temperatures range from 10 to 19 Celsius (50 to 62 Fahrenheit) year round, with nighttime and early morning temperatures being pretty cold. The city’s altitude and its position among mountains keeps the climate pretty constant.
- The hours of sunshine do change month by month as a result of the rainfall and the mountains around it, with keep clouds pretty constantly above the city. In May, you can expect around 6 hours of sunshine.
- The weather is typically good at this time of year, as the rainy season is ending and the number of days with rainfall returns to an average of between 7 and 13. May isn’t the driest month of the year, those are the summer months, but is a great shoulder season to combine with other parts of the country.
Weather in the Amazon in May
The Amazon is a rainforest which means that it’s wet and rainy year round. The area receives rain about two-thirds of the year, so the chance is high no matter when you visit.
Furthermore, the forest collects 80% of its water from the humidity in the air so it is also damp with humidity levels between 70-90% all year, no matter when you visit.
- Temperatures range from 24 to 32 Celsius (75 to 90 Fahrenheit) almost throughout the year and in May and the humidity is always high at around 70%.
- The weather is good at this time of year, as the rainy season is ending and the number of days with rainfall drops. Only 1/20th of the annual precipitation falls in this month, with afternoon downpours making day time exploration easy.
Weather in Otavalo in May
Otavalo sits at high altitude so is always cool and covered in clouds, even in the driest season as the high mountains trap them in the area. However, May is a pretty good month to visit.
- Temperatures range from 11 to 20 Celsius (52 to 58 Fahrenheit) throughout the year.
- May is a transition month from the rainy to dry season and there is a 40% chance of rain, though precipitation is much lower than in the rest of the rainy months. You should expect about 15 days with some rain.
How to dress in Ecuador
Now that you know what the weather will be like in May, we will discuss considerations and recommendations for what to wear.
The most important advice to keep in mind when packing for a trip to Ecuador that includes the Amazon is to pack light, wash as you go, and bring breathable technical gear designed for wet environments that dries quickly. Waterproof layers you can quickly place on top in case of the guaranteed downpour are essential.
Breathable materials, proper cover
If you’re visiting the Amazon, where temperatures and humidity are very high, you may be tempted to wear short sleeves, tank tops or shorts, but that would be foolish.
Breathable, active clothing that covers legs and arms and is made for this kind of climate and activity, and is what local guides wear, so this should be a hint.
This kind of clothing is typically light, made of natural materials designed to let you breathe, and dries quickly, and this is also your best option to protect from insects, especially mosquitoes, branches, and other vegetation that may scratch you while hiking in the rainforest.
You will be in very humid environments where it is hard to keep things dry, so quick-dry materials are extra useful.
Premium lodges have small dry boxes for guests to use and place items that just won’t dry in the climate, like electronics or even shoes, but you won’t be able to place clothes there.
Waterproof layers
Ecuador is a colder and wetter destination than most visitors expect it to be.
Even if you visit in the summer or in the driest months, the altitude makes the weather colder and the chance of rain is always there, so bringing a jacket and waterproof layers is critical.
In the warmer destinations such as the Amazon, a large poncho that you can quickly place over yourself and your backpack is useful. If you have waterproof bottom layers you can place over your trousers, that is also useful, although you may end up sweating a lot.
Premium lodges, such as the one we stay at during our tour, provide large raincoats to put over yourself when the rain comes that guides carry and always have handy, but they can be hotter than a simple poncho.
Rain is always possible and unexpected, so you should always pack the waterproof layers in your backpack when setting out on a hike.
If you have a waterproof backpack, you should also bring it, although it may be easier to have it on you and under the poncho or raincoat.
In the higher altitude areas such as Otavalo or Quito, where rain is also common but temperatures are cooler, a waterproof jacket will be more useful since temperatures aren’t that high and technical hiking gear like the one you will wear in the Amazon isn’t the norm.
Pack light
Domestic flights in Ecuador to Coca for the Amazon or to the Galapagos are on small propeller planes with limited space so there is a maximum weight limit allowance of 20kg for checked luggage.
Inter-island flights in the Galapagos only allow for 10kg of checked luggage, larger suitcases will have to be taken by boat which delays their arrival.
It is strongly advised to travel light, but because of the high humidity and rain, your clothes will have to be washed more often than usual. Your best bet is hand washing clothes on the go (not in the Amazon where they will never dry) or using the laundry services at hotels. This is also why quick dry clothing will come in handy.
Casual wins
Because of the ever changing weather, rain and wind, most people dress quite casually in Ecuador.
While tourists are often spotted in technical active wear (hiking boots, trousers and safari hats) in Quito, locals prefer to wear colorful fabrics from the various indigenous groups or casual wear.
What to pack for a trip to Ecuador
Now that we have a general sense of what to pack, here are specific recommendations for things to bring with you to Ecuador.
Technical active wear for the Amazon
This is your chance to bring all the hiking clothes you have at home. You should bring:
- Convertible, water resistant hiking trousers that can be turned into shorts for the midday chilling time at the Amazon lodge or onward travel to the Galapagos. Something like this
- Long sleeve technical shirts with a collar or tshirts with SPF factor, like the ones you would wear to water activities, to protect from the sun, such as these ones. A lightweight one with a hoodie will be super useful for the sunrays that come sideways in the early morning and late afternoon, which is when you will go out in the Amazon (and in the Galapagos). I have one like this one.
- Leggings can also be great.
As mentioned, quick dry, moisture-wicking, light, natural materials are best, and clothing that provides coverage protects against bugs and sunrays.
A neck buff is also a good idea to further protect from insects and the sun.
Comfortable bottoms
For the rest of the time in Ecuador away from the Amazon, in Otavalo and Quito, comfortable trousers or skirts will be your best friend.
These can be jeans, leggings, long or three-quarter skirts, chinos, etc. anything that you are comfortable in. Temperatures won’t be too hot nor will they be too cold. Shorts will not be useful, since early mornings and evenings are cool.
I would avoid white or light colored bottoms because of the high risk of rain which may stain them.
Layered tops
Depending on how hot or cold you get, you may want to bring short sleeved tops for the midday warmth, or long sleeved tops if you run cooler.
I found that a long sleeve shirt or tshirt with a fleece and a plan B rain jacket was the ideal outfit for days in Quito and Otavalo.
A jacket or fleece
In Quito and Otavalo, temperatures drop a lot at night and in the early morning so you should pack a jacket and / or fleece, depending on how cold you get that will fit under your waterproof jacket.
Dressing in layers will also make it easier to adjust to the change in temperatures throughout the country and the day. When the sun shines, the feeling of heat is higher and when night comes you will feel colder.
Waterproof shoes and thick socks
Keeping your feet dry is a priority in the Amazon so the lodge will provide a pair of below the knee rubber boots to wear on all excursions. This means you do not have to bring your own hiking shoes / boots for the excursions.
However, you do need to bring shoes to be in the lodge and to get to / from the lodge and the airport.
This transfer is done by canoe; first a longer and sturdier motor canoe that takes 2 hours, and then a smaller manual canoe that covers the last 30min in the backwaters and smaller canals.
Rain could happen in these transfers, and indeed it did when I visited. Waterproof shoes are useful in this situation to keep your feet dry.
Since you will wear rubber boots provided by the lodge, high and thick socks are most recommended, ideally, they go over your trousers.
Elsewhere, like in Quito or Otavalo, bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes that are also waterproof and have grip so you don’t slip in the wet, uneven, cobblestoned streets that are hundreds of years old. The same pair of waterproof hiking shoes should cover all destinations and activities.
For evening meals at the hotel, you may want to bring a pair of comfortable light shoes, though you should still bear in mind the presence of mosquitoes in the Amazon, especially at dinner time.
A swimming suit
The hotel in Quito has a delightful spa and indoor pool and in the Amazon, the lodge has a natural fenced off pool in the river that is protected from piranhas and caymans by a net and makes for a refreshing bath.
Bring a swimming suit to take a dip. Both hotels provide towels.
A waterproof day pack
Most trips to Ecuador spend a fair amount of time on excursions and activities, and our trip is no exception.
In the Amazon, we will go out 2 or 3 times a day for excursions on foot or canoe and while in Quito or Otavalo, we will also participate in full-day activities outside.
A day pack should be big enough to fit your waterproof layers and your water bottle and ideally be waterproof. Here are two great options:
- Osprey’s small waterproof day pack that packs light and small into its own case
- This hardcore drypack that is also useful for any water sports you do in the Galapagos (kayaking, sailing, etc.) packs light for travel and floats.
Headlamp, binoculars
In the Amazon, there will be the opportunity to go out for night excursions to see wildlife that only comes out at night such as fireflies and caymans. A head lamp or flashlight will come in handy on those occasions and also to move around the lodge.
Binoculars are very useful to spot wildlife in the Amazon and the Galapagos. In the Galapagos, animals come up very close to you, sometimes you even have to take a step back to avoid them touching you, but in the Amazon, they are still scared of humans and may not get up and close.
A pair of binoculars is especially useful when spotting birds from the observation platform, or monkeys and sloths from the canoe. Guides always have their own you can borrow but with 4-6 guests per canoe, it’s better to have your own.
Other items you should pack for your Ecuador trip
 | Ziplock bags: Your clothes may get dirty and wet during the trip and they may not have time to dry. Your electronics could also get wet with sudden downpours. Bring ziplock bags of various sizes such as these ones to organize your dirty laundry and seal your electronics. |
 | Tripod: In the Amazon, there will be opportunities to set up your tripod in the observation platforms where we will look out for birds. If you have a telephoto lens camera and plan to take photos, a tripod will help take those long range images. |
 | A phone lanyard: A phone lanyard is super useful to travel with anywhere. You will have your hands free and your phone always handy for photos. I have this one. |
 | Universal plug adaptor: Plugs in Ecuador are type A and B, two-pronged flat ones like in the US. The best way to ensure you will be able to use any plug is by packing a universal adaptor. I like the ones which come with USB ports so that I can charge phones, cameras and everything else with just one adaptor. I love this one because it has USB ports for all the electronics I now carry. |
 | Power bank: A portable charger can be an essential on long days exploring. This Anker Portable Charger has a 20000mAh capacity, and fast-charging USB-C ports, you can power up your devices in a flash, while the LED display keeps you in the know about your battery level. It’s the perfect companion for a day out when you will be using your phone a lot to take photos and videos and will use up that battery a lot. |
 | Sunglasses: Sunglasses are essential for protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays and glare, especially at high altitudes. I have been wearing Oakley for more than 30 years and currently use these ones. |
 | Water purification bottle: Single use plastic bottles are terrible for the environment and banned in the Galapagos so I recommend you bring your own to create drinkable water from tap water. The lodge in the Amazon has water coolers where you can refill your bottle but elsewhere your only chance will be to buy bottled water. This need gets replaced when you have your own purification device. I brought my Grayl water purifier bottle to Ecuador and it was a game changer. |
 | Water bottle: I like to bring a water bottle in addition to the water purifier bottle because the latter is heavy and I don’t need to carry the purifier part of the bottle if I have access to drinking water. So I filter water with my Grayl and then fill my portable water bottle to take with me and leave the Grayl one at the hotel. |
 | Repellent: Repellent is a must in the Amazon and the Galapagos. I have been using the Repel brand for decades. You may also douse your clothes, including shoes and socks, with permethrin to make them repellent. |
 | Hats and caps: In the Amazon, a cap, a floppy or bucket hat are the best options to protect your head from the sun, the branches and anything falling from the trees. Elsewhere, a hat may be more useful. |
 | Portable fan: In the Amazon, where temperatures and humidity can be very high, a portable neck fan will feel glorious. We have many guests use this particular one on our summer trips in Europe and I wish I had one every time. |
 | Flip flops or sandals: Good for walking down to the pool, or using if you are also going to the Galapagos or the coast. I have used these fancier metallic black Havaianas for decades. |
 | A rain jacket or poncho: Rain is possible year round. Pack a light packable raincoat or a poncho and have it with you when out all day so you can stay dry. |
 | Wet wipes: Useful when it is humid and muggy and you sweat a lot, to freshen up. Make sure they are biodegradable like these Combat ones, waste management in the Amazon is difficult. |
 | Sunscreen: The sun burns at higher altitude even on cloudy days so sunscreen is a must. I like and use the Japanese brand Biore SPF 50++++ for my face because you can wear it under makeup and it is non-sticky and silky smooth. For the body, I highly recommend Aussie brand Sun Bum which is specifically designed for Australia’s super strong sun, is vegan, reef-safe and smells heavenly. They have a travel pack with sizes below 100ml that comes with a pretty pouch and includes sunscreen, lip balm (very important) and aftersun. |
 | Washing sheets: To hand wash your clothes on the go, bring space saving hand wash-friendly detergent sheets like these eco-friendly ones. |
 | Lip balm: Lip balm is essential in colder or high altitude weather to prevent dry and chapped lips. This Nivea one comes in a pack of 4 and has SPF, so your lips will never be dry again! |
 | Sleep mask: If you’re a light sleeper, and can’t handle any light coming in, the lodge in the Amazon does not have blackout curtains and the sun comes up very early. Guarantee your sanity and a good night’s sleep by bringing your own mask like this one to block the light. |
 | Pajamas: On our tours, we pair you up with a fellow solo female traveler that we think you’ll get along with – so don’t forget to pack your pajamas. Here’s a comfy choice from Amazon. |
 | Ear plugs: If you are a light sleeper, a pair of ear plugs can help you sleep better, especially in the Amazon where the calls of nature and the monkeys will wake you up before sunrise. Check these out on Amazon. |
 | Travel pillow: If you are flying overnight, you will need a proper neck pillow to sleep and arrive rested. Me and Meg both use the Turtle neck. |
 | First aid kit and medication: Available medications, brands and products in Ecuador are not the same as back home, and many basic items may require a prescription, so it’s always best to bring everything you are used to and of course, all prescription medication or vitamins you take. You should also think about packing a basic first aid kit with items such as painkillers, plasters and antiseptic ointment, motion sickness tablets, antihistamines, electrolyte powder in case of diarrhea (or hangovers form all the whisky), plus any other tummy ache related tablets or medicines your doctor may suggest (antacid, diarrhea tablets, etc.). Quito and Otavalo are located at high altitude, so you may want to consider discussing your needs and options with your doctor. Don’t forget blister bandages in case you get blisters in your hiking or rubber boots. See our First Aid Kit list here. If traveling in the spring, consider bringing anti allergy medication. Important: Make sure that any medication you take is allowed in Ecuador. |
 | A foldable toiletry bag: I always travel with a foldable toiletry bag which I can hang anywhere. They also help you keep everything easy to find and tidy. This one is very cute and functional! |
What not to pack for a trip to Ecuador
There are a few things that you should reconsider bringing along with you to Ecuador because you won’t need them and they would take up valuable space, or because they are not recommended.
- High heeled shoes: Unless you plan to wear them to dinner, this is a more casual type of trip where you are better off bringing a cute pair of flats.
- Hair dryers: All the hotels we stay at on our tour have them, reserve your suitcase the space for other more important things.
- Hiking boots: As mentioned, the Amazon lodge will provide rubber boots and you don’t really need bulky boots for anything else. A pair of waterproof hiking shoes is enough.