Ecuador Quito Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Quito is moderate
Quito Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 20° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 115mm · 16 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Quito in May averages a high of 20°C and low of 9°C with 115mm of rain over about 16 days. Around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing and a rain jacket as the wet season eases. Strong sunscreen and a hat remain essential for the equatorial sun.
May is moderate for Quito.
May is a transition month — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F) as the wet season begins to taper (about 115mm, easing later in the month). Mornings are reliably brighter, and the afternoon rain becomes a bit less relentless than March-April.
There's no single dominant festival, which keeps the city relaxed and prices moderate. It's a quietly good time to visit, with the dry season approaching and the landscape still green from the rains.
Travel score
Quito May Weather Stats
Avg High
20°C
Avg Low
9°C
Rainy Days
16
115mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 19
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
16 μg/m³
PM10
29 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 19 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wet season tapering off
- Brighter, longer-lasting mornings
- Quieter and good value
- Green landscapes after the rains
Cons
- Still some afternoon showers
- Cool nights
- Extreme altitude UV
- Variable mountain visibility
May Events & Festivals
- Wet season starting to taper toward month's end
- Bright mornings, easing afternoon showers
- Quieter, value-friendly travel window
- Near-12-hour days year-round
Quito in May — Full Picture
May is a transition month — around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F) as the wet season begins to taper (about 115mm, easing later in the month). Mornings are reliably brighter, and the afternoon rain becomes a bit less relentless than March-April.
There's no single dominant festival, which keeps the city relaxed and prices moderate. It's a quietly good time to visit, with the dry season approaching and the landscape still green from the rains.
As always, layer for the cool nights and warm days, and aim outdoor sightseeing and day trips at the morning. The mountain views start to open up more often as the cloud thins late in the month.
Note: still carry a rain jacket — the showers haven't fully stopped — but May edges toward the better-weather half of the year. A solid, lower-key choice with the altitude sun still demanding daily sunscreen.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing and a rain jacket as the wet season eases. Strong sunscreen and a hat remain essential for the equatorial sun.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current20°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)
20°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 May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Quito?
Quito in May is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Quito in May?
Quito May averages a high of 20°C and a low of 9°C.
Does it rain much in Quito in May?
Quito May averages 115mm of rainfall over about 16 rainy days.
What should I wear in Quito in May?
Around 20°C/9°C (68°F/48°F). Layers for the day-night swing and a rain jacket as the wet season eases. Strong sunscreen and a hat remain essential for the equatorial sun.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Quito in May?
Quito May sunrise is 06:10 and sunset is 18:15, with 12h 05min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Quito in May?
Quito May air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Quito in May?
In May, Quito is great for Historic Center & San Francisco square, TelefériQo on clearer mornings, Mitad del Mundo equator visit.
Is May peak season in Quito?
Quito May 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 May 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.