The best times to visit Cotopaxi for ideal weather are
December 17th to May 27th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Cotopaxi Travel Guide
Other Cotopaxi Travel Info
Weather in Cotopaxi
Temperature
Average temperatures in Cotopaxi vary barely at all. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 57th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Cotopaxi, the hottest months are November, December, and then March. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late November to early December where highs are regularly around 71.7°F (22.1°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 47.3°F (8.5°C) at night.
Cotopaxi Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Cotopaxi Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Cotopaxi Perceived Temperature (F)
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Cotopaxi Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Cotopaxi Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68.9 | 57.3 | 48.7 |
| Feb | 69.5 | 57.2 | 48.3 |
| Mar | 69 | 57.3 | 48.7 |
| Apr | 67.4 | 57 | 48.8 |
| May | 67 | 57 | 48.8 |
| Jun | 65.5 | 55.7 | 47.8 |
| Jul | 65.6 | 55.1 | 46.2 |
| Aug | 66.3 | 55.2 | 45.2 |
| Sep | 67.6 | 55.5 | 44.2 |
| Oct | 70.5 | 57.2 | 47 |
| Nov | 71.2 | 57.6 | 46.9 |
| Dec | 70.3 | 57.5 | 47.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20.5 | 14.1 | 9.3 |
| Feb | 20.8 | 14 | 9.1 |
| Mar | 20.6 | 14.1 | 9.3 |
| Apr | 19.7 | 13.9 | 9.3 |
| May | 19.4 | 13.9 | 9.3 |
| Jun | 18.6 | 13.2 | 8.8 |
| Jul | 18.7 | 12.8 | 7.9 |
| Aug | 19.1 | 12.9 | 7.3 |
| Sep | 19.8 | 13.1 | 6.8 |
| Oct | 21.4 | 14 | 8.3 |
| Nov | 21.8 | 14.2 | 8.3 |
| Dec | 21.3 | 14.2 | 8.7 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Cotopaxi are August, July, and then September. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid August. For example, on the week of August 13th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early April with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of April 2nd.
When can you find snow in Cotopaxi? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Cotopaxi.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Cotopaxi (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16% | 0 | 2.4 |
| Feb | 19% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Mar | 14% | 0 | 1.9 |
| Apr | 24% | 0 | 2.3 |
| May | 9% | 0 | 0.9 |
| Jun | 5% | 0 | 0.5 |
| Jul | 4% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Aug | 3% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Sep | 5% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Oct | 17% | 0 | 1.7 |
| Nov | 17% | 0 | 1.6 |
| Dec | 13% | 0 | 1.7 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 | 0 | 6.1 |
| Feb | 19 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Mar | 14 | 0 | 4.8 |
| Apr | 24 | 0 | 5.8 |
| May | 9 | 0 | 2.3 |
| Jun | 5 | 0 | 1.3 |
| Jul | 4 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Aug | 3 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Sep | 5 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Oct | 17 | 0 | 4.3 |
| Nov | 17 | 0 | 4.1 |
| Dec | 13 | 0 | 4.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Cotopaxi has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is September (62.8% relative humidity), and the most humid month is April (71.2%).
Wind in Cotopaxi is usually moderate. The windiest month is July, followed by August and September. July’s average wind speed of around 9.8 knots (11.2 MPH or 18.1 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late September where average top sustained speeds reach 18.9 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Cotopaxi.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 7.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.9 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 6.8 | Light breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 6.7 | Light breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 6 | Light breeze | 13.6 | Significant breeze |
| May | 7.1 | Gentle breeze | 14.9 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 9.1 | Gentle breeze | 17 | Strong breeze |
| Jul | 9.8 | Gentle breeze | 17.8 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 9.4 | Gentle breeze | 17.8 | Strong breeze |
| Sep | 9.2 | Gentle breeze | 18 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 6.8 | Light breeze | 15.2 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 5.9 | Light breeze | 14.1 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 7.5 | Gentle breeze | 15.8 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 69.9% |
| Feb | 69.2% |
| Mar | 69.4% |
| Apr | 71.2% |
| May | 70.4% |
| Jun | 70.2% |
| Jul | 67.4% |
| Aug | 63.1% |
| Sep | 62.8% |
| Oct | 65.4% |
| Nov | 66.5% |
| Dec | 67.4% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Cotopaxi?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for Ecuador; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 20, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Cotopaxi, Ecuador is January, followed by March and May. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Cotopaxi in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Cotopaxi Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 69.6°F (20.9°C) and 65.2°F (18.4°C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 3 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the slowest season for tourism in Cotopaxi, so lodging and other accommodations may cost less than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 71.7°F (22.1°C) and 66.1°F (18.9°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 5 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is somewhat cool this time of year in Cotopaxi to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 71.3°F (21.8°C) and 68.4°F (20.2°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 5 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Ecuador › Cotopaxi, Ecuador