When to go to Cuenca
Discover the best time of year to visit the southern Andean City of Cuenca in Ecuador.
December - February
Cuenca enjoys pleasant spring-like temperatures averaging 21°C in these months although at this altitude the nights are always chilly. Despite being the wet season, some sunshine in the mornings and early afternoons can still be expected, but with cloudy afternoons and rains commonplace, particularly in December and from mid-February. Carnival celebrations are great fun in Cuenca, with colourful parades, traditional music and dance and, of course, the ubiquitous throwing of flour and water.
19°C Average max daytime temperature
3°C Average min nighttime temperature
18 days per season rainfall
None humidity
March - May
Year round spring-like temperatures continue in Cuenca, with average highs of 20°C and colder nights of around 10°C. It is the wet season so rain is to be expected, particularly in March and April (the wettest months of, year). The rains tend to present as afternoon downpours and even though overcast conditions are common, you can still get some sunny mornings or even days. Traditional Easter celebrations in Cuenca are impressive and gain momentum on Maundy Thursday with a religious procession crams the streets as it visits the 7 churches.
19°C Average max daytime temperature
4°C Average min nighttime temperature
18 days per season rainfall
None humidity
June - August
The dry season in Cuenca begins in Jun and these are the sunniest and driest months of the year so arguably the best time to explore the colonial city’s cobbled streets and flower filled squares. Average highs are a pleasant spring-like 19°C and blue skies and sunshine dominates. As always the nights are a chillier 10°C due to the city’s altitude. Initi Raymi (between 18-24June) is celebrated enthusiastically by the indigenous inhabitants in the city as well as at the nearby Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
19°C Average max daytime temperature
3°C Average min nighttime temperature
11 days per season rainfall
None humidity
September - November
September is the last month of Cuenca’s dry season so there’s still plenty of fine weather even if there’s a little more rain than in the preceding months. With the year round spring-like climate giving average highs of 20°C (and night time lows of 9°C) it is still a great time to visit. The wet season rains start in October and increase in November so you should expect fewer sunshine hours and more frequent afternoon rains, but it’s generally still a very enjoyable time to visit the city and its nearby Inca ruins and artisan villages.
20°C Average max daytime temperature
2°C Average min nighttime temperature
15 days per season rainfall
None humidity
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