THE #1 QUESTION
When is the Best Time to Ride/Tour/Visit Ecuador
ANSWER is ANYTIME! With Ecuadors Mega Diversity we always have a good place to ride. Located right on the Equator we have 12 hours of daylight per day every day of the year. The biggest climate change during the year comes from the Humboldt Current that comes up from the Antartic and is off the coast during certain times of the year creating a seasonal change. In the Andes if it's to hot then ride up the mountain and if it's to cold ride down the mountain, it's that simple. Our headquarters located in the Tumbaco Valley at an elevation of 7,500 feet has a morning temperature of 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit and the afternoon high is about 80-85 degrees EVERY DAY of the year. Riding through the valleys along the creeks and rivers at 6,500-8,500 feet the temperature is about as good as it can get for riding a motorcycle. When we go farther up the mountains 8500-10,000 feet it starts to cool off, the trails get rougher so you are working a bit harder and the temperature is still just right! At elevations above 10,000 feet on a trip to the snowline of one of the Volcanoes here it can get cold. 40-45 degrees but most of the time it is 50-55 degrees. I ride with a t-shirt, a jersey, and a Enduro Jacket. You can take off the jacket or put it on all vents open, only buttoned in the middle (my normal) and then if needed start closing vents and buttoning/zipping up. For pants I typically use regular MX pant with a pair of EVS padded riding shorts on underneath. Rain in the Andes riding areas can normally be classified as "Afternoon Traction Showers". Mid January through Early May we get almost daily traction showers. From June through August we get almost no Traction Showers and then from September through December the Traction Showers are about every 2-3 days. Additionally the much of the soil here is of a volcanic nature and like sand it dries out quickly and is best after a little rain. The Southern Andes is pretty much the same with the exception that the soil is not as volcanic but they get less rain and in fact south of Cuenca it gets quite dry.
Coastal Region> The Coast is always a lot of fun but it is not always a lot of fun on the trails. They have MUD during certain times of the year. The Northern Coast for groups wanting to do serious trail riding is best avoided from Mid January through Mid May. The Central Coast is a bit better as it receives less rain and we can do off-Road tours there except from February through Mid April. Right on the Coast is not bad the problem is the Coastal mountains. So if you are more interested in doing some riding and riding up the coast using main and secondary road just having a good time we can do that any time of the year. From June through September the Humboldt Current is passing by the coast and the climate cools off making it surprisingly cool. This is the best time to do Coast Tours with September through December being good also.
Amazon Region> On our riding here we do not ride deep into the Jungle. The farther you go in the more problems you have & create. Insects & Indians primarily! Our normal riding is done in the foothills of the Andes or the "Upper Amazon Basin" where we do not have those problems. We are still at an elevation of 3,000-1,500 feet so the Climate here is very pleasant and the Plant & Animal life is most definitely Jungle. Mostly we ride on gravel roads that are passable at all times with our motorcycles and 4X4 truck. It can rain here at any time with the rainiest time being July-August. Waterproof Enduro Jacket is essential and spare gloves/goggles are highly recommended. Temperature is about 65 in the mornings and 85-90 in the afternoons so being caught in a shower isn't bad and sometimes quite welcome.
| REGIONS | Mid January-Mid May | Mid May-August | September-Mid January |
| Northern Andes | Avg. 3-4" month mostly light afternoon showers | Very little rain. June, July PRIMETIME! | Avg. 1-2" month afternoon showers |
| Southern Andes | Avg. 2-3" month, mostly light afternoon showers | Very little rain. June, July PRIMETIME! | Avg. 1-2" month, afternoon showers |
| Central Coast | Jan & April OK, Feb-March rainy but Beach Bunny time! | Little rain good riding. | Little rain good riding |
| Northern Coast | Muddy Trails Good Beach Party's | Great time to ride | Good time to ride |
| Amazon Region | Good time 4 D Jungle! | Rainiest July & August | Beware of Jungle Bunnies! |