Things to do in Puerto Ayora in January

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Overview

January is a great time to visit Puerto Ayora. The weather is usually pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 76—79°F (24—26°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Puerto Ayora during this time. Some of our top recommendations: go on a kayaking adventure around the Galapagos Islands, visit the Galapagos National Park, take a day trip to Tortuga Bay, and more!

Puerto Ayora has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your January trip to Puerto Ayora. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to January. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Puerto Ayora in January. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout January, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Puerto Ayora in January

Top experiences in January
Go on a kayaking adventure around the Galapagos Islands
January is a great time to go kayaking around the Galapagos Islands as the weather is mild and the water is calm, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the unique coastline and marine ecosystems of the islands. You'll have the opportunity to see a variety of marine life, including sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.
Visit the Galapagos National Park
In January, the Galapagos National Park is a must-visit as it is the peak of the nesting season for many bird species, including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and albatrosses. You'll have the opportunity to see these incredible birds up close and witness their unique mating and nesting behaviors. It's a truly unique and unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss.
Take a day trip to Tortuga Bay
In January, Tortuga Bay is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun. The calm, turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and the white sandy beaches are perfect for sunbathing and picnicking. It's a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Puerto Ayora and enjoy the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands.
Visit the Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay
In January, the Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay is a must-visit as it is the peak of the nesting season for sea turtles. You'll have the opportunity to see these incredible creatures coming ashore to lay their eggs, as well as witness the hatching of baby sea turtles. It's a truly unique and unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss.
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Visit the El Chato Tortoise Reserve
In January, the El Chato Tortoise Reserve is a must-visit as it is the peak of the giant tortoise mating season. You'll have the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat and witness their fascinating courtship rituals. It's a truly unique and unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss.
Go snorkeling at Las Grietas
January is a great time to go snorkeling at Las Grietas as the water is warm and clear, making it the perfect opportunity to see a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional shark. The unique rock formations and crystal-clear water make for an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Go on a hiking adventure in the highlands of Santa Cruz
January is a great time to go hiking in the highlands of Santa Cruz as the weather is mild and the landscape is lush and green. You'll have the opportunity to explore the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and see the giant tortoises hatching
In January, the Charles Darwin Research Station is a must-visit as it is the peak of the giant tortoise hatching season. Witnessing these incredible creatures coming into the world is a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
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Holidays in Puerto Ayora in January
January
  • New Year's Day (January 1)
Other notable holidays
  • Foundation of Quito (December 6)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • New Year's Eve (December 31)
  • Carnival (March 34)
  • Maundy Thursday (April 17)
  • Good Friday (April 18)
  • Holy Saturday (April 19)
  • Easter Sunday (April 20)
  • Labor Day / May Day (May 12)
  • The Battle of Pichincha (May 2324)
  • Simón Bolívar's Birthday Memorial (July 24)
  • Independence Day (August 1011)
  • Independence of Guayaquil (October 910)
  • All Souls' Day (November 2)
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Weather in Puerto Ayora in January

Temperatures on an average day in Puerto Ayora in January

The average temperature in Puerto Ayora in January for a typical day ranges from a high of 79°F (26°C) to a low of 76°F (24°C). Some would describe it as pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Puerto Ayora, March, has days with highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 79°F (26°C). The coldest month, September has days with highs of 73°F (23°C) and lows of 69°F (21°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Puerto Ayora in January based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in January
79°F
highs
76°F
lows

General weather summary

Pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze
Feels like
7%
Chance of rain
0.077 in
Amount
10.4 mph
Wind speed
82%
Humidity
12.2 hrs
Daylight length
6:05 AM
Sunrise
6:14 PM
Sunset
46%
Cloud cover
Sleeveless shirt
What to wear
What to wear in January
With an average high of 79°F (26°C) and a low of 76°F (24°C), it generally feels pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze. With that in mind, most people would dress in something very light like a sleeveless shirt
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Best attractions for Puerto Ayora in January

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Puerto Ayora has to offer for travelers in January, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Puerto Ayora that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Puerto Ayora for January.
Charles Darwin Research Station
1. Charles Darwin Research Station
4.5
(685)
Research institute
Nature & Parks
Research facility housing an extensive collection of preserved specimens of Galápagos plant life.
Las Grietas
2. Las Grietas
4.7
(1153)
Swimming basin
Nature & Parks
El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve
3. El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve
4.6
(145)
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
Fishing piers
4. Fishing piers
4.5
(743)
Fishing pier
Sights & Landmarks
Playa El Garrapatero
5. Playa El Garrapatero
4.7
(428)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
This remote beach is surrounded by trees & features a large sandy area for swimming & sunbathing.
Laguna las Ninfas
6. Laguna las Ninfas
4.6
(68)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Playa los alemanes
7. Playa los alemanes
4.6
(154)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Scenic cove beach featuring calm waters for swimming & snorkeling, sunbathing & a boardwalk.
Playa de la Estacion
8. Playa de la Estacion
4.5
(90)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
This small, popular beach features sand & rocks, mangrove bushes, snorkeling, surfing & more.
Samay Latin Art
9. Samay Latin Art
4.4
(61)
Art gallery
Museums
Malecon
10. Malecon
Sights & Landmarks
Piers & Boardwalks
Tortuga Bay Beach
11. Tortuga Bay Beach
4.9
(1275)
Outdoor Activities
Beaches
Shoreline of dunes, salt flats & mangroves, home to species including iguanas & flamingos.
Galería Exótico Ecuador - Fair Trade
12. Galería Exótico Ecuador - Fair Trade
4.8
(14)
Art gallery
Museums
Daphne Major
13. Daphne Major
4.0
(27)
Island
Nature & Parks
Volcanic tuff crater in the Galápagos Islands where a multi-decade study of finches was conducted.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Puerto Ayora?

Get inspired for your trip to Puerto Ayora with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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