Galapagos Islands & Quito in November

I went to Quito in May. Because it is on the equator, they do not have swings in temperature like the upper 48 - it is 12 hours daylight and 12 hours dark every single day, 365 days a year. So the seasons are noted as "wet" (when I went in May) and "dry" (not quite as wet as wet season). Here's some info on average weather in Quito in November https://weatherspark.com/m/20030/11/Average-Weather-in-November-in-Quito-Ecuador Based on this information it will probably be cool, overcast, and damp. Quito is high elevation and that takes some getting used to - drink plenty of water and take it easy. Even though it is often overcast, bring plenty of sunscreen - the worst burns are through filtered clouds (and the elevation makes it even worse).

This is the same weather info for Galapagos https://weatherspark.com/m/11615/11/Average-Weather-in-November-in-Puerto-Ayora-Ecuador You might contact your tour company to see if they can offer advice about what to expect on the ship and what to pack.

I did this trip in the Nov/Dec time frame. I carried a single carry on bag. I also visited the Amazon basin and hiked over the Andes, so had to deal with a wider temperature range and activities. Here’s my suggestions:

Both places are on the equator. Quito will be chilly at night and warmer in the day. It has large temperature swings because it is dry and in the mountains. I found my Patagonia nano-puff jacket to be great for evenings and early mornings. A light sweater is enough for later in the day, and some days were quite hot with T-shirt weather. I also brought my REI Kyoto rain jacket. It’s light and packable. You probably won’t need long johns unless camping, though I always bring my silk 3/4 sleeve long john top.

The Galapagos were warm, hot even. They were cooler on rainy days (you might want a sweater). The water was cool for snorkeling. I wore a long sleeve rash guard with swim tights to block the sun. I rented a shorty wet suit for the week. Our cruise guide took us to a dive shop prior to the cruise to get outfitted. The rash guard/tights worked very well and I didn’t have to worry about sun screen. Next time I might add a silk balaclava for my head. I did use sun screen on our hikes on the islands.

On rash guards - I bought 2 cute tops from Lands End. I bought the swim tights from Swim Outlet. I bought black ones and used them as leggings too. I brought an extra bra to wear under my rash guards. I use the title nine Cuz She Says So work to workout bra.

You will also need a sun hat, water shoes for wet landings (I used the Merrill siren wrap), and a pair of light hiking shoes. I did bring a pair of folding ballet flats for dress up but only used them twice.

My other go-to piece of clothing was my Athleta Whatever skort (knee length). You can still get them on eBay. I went hiking, to dinner, walking. I got wet and it dried right away. It’s an amazing garment. I used it instead of shorts.

So for me:
4 tops
2 cute travel pants
1 skort
1 sweater
1 T-shirt dress for sleeping and going out
Puff jacket (or fleece)
Packable rain coat
3 work to workout bras
5 undies
4 pairs of wool socks (we hiked a lot)
Big light scarf

2 cute rash guard tops
1 swim tights

Hiking shoes
Hiking sandals
Fold up ballet flats
Sun hat
Packable day pack
Sun glasses
Croakies
Binoculars
Camera (In a waterproof case)

I washed stuff out in the sink. The cruise also offered laundry.

Disclosure: LAN has a 7kg weight limit and I was carrying a lot of mountaineering stuff I don’t normally carry. I used my packable day pack as a personal item. I loaded the heavy items (toiletries, clothes) into the daypack to make the 7kg limit. LAN doesn’t weight the personal item but they will definitely weigh the carry on. All other times everything was in my carry on bag. This made it very easy for water taxies, buses etc. others had large suitcases and struggled.

I used the MEI Voyageur. It’s awesome for adventure travel.
Feel free to message me if you need more info

Cindy,
Thanks so much for the reply. I'm going to order a swim top and tights! Also appreciate the details you provided and suggestions for packing list! :)

@janeullmann - please have some Ecuador hot chocolate for me when in Quito. It will spoil you for life.

I will keep that in mind Cindy :)