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French Guiana

Kourou weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Kourou at a glance

Best time
Jul – Nov
Warmest month
Sep · 31°
Warmest sea
Jul · 28.4°
Sunshine a year
2,280 h
Rain a year
2,559 mm
Climate
Tropical
Time zone
UTC−3
Elevation
7 m

Climate in Kourou

Kourou has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. September is the warmest month with average highs of 31 °C, while January is the coolest at 28 °C. With around 2,280 hours of sunshine a year, Kourou is sunny; September is the sunniest month with 8.2 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Kourou

The best time to visit Kourou is from July to November. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go in September. The rainy season is from April to June and in December; the wettest month is May with 446 mm.

Kourou through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Kourou in the dry season

Jan – Mar, Jul – Nov

75

Good

  • 28–31 °C by day
  • Sea 28 °C
  • 6.7 h of sun a day
  • 162 rainy days in all

Kourou in the rainy season

Apr – Jun, Dec

68

Good

  • 29 °C by day
  • Sea 28 °C
  • 5.3 h of sun a day
  • 111 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Sep

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

No month

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Apr – Jun, Dec

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Kourou for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: January, March, September

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

82

Holiday weather in October

Excellent

Best time to visit: July – November

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 27°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 31°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 31°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 28°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 26°

06:1618:17

Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 06:03–06:44 · evening 17:49–18:29
Blue hour
Morning 05:55–06:03 · evening 18:29–18:38

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Kourou compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs stay at about 31° from start to end.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high31°31°
Night-time low24°24°
Sea28°28°
Daylight12.1 h11.9 h

What is the weather like in Kourou in October?

In October, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 56 mm in total. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Kourou.

More details for October

Daylight
12 h 1 min06:16 – 18:17
UV index
13 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
31 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
18 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
51 %on averageAll months
Hot days
28 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC−3offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %97 %
  • Seaweight 25 %100 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %78 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %37 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • Light, breathable clothes
  • Water bottle – drink plenty
  • Insect repellent
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Kourou

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

September has the better holiday weather in Kourou: score 87 against 82. Daytime highs are about the same. The sea is about as warm in both months. September has 3 fewer rainy days.

October vs September, Kourou
MonthOctoberSeptember
Holiday weather score8287better
Daytime high31°31°
Night-time low24°24°
Sea28.3°28.2°
Sunshine7.7 h8.2 hbetter
Rainy days1310better
Rainfall56 mm43 mmbetter
Muggy days3130better

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Kourou month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

68January28° · Sea 27° · 5.4 h

In January, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 27 days, adding up to 261 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in January
68February28° · Sea 27° · 5.3 h

In February, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 23 days, adding up to 236 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in February
70March29° · Sea 27° · 6.0 h

In March, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 24 days, adding up to 178 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in March
69April29° · Sea 28° · 5.6 h

In April, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 26 days, totalling 268 mm. On about 7 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in April
66May29° · Sea 28° · 4.7 h

In May, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 29 days, totalling 446 mm. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in May
68June29° · Sea 28° · 5.3 h

In June, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 29 days, totalling 359 mm. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in June
72July30° · Sea 28° · 6.6 h

In July, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. It rains often – on about 27 days, adding up to 214 mm. On about 17 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in July
77August31° · Sea 28° · 7.6 h

In August, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 95 mm. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in August
87September31° · Sea 28° · 8.2 h

In September, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 43 mm in total. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in September
82October31° · Sea 28° · 7.7 h

In October, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 56 mm in total. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in October
73November30° · Sea 28° · 6.8 h

In November, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 21 days, adding up to 135 mm. On about 16 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in November
68December29° · Sea 28° · 5.5 h

In December, Kourou is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 27 days, totalling 268 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Kourou.

Kourou in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Kourou

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Warm 20–24°
  • Hot 24° and more
  • muggy month (15+ muggy days)

HotOctober: nights around 24°. Hot nights: air conditioning makes sleeping much easier. Muggy on about 31 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in June (23°), the warmest in March (24°). Nights stay tropical all year (20 °C and more), so a room with air conditioning or at least a fan pays off. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) all year, on about 365 days a year.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 31°Night 24°Sea 28°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan6828°24°27.0°5.4 h27261
FebruaryFeb6828°24°27.0°5.3 h23236
MarchMar7029°24°27.2°6.0 h24178
AprilApr6929°24°27.5°5.6 h26268
MayMay6629°24°27.7°4.7 h29446
JuneJun6829°23°28.1°5.3 h29359
JulyJul7230°23°28.4°6.6 h27214
AugustAug7731°24°28.3°7.6 h1795
SeptemberSep8731°24°28.2°8.2 h1043
OctoberOct8231°24°28.3°7.7 h1356
NovemberNov7330°24°28.0°6.8 h21135
DecemberDec6829°24°27.5°5.5 h27268

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

5.16° N, 52.64° W · 7 m · America/Cayenne

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Kourou

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October28.3°Cwarm

8 in 10 years: 27.7 – 29.0 °C

Swimming season: all year

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 28.3°8 in 10 years 27.7° – 29.0°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Kourou ranges from 27.0 °C in January to 28.4 °C in July. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

The sea temperature varies from year to year: in July, eight out of ten years were between 27.9 and 29.0 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan27.0°26.5°27.5°warm
FebruaryFeb27.0°26.6°27.5°warm
MarchMar27.2°26.6°27.7°warm
AprilApr27.5°27.0°28.0°warm
MayMay27.7°27.2°28.4°warm
JuneJun28.1°27.6°28.7°warm
JulyJul28.4°27.9°29.0°warm
AugustAug28.3°27.7°28.9°warm
SeptemberSep28.2°27.7°28.7°warm
OctoberOct28.3°27.7°29.0°warm
NovemberNov28.0°27.5°28.6°warm
DecemberDec27.5°26.7°28.1°warm
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Kourou

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,280 hours
Sunniest month
Sep · 8.2 h a day
Least sunshine
May · 4.7 h a day
OctoberSunshine 7.7 hDaylight 12.0 hShare of daylight 64 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 7.7 of 12.0 hours of daylight in Kourou, 64 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Kourou: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,559 mm on 273 days
Wettest month
May · 446 mm
Driest month
Sep · 43 mm
OctoberRainy days 13Rainfall 56 mm

In October, Kourou has about 13 rainy days with 56 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Kourou

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
13 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in September (UV 14).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 10 min
Fair skin
about 15 min
Light brown skin
about 20 min
Olive skin
about 25 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Kourou

How breezy and how cloudy Kourou is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
19 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Feb · 22 km/h
Calmest month
Jul · 15 km/h
OctoberWind 18 km/hBeaufort 3
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Kourou typically peaks at 18 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Jan – Apr.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
66 % · mostly cloudy
Clearest month
Sep · 41 %
Cloudiest month
May · 83 %
OctoberCloud cover 51 %Sunshine 7.7 h

In October, cloud covers on average 51 % of the sky over Kourou: variable cloud, with about 7.7 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Kourou

How often the day gets hot in Kourou (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
145 days
Hottest month
Sep · 31 °C
Hot months
Jul – Nov

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 28Daytime high 31 °C

In October, Kourou has about 28 hot days, with an average daytime high of 31 °C: hot and muggy. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening, drink a lot and take breaks in the cool.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Kourou

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Kourou in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Kourou has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 82) and its weakest during May half-term (score 66).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    69

    Good

    • 29 °C by day
    • Sea 27 °C
    • 5.7 h of sun a day
    • 25 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    66

    Good

    • 29 °C by day
    • Sea 28 °C
    • 4.8 h of sun a day
    • 29 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    75

    Good

    • 31 °C by day
    • Sea 28 °C
    • 7.2 h of sun a day
    • 20 rainy days a month
  • October half-term

    Oct

    82

    ExcellentBest holidays

    • 31 °C by day
    • Sea 28 °C
    • 7.7 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month
  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    68

    Good

    • 28 °C by day
    • Sea 27 °C
    • 5.5 h of sun a day
    • 27 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 9 h
Distance
7,030 km
Time zone
UTC−3
Jet lag
About 3 days (4 h west)

Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Kourou compared

Put Kourou side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Kourou vs Cayenne

In October Kourou has the better holiday weather (score 82 vs 77). During the day Cayenne is 2 °C warmer than Kourou. The sea is about equally warm.

Kourou vs Cayenne, in October
in OctoberKourouCayenne
Holiday weather score8277
Daytime high31°33°
Sea28°28°
Sunshine8 h8 h
Rainy days1311
Best timeJul – NovSep – Oct, Dec – Mar

Through the year

OctoberKourou 31°Cayenne 33°
KourouCayenne
Go to Cayenne
Ranking

French Guiana in October: the best places

In October, Kourou ranks 1 of 3 destinations in this country.

  1. KourouThis page31°28°82
  2. 2Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni33°28°65
  3. 3Cayenne33°28°45
All destinations: French Guiana

Near Kourou

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Kourou

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Kourou's – good alternatives.

  1. 76 % similar39ParamariboSuriname32°28°Best time: Jan – Mar, Sep
  2. 74 % similar65Saint-Laurent-du-MaroniFrench Guiana33°28°Best time: all year
  3. 69 % similar37GeorgetownGuyana32°29°Best time: Apr, Jul – Aug, Dec – Feb
  4. 62 % similar42Pago PagoAmerican Samoa30°28°Best time: Jul – Aug

Frequently asked questions about Kourou

When is the best time to visit Kourou?

The best time to visit Kourou is from July to November. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Kourou?

The sea temperature in Kourou ranges from 27.0 °C in January to 28.4 °C in July. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

Can you swim in Kourou in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Kourou?

September is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C and nights around 24 °C. January is the coolest month at 28 °C.

When does it rain most in Kourou?

The rainy season is from April to June and in December; the wettest month is May with 446 mm. The driest month is September with 43 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Kourou get?

Kourou gets around 2,280 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is September with 8.2 hours a day; in May there are 4.7 hours a day.

What time zone is Kourou in?

Kourou is on UTC−3 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Kourou?

A nonstop flight from London to Kourou takes about 9 h, for a straight-line distance of about 7,030 km.

Which school holidays are best for Kourou?

Kourou has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 82) and its weakest during May half-term (score 66). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 69, May half-term 66, summer holidays 75, October half-term 82, Christmas holidays 68.