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Machala weather & best time to visit

City break

Machala at a glance

Best time
Jul – Sep
Warmest month
Mar · 29°
Warmest sea
Mar · 27.1°
Sunshine a year
2,160 h
Rain a year
1,608 mm
Climate
Tropical
Time zone
UTC−5
Elevation
16 m

Climate in Machala

Machala has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. March is the warmest month with average highs of 29 °C, while August is the coolest at 26 °C. With around 2,160 hours of sunshine a year, Machala is moderately sunny; August is the sunniest month with 6.6 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Machala

The best time to visit Machala is from July to September. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from July to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from July to September. The rainy season is from January to April; the wettest month is March with 339 mm.

Machala through the seasons

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

Machala in the dry season

May – Dec

67

Good

  • 26–28 °C by day
  • Sea 24 °C
  • 6.2 h of sun a day
  • 127 rainy days in all

Machala in the rainy season

Jan – Apr

46

Fair

  • 28–29 °C by day
  • Sea 27 °C
  • 5.3 h of sun a day
  • 97 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Jul – Sep

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Jul – Sep

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Jan – Apr

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

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

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: July – 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

62

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: July – September

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 22°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 26°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 25°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 23°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 21°

06:0018:11

Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.

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

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 05:47–06:28 · evening 17:43–18:24
Blue hour
Morning 05:39–05:47 · evening 18:24–18:32

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 Machala compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs stay at about 26° from start to end.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high26°26°
Night-time low19°20°
Sea24°24°
Daylight12.1 h12.2 h

What is the weather like in Machala in October?

In October, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 57 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Machala.

More details for October

Daylight
12 h 11 min06:00 – 18:11
UV index
14 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
31 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
14 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
88 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC−5offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %50 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 30 %7 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • Light, breathable clothes
  • Insect repellent
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Machala

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 Machala: score 81 against 62. Daytime highs are about the same. The sea is 1 °C cooler in September. September has 8 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in September.

October vs September, Machala
MonthOctoberSeptember
Holiday weather score6281better
Daytime high26°26°
Night-time low20°19°
Sea23.9°23.4°
Sunshine6.0 h6.6 hbetter
Rainy days179better
Rainfall57 mm36 mmbetter
Muggy days3130better

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Machala month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

51January28° · Sea 26° · 5.5 h

In January, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 25 days, totalling 197 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in January
46February29° · Sea 27° · 5.1 h

In February, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 24 days, totalling 283 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in February
42March29° · Sea 27° · 4.8 h

In March, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 25 days, totalling 339 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in March
45April29° · Sea 27° · 5.7 h

In April, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.8 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 23 days, totalling 216 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in April
51May28° · Sea 26° · 5.9 h

In May, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 23 days, adding up to 147 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in May
62June27° · Sea 25° · 6.1 h

In June, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 72 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in June
75July26° · Sea 24° · 6.4 h

In July, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 24.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 41 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in July
80August26° · Sea 24° · 6.6 h

In August, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 29 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in August
81September26° · Sea 23° · 6.6 h

In September, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 36 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in September
62October26° · Sea 24° · 6.0 h

In October, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 57 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in October
62November26° · Sea 24° · 6.1 h

In November, Machala is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 71 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in November
59December27° · Sea 25° · 6.1 h

In December, Machala is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 25.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 21 days, adding up to 119 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Machala.

Machala in December

Climate in detail

Year & climate table

Climate through the year

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

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Machala

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

  • Pleasant 15–20°
  • Warm 20–24°
  • muggy month (15+ muggy days)

WarmOctober: nights around 20°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 31 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in August (19°), the warmest in March (23°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from October to June; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to September. 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 26°Night 20°Sea 24°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan5128°22°26.2°5.5 h25197
FebruaryFeb4629°23°27.0°5.1 h24283
MarchMar4229°23°27.1°4.8 h25339
AprilApr4529°23°26.8°5.7 h23216
MayMay5128°22°26.3°5.9 h23147
JuneJun6227°20°24.8°6.1 h1772
JulyJul7526°19°24.1°6.4 h1241
AugustAug8026°19°23.5°6.6 h1029
SeptemberSep8126°19°23.4°6.6 h936
OctoberOct6226°20°23.9°6.0 h1757
NovemberNov6226°20°24.1°6.1 h1771
DecemberDec5927°21°25.1°6.1 h21119

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

3.26° S, 79.96° W · 16 m · America/Guayaquil

Sea temperature
Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Machala

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

Sea in October23.9°Cpleasant

8 in 10 years: 22.6 – 25.0 °C

Swimming season: all year

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 23.9°8 in 10 years 22.6° – 25.0°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Machala ranges from 23.4 °C in September to 27.1 °C in March. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

The sea temperature varies from year to year: in March, eight out of ten years were between 25.7 and 28.2 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan26.2°25.0°27.6°warm
FebruaryFeb27.0°25.9°28.4°warm
MarchMar27.1°25.7°28.2°warm
AprilApr26.8°24.8°28.1°warm
MayMay26.3°24.8°27.6°warm
JuneJun24.8°22.1°26.7°pleasant
JulyJul24.1°21.4°26.2°pleasant
AugustAug23.5°21.9°24.8°pleasant
SeptemberSep23.4°21.5°25.1°pleasant
OctoberOct23.9°22.6°25.0°pleasant
NovemberNov24.1°22.6°25.3°pleasant
DecemberDec25.1°24.0°26.7°pleasant
Sunshine
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Machala

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

Per year
2,160 hours
Sunniest month
Aug · 6.6 h a day
Least sunshine
Mar · 4.8 h a day
OctoberSunshine 6.0 hDaylight 12.2 hShare of daylight 49 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 6.0 of 12.2 hours of daylight in Machala, 49 % 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

Rain in Machala: 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
1,608 mm on 224 days
Wettest month
Mar · 339 mm
Driest month
Aug · 29 mm
OctoberRainy days 17Rainfall 57 mm

In October, Machala has about 17 rainy days with 57 mm of rain in total.

UV index
Sun protection

UV index in Machala

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

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

The sun is strongest in March (UV 14).

Minutes until sunburn in October

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

Wind and clouds in Machala

How breezy and how cloudy Machala 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
12 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Oct · 14 km/h
Calmest month
Feb · 11 km/h
OctoberWind 14 km/hBeaufort 3
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Machala typically peaks at 14 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.

Clouds

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

Year average
84 % · mostly overcast
Clearest month
Jul · 77 %
Cloudiest month
Mar · 90 %
OctoberCloud cover 88 %Sunshine 6.0 h

In October, cloud covers on average 88 % of the sky over Machala: mostly overcast, with about 6.0 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 & humidity

Heat and humidity in Machala

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

Hot days a year
18 days
Hottest month
Mar · 29 °C
Hot months
none

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 0Daytime high 26 °C

In October, Machala has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 26 °C: often muggy. The air feels warmer than the thermometer says: light, airy clothes and slow days help.

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 Machala

Weather for your travel dates

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

Machala 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.

Machala has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 78) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 44).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    44

    Fair

    • 29 °C by day
    • Sea 27 °C
    • 5.4 h of sun a day
    • 24 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    53

    Fair

    • 28 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 5.9 h of sun a day
    • 22 rainy days a month
  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    78

    GoodBest holidays

    • 26 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 6.5 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks

  • October half-term

    Oct

    62

    Good

    • 26 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 6.0 h of sun a day
    • 17 rainy days a month
  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    55

    Fair

    • 28 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 5.8 h of sun a day
    • 23 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 12 h
Distance
9,570 km
Time zone
UTC−5
Jet lag
About 4 days (6 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.

Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

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

Good to know: Ecuador

Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Language
Spanish
Sockets
Type A, B · 120 V
Traffic
Drives on the right
Dialling code
+593
Emergency number
911

UK plugs need a travel adapter

Only 120 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.

Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.

Compare & alternatives

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Machala compared

Put Machala side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
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Machala vs Tumbes

In October the holiday weather in Machala and Tumbes is about equally good (score 62 vs 65). During the day Tumbes is 5 °C warmer than Machala. The sea is about equally warm.

Machala vs Tumbes, in October
in OctoberMachalaTumbes
Holiday weather score6265
Daytime high26°31°
Sea24°24°
Sunshine6 h6 h
Rainy days173
Best timeJul – SepMay – Dec

Through the year

OctoberMachala 26°Tumbes 31°
MachalaTumbes
Go to Tumbes
Best places in the country
Ranking

Ecuador in October: the best places

In October, Machala ranks 4 of 12 destinations in this country.

  1. Galápagos (Puerto Ayora)27°22°92
  2. 2Puerto Baquerizo Moreno24°22°77
  3. 3Manta30°25°68
  4. 4MachalaThis page26°24°62
  5. 5Cuenca19°62
  6. 6Vilcabamba25°60
  7. 7Loja22°59
  8. 8Baños22°58
All destinations: Ecuador
Places nearby

Near Machala

Other destinations close by.

Places with a similar climate

Places with a climate like Machala

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

  1. 75 % similar68NouméaNew Caledonia27°23°Best time: May – Nov
  2. 70 % similar81Saint-DenisRéunion26°24°Best time: May – Nov
  3. 69 % similar62ParatyBrazil25°23°Best time: Apr – Nov
  4. 68 % similar58GuarujáBrazil26°23°Best time: May – Sep

Frequently asked questions about Machala

When is the best time to visit Machala?

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

How warm is the sea in Machala?

The sea temperature in Machala ranges from 23.4 °C in September to 27.1 °C in March. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

Can you swim in Machala in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Machala?

March is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and nights around 23 °C. August is the coolest month at 26 °C.

When does it rain most in Machala?

The rainy season is from January to April; the wettest month is March with 339 mm. The driest month is August with 29 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Machala get?

Machala gets around 2,160 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is August with 6.6 hours a day; in March there are 4.8 hours a day.

What time zone is Machala in?

Machala is on UTC−5 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Machala?

A nonstop flight from London to Machala takes about 12 h, for a straight-line distance of about 9,570 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Which school holidays are best for Machala?

Machala has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 78) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 44). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 44, May half-term 53, summer holidays 78, October half-term 62, Christmas holidays 55.