Yacurí National Park
National Park Protected Andean park in Loja, high-altitude biodiversity
Yacurí National Park in southern Ecuador protects high-Andean lakes, páramo and ridgelines; trekkers come for multi-day hikes, cold-country photography and encounters with cushion plants and mountain lagoons.
How to Get to Yacurí National Park #
Yacurí National Park is accessed from Loja Province. Common approach routes begin in the city of Loja, then by road toward local mountain towns such as Zapotillo or La Toma depending on the chosen trailhead. Local transport and 4x4 vehicles are often necessary; many visitors hire local guides or arrange logistics through tour operators in Loja.
Tips for Visiting Yacurí National Park #
- Hire a local guide from Loja province for trail access and safe route-finding-many high-altitude paths are unmarked.
- Acclimatize at mid-elevation villages before attempting higher day hikes; altitude reaches over 4,000m in parts of the park.
- Bring layers and a waterproof shell: weather changes rapidly at Andean elevations.
Best Time to Visit Yacurí National Park #
Best visited in the dry season (June-September) for trail conditions and clear mountain views; mornings are often clearest.
Weather & Climate near Yacurí National Park #
Yacurí National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 5°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1064 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (196 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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