Ecuador

Colonial cores (Quito, Cuenca); closer hop from Colombia than Mexico/Brazil. Archaeology punch is milder than Mexico/Peru for many people.

Weather in August — good time?

Yes for the highlands — among the better months.

August is typically dry / dryish in Quito and the Andes highlands: bright days (~18–22°C), cool clear nights, good for walking and day trips (Cotopaxi, etc.). Galápagos is a separate climate (cooler water / peak tourism in northern-summer months) and doesn’t fit this short leftover window anyway (kimkim Ecuador in August).

Bottom line: Weather is a plus for Quito/Cuenca in late August; the question is whether the place list is exciting enough vs Mexico archaeology or a Brazil friend visit.

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See also: Beyond Colombia · Itinerary · Flights