Ambato's Famous Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores Kicks Off Today for Its 75th Anniversary

If you want to experience Carnival in Ecuador without getting drenched, Ambato is your destination. The city's famous Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores kicks off today with its 75th anniversary edition -- the Bodas de Diamante -- and runs through February 17.

What's Happening Today (February 7)

Pregon Parade -- 9:00 AM

The opening parade rolls down Avenida Cevallos this morning. This year's theme is "Ambato, un mundo de magia y fantasia" (a world of magic and fantasy). Students aged 8-12 from 35 schools will perform circus acts, acrobatics, juggling, and music along the route.

Queen of Ambato Election -- 7:00 PM

Eleven candidates compete tonight at the Coliseo de Deportes for the title of Reina de Ambato 2026. The election ceremony is a major cultural event that draws thousands.

Main Festival: February 13-17

The main celebrations coincide with Ecuador's Carnival holiday weekend. The schedule includes 148 events across five days:

• Friday, Feb 13: Festival opening, concerts begin
• Saturday, Feb 14: Cultural events, rondas nocturnas (night parades)
• Sunday, Feb 15: The main event -- the Desfile de la Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores parade through the city's principal avenues starting at 9:00 AM, followed by the Feria de las Flores, Frutas y Pan (flower, fruit, and bread fair) at 1:00 PM in Parque Cevallos
• Monday-Tuesday, Feb 16-17: Continued concerts, cultural performances, and community events

The concert lineup spans rock, cumbia, musica popular, vallenato, and national rhythms across all five days.

Why Expats Love Ambato's Carnival

Ambato is the only major city in Ecuador that officially bans water games during Carnival. While the rest of the country goes wild with water balloons, buckets, spray foam, and the occasional raw egg, Ambato keeps things dry and sophisticated.

Instead of water warfare, the city celebrates with:

• Elaborate flower and fruit displays showcasing Tungurahua province's agricultural heritage
• Cultural performances including traditional music and dance
• Artisan fairs with local crafts and food
• Parades featuring ornate floats decorated with flowers and fruit

For expats who've been ambushed one too many times by kids with water balloons, Ambato is a revelation.

Practical Information

• Budget: The festival has a $1.2 million budget, including $1 million from the government's patrimonial festival designation
• Getting there: Ambato is roughly 2.5 hours from Quito by bus, 5 hours from Cuenca, and 4 hours from Guayaquil
• Accommodations: Book now if you haven't already -- hotels fill up fast for Carnival weekend
• Food: Don't leave without trying llapingachos (potato patties), pan de Ambato, and the local fruit preparations that give the festival its name
• Transport back: Return buses on Tuesday evening will be packed. Consider leaving Wednesday morning instead

A Note on the Rest of the Country

If you're staying in Cuenca, Guayaquil, or anywhere else during Carnival, prepare for water. The intensity varies -- Guaranda is maximum chaos, cities are moderate, rural areas are unpredictable. Waterproof your phone, wear expendable clothes, and embrace it or stay indoors during afternoon peak hours.

Sources: El Universo, Metro Ecuador, Ecuador Turistico