Manta and Portoviejo Rake in $20.5 Million During Carnival — 90% Hotel Occupancy

Manabí just had the best Carnival in its history — and the numbers prove the coast’s tourism boom is accelerating.

The Numbers

| Metric | Result | |--------|--------| | Total tourism revenue (Manta + Portoviejo) | $20.5 million | | Manta hotel occupancy | 90% | | National tourism revenue | $81.9 million | | National trips recorded | 1.284 million | | National hotel occupancy | 49.6% | | Mariana Fest attendance (single event) | ~60,000 |

The Carnival holiday ran from Saturday, February 14 through Tuesday, February 17, and Manabí emerged as the clear winner among Ecuador’s tourist destinations.

Nationally, tourism spending hit $81.9 million — a 12% increase over the previous year — with 1.284 million trips recorded across the country, up 6% from prior years.

Why Manabí Is Winning

Manabí’s tourism surge is driven by several converging factors:

• World Gastronomy Region 2026. The IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism) designated Manabí as the first region in the Americas to hold this title. The province’s 3,000+ traditional dishes — including ceviche, encebollado, corviche, and the iconic sal prieta — are drawing food tourists from across Ecuador and internationally
• Beach infrastructure investment. Manta’s Malecón (boardwalk), improved hotel stock, and beach facilities have raised the standard of the coastal tourism experience
• The Mariana Fest. This year’s Carnival music festival at El Murciélago beach drew approximately 60,000 attendees in a single day, establishing it as one of Ecuador’s largest beach events
• Post-Carnival bus demand. The Manta bus terminal was overwhelmed on February 17 as visitors departed, with buses to Quito and Guayaquil leaving full and travelers advised to arrive early

Manabí vs. Other Coastal Destinations

Manabí is pulling ahead of traditional coastal favorites:

• Salinas (Santa Elena province) still attracts Guayaquil weekenders but has seen concerns about coastal flooding and sea-level rise
• Montanita remains a backpacker favorite but lacks the hotel infrastructure for mass tourism
• Esmeraldas continues to struggle with safety concerns that deter domestic and international visitors

What This Means for Expats

• Manta property values are rising. If you own coastal real estate in Manabí, this tourism boom is increasing your property’s value. If you’re looking to buy, prices are climbing — but still well below comparable beachfront in other Latin American countries
• More services and infrastructure. Tourism revenue drives investment in restaurants, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Coastal expats benefit directly from the improving infrastructure
• Expect more crowds during holidays. The flip side of the tourism boom is that peak periods like Carnival, Holy Week, and August vacations will bring massive crowds, higher prices, and traffic congestion
• The gastronomy angle is a lifestyle bonus. Living in the world’s designated gastronomy region means better restaurants, food festivals, and culinary tourism — all of which enrich daily life on the coast

Sources: El Universo, Prensa Latina