May Day Feriado: Ecuador Gets Four Days Off Starting April 30 — Decree 354 Details

The Official Schedule

Decreto Ejecutivo 354 signed by President Daniel Noboa establishes:

• Working days this week: Monday April 27 – Wednesday April 29
• Mandatory holiday: Thursday April 30 (bridge day) through Sunday May 3
• Applies to: Both public and private sector employees

Thursday April 30 is the puente (bridge), connecting to the national holiday of May 1 — Día del Trabajo (International Workers' Day).

Overtime Rules

If your employer requires you to work during the mandatory rest days:

• Work counts as extraordinary hours
• Rate: 100% surcharge over regular daily pay (effectively double time)
• This applies to both Thursday April 30 and Friday May 1

What This Means for Expats

Government Services — CLOSED Thursday–Sunday

• Immigration offices (Cancillería, civil registry): Closed. Visa appointments, cédula renewals, apostilles — handle by Wednesday
• SRI (tax authority): Closed. Tax filing deadlines that fall on these days typically get extended to Monday May 4
• Courts and notaries: Closed Thursday and Friday at minimum
• Municipal offices across all cities: Closed

Banking — CLOSED Thursday–Friday

• Banks: Closed Thursday April 30 and Friday May 1. Most reopen Saturday with reduced hours
• ATMs: Operational but expect longer lines Wednesday
• Wire transfers: Process on Monday May 4 if initiated Thursday or after
• Tip: Handle any international transfers by Wednesday to avoid a 5-day float

Retail & Services

• Supermarkets: Major chains (Supermaxi, Coral, Gran Akí) typically open on holiday hours
• Pharmacies: Rotating schedule — at least one per zone open in every city
• Restaurants: Many independents close; chains and mall food courts typically remain open
• Markets: Municipal markets generally close Thursday/Friday, reopen Saturday morning

Domestic Employees

If you ask household staff (housekeepers, gardeners, drivers) to work on April 30 or May 1, you legally owe double their regular daily wage. This isn't optional — it's Labor Code.

Travel

• Airports: Operating normally
• Bus terminals: Full service but expect heavy volume Wednesday evening and Sunday evening
• Roads: Higher traffic on routes to the coast (Cuenca→Guayaquil, Quito→Esmeraldas) starting Wednesday PM

Source: Primicias