Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Ecuador's Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano, confirmed scheduled power interruptions in Guayas province on two additional Sundays, running from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM, for maintenance work at the Dos Cerritos substation. Affected areas include Guayaquil, Samborondón, Santa Lucía, Pedro Carbo, and Daule.
President Noboa signed Decreto 353 on April 2, declaring a 60-day state of exception across nine provinces and four cantons. Warrantless searches are now legal in affected areas, though no curfew has been imposed. Expats in Pichincha, Guayas, Manabi, and other covered provinces should understand what rights have been suspended.
President Noboa signed a decree suspending work on April 30, creating a 4-day weekend alongside May 1 (Labor Day). Banks, government offices, and many businesses will close April 30 through May 3. Expect heavy domestic travel, booked hotels, and coastal congestion.
Baños de Agua Santa reached 100% hotel occupancy for Easter weekend, drawing approximately 30,000 daily visitors. The adventure tourism hotspot is a popular expat day-trip destination. Expect heavy traffic on the Ambato-Baños highway and congested attractions through April 5.
Ecuador's Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first imported case of Mpox Clade Ib on April 2 -- the more contagious variant that has driven outbreaks in Central Africa. The case was identified through genomic sequencing by INSPI. Health authorities activated a national alert but stressed there is no need for alarm.
Ecuador's Semana Santa holiday runs April 3-5 with Good Friday as a national holiday. Banks and government offices close, IVA drops to 8% for tourism, and major processions take place across Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Riobamba. Here's your practical guide.
A New York Times investigation reveals that a joint U.S.-Ecuadorian military operation showcased as destroying a drug trafficker's training camp actually destroyed a cattle and dairy farm in Sucumbíos province. Workers allege beatings, choking, and electrical shocks by soldiers.
Holy Week runs March 29 to April 5. Good Friday (April 3) is a national holiday. Banks close, highways jam, ATMs run dry. Here's everything you need to know — from Quito's processions to beach town crowds to sierra road conditions.
Cuenca's creative community just made history. 'Chulla Vida,' a seven-episode comedy miniseries produced entirely in Cuenca with a 69-person local crew and filmed across 42 iconic city locations, premiered on February 19 on Ecuador's leading streaming platform Ecuavisa Play.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across all of Ecuador on March 3, 2026. The moon will turn a deep red during approximately 58 minutes of totality, with the entire event lasting over five hours. Here is everything you need to know to watch it.
Ecuador's most famous Carnival celebration takes over the highland city of Guaranda on March 4-5, with parades, music, water fights, traditional food, and rivers of Chicha de Jora. Here is your complete guide to experiencing Ecuador's biggest party.
Pawkar Raymi, the ancient Kichwa festival celebrating the flowering of crops and the spring equinox, returns to the indigenous communities around Otavalo in mid-to-late March 2026. Centered in the village of Peguche, it is Ecuador's most authentic indigenous cultural celebration.
