Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Holy Week starts next weekend. Good Friday (April 3) is the only mandatory national holiday — Thursday is NOT a holiday this year. Expect massive domestic travel to the coast, packed buses, and Quito's world-famous processions.
Coffee grown in Quito's UNESCO-designated Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve is gaining international recognition and finding growing markets in Europe, adding another dimension to Ecuador's agricultural export story.
Ecuador's largest coastal carnival runs February 14-18 with a 14 km parade route, international music, and a new beachfront food festival. Hotel occupancy is projected at 94%.
Quito is building a 400-space underground parking structure, installing 280 LED lights, and adding 65 security cameras to the city's most-visited park. Construction starts in April.
The Pregon parade rolls down Avenida Cevallos this morning and the Queen of Ambato election is tonight. Ecuador's most civilized Carnival celebration runs February 13-17 with 148 events and a $1.2 million budget. Here's the full guide.
Ecuador's four-day Carnival holiday runs Saturday February 14 through Tuesday February 17. Galapagos gets five days. Here's the practical guide for expats -- where to go, what's closed, and how to survive the water.
For the first time in years, Air Canada will fly nonstop to Quito from both Montreal and Toronto starting December 2026. Boeing 787 Dreamliner service, three times weekly from Montreal, once from Toronto — a big deal for Canadian expats.
Starting mid-April, Avianca will offer daily nonstop service between Quito and Miami, giving expats and travelers yet another convenient link between Ecuador and the US.
Visiting the Galapagos just got pricier: the national park entry fee for foreign tourists has doubled to $200, though expats with a cedula pay a much lower resident rate of $50.
