Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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.
The international Live The 90s Festival arrives in Guayaquil on March 26 at the Palacio de Cristal on the Malecon, featuring Haddaway, Snap!, Dr. Alban, Mr. President, and Daisy Dee from Technotronic. For 80s and 90s kids living in Ecuador, this is the concert of the year.
Spanish singer-songwriter Pablo Alboran performs two concerts in Ecuador in March 2026 — March 19 at Coliseo Ruminahui in Quito and March 21 at Coliseo Voltaire Paladines Polo in Guayaquil. One of the most popular artists in the Spanish-speaking world, Alboran brings romantic ballads and Latin pop to intimate arena settings.
Ecuador is experiencing its wettest February in a decade, with Cuenca recording 150mm of rain — nearly double the historical average. Nationwide, 4,700 people have been impacted, 770 displaced, and the Mazar reservoir is discharging at over-capacity.
Environment Minister Ines Manzano ordered an indefinite suspension of all mining in Napo province and restrictions on 80 gold processing plants in El Oro and Loja after government tests found cyanide, arsenic, and lead in rivers exceeding safe limits.
Colombia suspended electricity sales to Ecuador and imposed retaliatory tariffs after Ecuador slapped a 30% 'security tariff' on Colombian goods. With Ecuador's grid 79% dependent on hydroelectric power, the loss of Colombian energy imports raises the specter of the devastating 2024 blackouts.
Ecuador's Carnival holiday weekend delivered a record tourism boost: $81.9 million in revenue, 1.28 million domestic trips, and hotel occupancy of nearly 50% — while the government temporarily slashed VAT on tourism services from 15% to 8%.
Ecuador's rental market is tightening sharply in Cuenca, Quito, and Guayaquil, with rising demand from both locals and expats pushing monthly rates higher. Meanwhile, property sale prices are firming up after years of stagnation, with condos and gated communities in highest demand.
The International Monetary Fund reports Ecuador is 'recovering much faster than anticipated' from the devastating 2024 blackout crisis. Inflation is forecast at just 1.5% for 2026 — among the lowest in Latin America — though housing costs spiked 16.97%.
The U.S. Embassy has issued security alerts for downtown Guayaquil, warning American citizens about ongoing demonstrations following the arrest of Mayor Aquiles Alvarez on money laundering charges. Expats are advised to avoid protest areas and carry identification at all times.
