Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Guayaquil has more than 100 kilometers of streets under intervention across the north, center and south of the city. Some merchants report sales declines of 40% to 50% as road closures and restricted access affect customer traffic.
Primicias reports Quito will suspend the Paseo Dominical on May 31 because the Quito 15K and 21K races overlap with several sections of the route. The races start in south Quito and finish at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa.
Ecuador's weather service flagged moderate-to-heavy rain, electrical storms, strong wind gusts and flooding risk from 4:00 p.m. May 17 until noon May 20, spanning coastal, highland and Amazon provinces. Here's who's affected and what to do.
Ecuador's health regulator Arcsa closed a crab restaurant in Sauces 6, north Guayaquil, after multiple citizens reported gastrointestinal illness. Inspectors found no operating permit, expired products, and a bathroom in the kitchen area.
Road rehabilitation work means lane closures on two sections of northern Quito's main highway starting May 7. Central lanes stay open, but if you commute through Calderón or Carapungo, plan ahead.
Ministry data shows more than 20% of Ecuador's road network requires caution, and the government has flagged 14 specific highways as risky for the 4-day holiday. Here's the condition breakdown and which routes to watch.
Ecuador's main Quito-to-coast corridor was closed Monday after a drainage structure collapsed at kilometer 83 of the Alóag-Santo Domingo highway. Expreso reports the closure at km 87; Teleamazonas places it at km 89. No official reopening time yet. Here's what you need to know if you're traveling this week.
Mazar, the critical reservoir feeding Ecuador's largest hydroelectric complex, has fallen to just 22 meters above its operational minimum. With the dry season outlook uncertain, the specter of the 2024 blackouts -- when Ecuadorians lived through 14-hour daily power cuts -- is back on the table.
Friday April 3 is a mandatory national holiday in Ecuador. Banks are closed through Sunday, government offices shut down, but supermarkets and pharmacies stay open. President Noboa's VAT reduction to 8% on tourism services kicks in for the long weekend.
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.
The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) signed a $42 million loan agreement with Cuenca for urban infrastructure development -- one of the largest multilateral financing packages for an Ecuadorian city outside Quito and Guayaquil. The investment comes as Cuenca faces mounting infrastructure strain from flooding and aging utility systems.
Holy Week runs Palm Sunday (March 29) through Easter Sunday (April 5). Good Friday April 3 is the national holiday. Holy Thursday April 2 is NOT a holiday unless the government issues a special decree. Banks, government offices, and most businesses close April 3.
