Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Results for “travel”Clear
Italian singer Laura Pausini will perform in Quito on April 24, 2026 at the Coliseo General Rumiñahui as part of her international tour. Tickets are available through standard Ecuadorian ticketing channels.
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.
Ecuador's Semana Santa holiday generated an estimated 800,000 domestic trips and $70 million in economic activity. Manta led all destinations with 158,000 visitors and 80% hotel occupancy, while Amazon lodges hit 90%. A temporary VAT cut to 8% for tourism services sweetened the deal.
Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport will close its runway for 12 hours on Saturday, April 11 for preventive maintenance. All flights between 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM will be affected. Airlines are rebooking, but travelers should confirm their itineraries now.
Ecuador's National Assembly passed a new mining and energy law 77-70 on February 26, replacing environmental licenses with simplified authorizations and allowing rock extraction in the Galapagos Islands. CONAIE and environmental groups are protesting the changes as a rollback of decades of conservation policy.
A Trans Esmeraldas interprovincial bus overturned on the E20 highway during Semana Santa travel, injuring more than 20 passengers. A separate crash in Colta killed 2. The incidents underscore the persistent dangers of Ecuador's highway system during peak holiday travel periods.
Barcelona SC opens its Copa Libertadores Group D campaign against Brazilian side Cruzeiro at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday. BSC enters on a high after a 2-0 win over Liga de Quito, while Cruzeiro is struggling. The match carries significant economic implications for Guayaquil.
Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health has launched dengue prevention interventions across 1,500 critical sectors in seven provinces, with 945 confirmed cases reported in early 2026. Sucumbios, Guayas, Esmeraldas, and Pichincha are the hardest hit as the rainy season continues.
Ecuador's monthly fuel price adjustment takes effect April 12, raising prices on low-octane gasoline (Extra and Ecopais) and diesel. Super gasoline stays the same. The change pushes up transport costs and adds inflationary pressure to groceries and services.
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.
Police in Guayaquil dismantled a massive phone theft operation involving 25,000 stolen devices valued at over $3 million. Authorities recovered approximately 30% of the phones through device tracking. The scale reveals how organized phone theft has become -- and why basic security practices matter for every resident.
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.
