Carnival is a national holiday in Ecuador celebrated either in February or March, depending on the Liturgical Calendar. It lasts four days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Carnival has its origins as a Catholic holiday that has blended with Andean traditions to become a huge festival. Carnival marks the transition from winter to spring. It's the Mardi Gras of Latin America. It also honors the indigenous Kichwa holiday of Paucar Huatay – the end of the solar year. For that reason, many of the parades will include also characters such as the Diablo Huma.
How do they celebrate Carnival in Ecuador?
Ecuadorians celebrate with fervor the Carnival, especially in the Andes region. During that time people express as much craziness as possible before the reflective period of Lent or ‘Cuaresma’ in Spanish.
It is a tradition to participate in some kind of carnival war. Many people will arm themselves with water guns, and colored foam (carioca) to play with family and friends. Others enjoy tossing out buckets full of water from rooftops, open windows, and doorways at passersby. In some places, especially in the Central Ecuadorian Andes, water is topped off with flour to make it a sticky mess. In general, neighborhood parties and lots of troublemaking are very common.
Where to go to Carnival?
There are many places to experience unique and fun Carnival celebrations in Ecuador. In big cities, there are often parades along with people dancing in colorful costumes and masks. As a visitor, you can be part of the carnival tradition celebrated by the people in Pastaza, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, and Azuay.
Most famous Ecuadorian Carnivals are celebrated in Ambato and Guaranda. Ambato celebrates the Flowers and Fruit Festival (Festival de las Flores y las Frutas) with parades, parties, sports competitions, and agricultural expositions. Guaranda also celebrates with several parades.
Visiting the beach during Carnival
Ecuadorians enjoy visiting the beach during the Carnival holidays. Families and friends will party day and night from Saturday to Tuesday. Carnival beaches for northern Ecuador are Tonsupa, Atacames, and Same. Beaches for southern Ecuador are Playas, Salinas, Canoa, Manta, and Montanita.
Tips
During Carnival, do not wear your most expensive clothes and make sure that your electronic devices and valuables are in a plastic bag.
The best time to show up in parades is in the morning. During the afternoon, parades may be full of alcohol. People usually share drinks such as chicha jora (a fermented drink made from corn), and a liqueur known as "pajaro azul" (bluebird).
