The date when Carnival takes place varies from year to year. The reason why is that it is a profoundly catholic tradition. Carnival should occur on Monday and Tuesday, 40 days before Easter each year, prior to the Catholic fasting period (around mid-February).

In Ecuador, the festival incorporates an older indigenous tradition of celebrating the second moon by throwing flowers, water, and flour. It is a period of celebration and abundance before the fasting. Though it takes place throughout the country, Guaranda and Ambato are the primary carriers of the tradition.  

 Holly Week in Ecuador gathers iconic characters in a procession recreating Christ’s journey to the cross, an intensely theatrical tradition. Semana Santa starts on the second Sunday of April. If you happen to be in Quito during this period, make sure you catch one of the multiple processions and immerse yourself in tradition.

However, the not-to-miss event is the Jesus del Gran Poder procession in the lovely historical center of Quitor. Make sure you arrive on time, as it gets pretty crowded.

The Inti Raymi celebrations occur during June and July; however, the primary party is held on June 2st. A deeply Andean tradition, the Sun Festival begins with the sunset of the longest night of the year. As soon as the Andean summer begins, Inti Raymi is a celebration and gratitude to the sun.

The festival also matches with the harvest season and the end of an Andean agricultural cycle. The party involves traditional dances (San Juan) and drinks (Chicha de Jora). A colorful and joyful event, symbolizing new beginnings. 

 The Yamor festivities started 52 years ago. It is a celebration of the intercultural peoples of Otavalo. It blends the celebration of Koya Raymi (the ritual of the moon and the sun as elements of fertility) with Catholic traditions. The word “Yamor” refers to a traditional beverage brewed using seven corn varieties and is unique to this area. This beverage runs freely during the festivities. The indigenous groups of Kichwa Cayambi and Kichwa Otavalo honor the Andean agricultural cycle, with special attention to corn, which is considered a symbol of fertility.

The festivities include processions, music, dancing in the streets, fireworks, cockfighting, mock bullfighting, and lots of fun. You can take a two-day trip to Otavalo during the Inti Raymi season to look deeper at the festival. 

 The Yammer festivities started 52 years ago. It is a celebration of the intercultural peoples of Otavalo. It blends the celebration of Koya Raymi (the ritual of the moon and the sun as elements of fertility) with Catholic traditions. The word “Yammer” refers to a traditional beverage brewed using seven corn varieties and is unique to this area. This beverage runs freely during the festivities. The indigenous groups of Kichwa Cayambi and Kichwa Otavalo honor the Andean agricultural cycle, mainly corn, which is considered a symbol of fertility. The festivities include processions, music, dancing in the streets, fireworks, cockfighting, mock bullfighting, and lots of fun. You can take a two-day trip to Otavalo during the Inti Raymi season to take a deeper look at the festival.

The Festival of La Mama Negra takes place in the town of Latacunga in Ecuador at the end of September and again during November. La Mama Negra is one of the oldest in the city, and it is a display of the varied cultural influences from its Spanish, Aymaran, Incan, Mayan, and African ancestors. The city streets fill to watch a parade of legendary characters pass by, bestowing blessings, candy, and homemade brew. The festival was established when the Cotopaxi volcano erupted in 1742.

The locals of the region asked the Virgin of Mercy, the patron of Cotopaxi, to spare Latacunga. When the town escaped the volcano's wrath, an annual celebration was set in place in her honor.

This is one of the most amusing celebrations in Ecuador, and it takes place at the end of the year. It entails various traditions, but the most notorious one is the burning of Año Viejo (old year) dolls. This effigy is made from newspaper, sawdust, and cardboard representing political figures, personalities, or loved ones.

The burning symbolizes the start of new experiences and better things to come. Las Viudas (The Widows) are significant thing dung these celebrations. Men dressed as women personify the viudas, mourning for the Año Viejo Puppet.

Located in Quito’s Old Town district, the Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco features several masterpieces, including a sculpture of a winged Holy Virgin by Legarda. Construction for the church began in 1550 on land where the palace of the Incan ruler Atahualpa once stood.

The church complex is massive, covering nearly two blocks, and includes an adjoining museum. San Francisco Church and the surrounding Old Town area are considered one of the most important cultural centers in Latin America. They are one of the main tourist attractions in Ecuador.

Part of the fun of traveling in Ecuador is exploring the handiwork crafted by local artisans. There’s no better place to see and purchase local arts, crafts, and clothing than at the markets in the small town of Otavalo. The city is known the world over for the handiwork of its indigenous people, the Otavalo.

Every Saturday, in the city’s Plaza de Ponchos, a broad array of jewelry, wood and stone carvings, and woven clothing are offered for sale.

The colonial city of Cuenca is the third-largest in Ecuador, famous for its year-round temperate climate. The New Cathedral of Cuenca, or “Catedral Nueva,” is the city’s most recognizable landmark. Construction of the church began in the late 1800s and continued for nearly a century.

With a façade crafted from alabaster and marble, the Catedral Nueva is most notable for its three immense domes, each covered in blue glazed tile imported from Czechoslovakia.

Ecuador’s southern coastal region boasts scenic shorelines and world-famous beach resorts, including the popular Montañita.

Montañita Town was a sleep fishing village until the international surfing community discovered the area’s exceptional surfing conditions. Montañita is known for its nightlife and nightclubs, bars, and cafés to entertain locals and visitors alike.

Situated in the Amazon rainforest region of Ecuador, for tourists, Tena serves as a launching point for jungle adventures. Missionaries founded the town, and a cinnamon industry helped the city survive. The Tena River joins with the Masahualli River and then with the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon.

 Adventure enthusiasts cite Tena as one of the best places in the world for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, established in 1979, will appeal to travelers who want to combine the scenic beauty of tropical scenery with wildlife viewing. Located in the Andean foothills of Orellana Province, it is the second largest of Ecuador’s national parks and reserves. Its eight ecosystems, including watersheds, rainforests, and poorly drained areas, can be reached from Lago Agrio.

The reserve is home to more than 500 species of birds and 15 species of monkeys, tapirs, caimans, butterflies, and anacondas, plus lots of other animals and insects.

Quilotoa Loop is one of the most beautiful lakes in Ecuador and makes for a wonderful visit. It offers stunning scenery and cultural experiences with local people, markets, and villages. Many people regard this trek along with the Galapagos and Amazon as one of the country’s must-visit attractions.

The circuit is about 200km, and if you want to finish at the lake itself, a great way to go is from north to south, beginning in Sigchos and ending in Quilotoa. You will pass fantastic scenery, such as lakes, rivers, valleys, Quechua communities, as well as the massive volcano. From the rim of Quilotoa Laguna, you can also see the beautiful snow-capped peaks of Cotopaxi.

Baños de Agua Santa is a small Andean city backed by the Tungurahua volcano.Sitting in a great environment of waterfalls, forests, and volcanoes, the area is worth visiting for its scenery alone. Known as the adventure capital of Ecuador, in addition to the fantastic view, you can enjoy many different activities, such as mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, and lively nightlife. 

The city is located in central Ecuador and is a tourist hub for visitors interested in the hot pools, the many different activities, and the surrounding forests.

Cuenca is a 16th-century city in Ecuador’s highlands, with the city center listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A favorite city in Ecuador, you can find many fantastic historical buildings with impressive architecture and many other tourist attractions, such as churches, museums, and attractive city parks.

A favorite place for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, Cuenca is also a great place to browse traditional Ecuadorian products, such as ceramics, hats, and different crafts.