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Cuenca's biggest celebration (alongside November 3) is coming up fast. The 469th Foundation Day festival runs April 6 through April 29, with over 100 events including concerts by Andrés Cepeda and Devendra Banhart, parades, food fairs, and more. April 12 is a local holiday. Here's what we know so far.

The national numbers are in from Carnival 2026 — Ecuador's tourism sector pulled in $81.9 million over four days. But Cuenca's story was more complicated, with the city ranking third nationally in emergency calls. Here's the full post-Carnival breakdown.

If Cuenca felt unusually packed this weekend, you weren't imagining it. Hotels hit 90% occupancy, 1.3 million Ecuadorians hit the road, and the government estimates the four-day feriado will generate up to $100 million in tourism spending. Here's what the Carnival boom actually looked like.

What started as a festive Carnival Saturday turned dangerous fast. Intense afternoon rains on February 14 and 15 flooded at least 15 neighborhoods, damaged homes in Barabón Chico, and sent emergency crews scrambling across western Cuenca. Meanwhile, in Cajas National Park, lightning struck four hikers on Cerro San Luis.

Remember when we told you they were going to try? They did it. On Valentine's Day, 30 chefs prepared 1,723 kilograms of mote pata at Plaza San Francisco, earning Cuenca an official Guinness World Record and feeding 9,500 people for free.

If you see people in teal blue uniforms patrolling El Centro and don't recognize them — relax, it's still the Guardia Ciudadana. Cuenca's municipal security force ditched the old red look for a full rebrand in 2026. Here's what changed and what they actually do.

Azuay province is under an orange weather alert through Carnival weekend. Three provinces are at red. If you're driving to the coast or anywhere outside Cuenca this holiday, here's what the alert levels mean, which roads to avoid, and what to pack.

Every event, concert, and parade happening in Cuenca for Carnival 2026 — from the Mote Pata workshop to Nicky Jam at the stadium. Plus Tranvía schedule changes, road patrol info, and what's open and closed this holiday weekend.

On Valentine's Day, Plaza de San Francisco will host the world's largest motepata — a traditional Cuencan corn-and-pork stew — with Guinness officials on hand to certify the record. Plates are just $2.