International Workers' Day

📣 Traveler notes

Ecuador, situated on the Equator in northwestern South America, features key sites such as the Galapagos Islands and UNESCO World Heritage cities (Quito and Cuenca) in the Andes, known for active volcanoes like Cotopaxi.

• Dress warmer when visiting the mountainous Sierra region (e.g., Quito).
• Opt for more casual attire when on the coast.
• Use the formal 'usted' pronoun in Spanish when uncertain about the appropriate register.
• Use standard greetings ('buenos días', 'buenas tardes', 'buenas noches'). Physical greetings include a handshake between men, and a cheek kiss between women or between men and women. When speaking Spanish, use the formal 'usted' with older or unfamiliar individuals. Be aware that close physical proximity during conversation is customary. In the Sierra regions, use a side-facing hand for measuring height or a downward swipe for summoning, rather than a downward-facing palm.