New Year's Day (observed)

📣 Traveler notes

Ecuador, located on the Equator in northwestern South America, features attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Galapagos Islands and the cities of Quito and Cuenca, alongside high volcanoes like Cotopaxi.

• Dress according to the climate: warmer attire is expected on the coast, and warmer clothing is needed in the mountainous Sierra region.
• Expect celebrations to span both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
• Use formal address ("usted") when speaking Spanish to unfamiliar or older individuals. Use appropriate greetings ("buenos días," "buenas tardes," "buenas noches"). Be aware that personal space is often closer than in some other cultures. When gesturing, use a side-to-side motion for height and a downward hand swipe for 'come here' to be considered polite.