The Battle of Pichincha (observed)

📣 Traveler notes

Ecuador, a South American country on the Equator, contains UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Galapagos Islands and the Andean cities of Quito and Cuenca. The country is notable for its high active volcanoes, such as Cotopaxi.

• Quito (Sierra region) is cooler and requires warmer clothing, while coastal areas tend to be more casual.
• When measuring height, do not use a downward-facing palm; use the side of the hand instead.
• To signal someone to approach, use a downward swipe with the palm facing down.
• Use standard Spanish greetings: "buenos días" (morning), "buenas tardes" (afternoon), or "buenas noches" (evening). For casual greetings, "Hola" is common. When addressing unfamiliar people or elders, it is advisable to use the formal pronoun "usted" in Spanish.