
Family Friendly Carnival in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Laughing children, water guns, espuma and full beaches are sure signs that it is Carnival in Ecuador. During this pre-Lent festival running Friday evening through Tuesday, many families flock to beach towns to swim, hang out on the sand and relax. Puerto Lopez beach’s busiest day of the year is Monday of Carnival.
If you are picturing Carnival in Brazil with huge costumes and parades, it is not quite the same. The Ecuador festival is very family friendly and less flamboyant than its Brazilian counterpart.
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Puerto Lopez beach on the busiest day of the year Monday, February 12, 2018 |
All Ages Party Together at Carnival in Ecuador
Other holidays have happy kids and beach goers but only Carnival brings out water guns and espuma. While walking around you are likely to be sprayed with one or both. Espuma is basically water soluble sudsy foam sprayed from aerosol cans. It is all in good fun and adults get into it as much as kids, often spraying one another.
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Smiles all around as kid shoots water gun while adult sprays espuma |
Some people take it to another level, chasing one another around with raw eggs. Simply throwing the egg at your target is too easy. If you choose to arm yourself with eggs, you must chase and catch up to your target person and physically smash the egg into the top of their head. Try to take some extra time to smear it around in their hair as much as possible while they are still trying to run away but laughing too hard. Hey, raw egg is good for hair, right?
There is a powder mixed with water to make a fingerpaint-like substance. People coat their palms with it then sneak up behind others and smear it all over the target’s face. When you see someone with blue, yellow, green, or other color smeared randomly on their face, you know someone got them. Fortunately, it cleans off easily with water or a wet towel.
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Someone got him with fingerpaint |
I have read stories about people in other parts of Ecuador throwing flour at each other but I have not seen that in Puerto Lopez.
Vendors and Security on the Beach
With so many people on the beach, entrepreneurs bring wheeled carts to the sand. Ice cream, coconut water and flavored shaved ice are popular choices. Military police are added to the normal police force for the festival duration to assist with security.
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Vendors and military police (in center on four wheeler) mix with people on the beach |
Music is heard throughout Carnival in Ecuador
A huge temporary stage is set up for music, which is played throughout the festival. The crowd resembles an outdoor nightclub with the number of people under the tent.
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The music stage is popular, for their content and the shade provided by their tent |
Each night, the party continues until early morning, full of music, dancing, spraying, and laughter.
Douglas Booth would love it. If you like having fun with thousands of your new closest friends, you might, too.
See more about Puerto Lopez on Emily in Ecuador here.
Which holiday brings the most visitors to your town?


8 Comments
Lisa
sounds like so much fun!!!
Emily Bloomquist
It sure is, Lisa!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – looks to be a lot of fun and at least not too frenetic a la Brazil. Family friendly = ideal … lovely photos … cheers Hilary
Emily Bloomquist
Hi Hilary, It is a fantastic opportunity to spend time with the whole family. Thanks so much!
Sherryne Evans
Great entry. Sounds like the place I want to be!!
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you Sherryne!
Arti Jain
Hi Emily.
The carnival looks like fun. Did you get any colour or eggs smeared on you?
The colour and water bit sounds a lot like Holi, an Indian festival of colour which coincides with the spring harvest.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Emily Bloomquist
Hi Arti, I did not have eggs or color smeared on me and I was appreciative. For the most part, people smear their friends and anyone they see carrying a can of espuma. Since I only had a camera, they saw that I would not be 'fighting' back.
I'll have to read about Holi. Sounds like fun! Have a wonderful weekend.