Carnival 2026 by the Numbers: $82 Million in Tourism, 1.28 Million Trips, and Cuenca Ranked 3rd in Emergencies
Chip Moreno
The Money Poured In
Ecuador's Minister of Production and Trade Luis Alberto Jaramillo released the official Carnival 2026 numbers, and the tourism sector has plenty to celebrate:
- $81.9 million in total tourism spending (Feb 14-17)
- 1.284 million domestic trips recorded
- 49.6% hotel occupancy nationwide
- 12% increase in spending compared to previous years
- 6% more trips than the prior Carnival season
That money flowed into hotels, restaurants, transportation, recreation, and local commerce across the country. The top destinations by hotel occupancy were Bolívar and Tungurahua (home to Ecuador's most traditional Carnival celebrations), followed by Santa Elena (beaches), Galápagos, and Pastaza (Amazon).
But Cuenca Had a Different Kind of Record
While the national tourism picture was rosy, Cuenca's Carnival had a rougher edge. The city ranked third nationally in emergency calls during the four-day holiday weekend, according to ECU-911 data.
The numbers are sobering: 36,423 out of 52,324 total emergencies nationwide during Carnival were related to incidents in just a handful of cities — and Cuenca was among the top three. The majority of calls were related to:
- Traffic accidents — the perennial Carnival hazard, fueled by alcohol consumption and crowded roads
- Alcohol-related incidents — fights, falls, and medical emergencies linked to heavy drinking
- Water-related injuries — the aggressive water-fighting traditions (globos, foam, and buckets) that escalate during the holiday
The Cuenca Carnival Experience
If you lived through it, you know the vibe. Cuenca's Carnival is a fascinating mix of high culture and pure chaos:
- The organized events were impressive. The municipality spent over $500,000 on official festivities including concerts, parades, the Four Rivers parade, and the massive free mote pata serving for 9,000 people in Parque Calderón.
- The bus terminal was overwhelmed. Over 58,000 departures and 36,500 arrivals passed through the Terminal Terrestre in four days — double the normal volume.
- The streets were wet. If you ventured into El Centro between Thursday and Sunday, you got hit with water balloons, foam spray, or both. That's just Carnival.
- The rains compounded things. February 14 brought heavy storms that caused flooding in San Joaquín and other low-lying areas, adding actual weather emergencies to the holiday chaos.
What the Numbers Mean for Expats
The Good News
Carnival is a genuine economic engine for Cuenca. Those tourism dollars support local restaurants, hotels, artisan markets, and transportation services. A healthy tourism economy means a healthier city — more investment in infrastructure, more jobs, more cultural programming.
The Prefectura del Azuay mobilized over 160 events, 12,000 hotel rooms, and 600+ restaurants for the Carnival Bakansote program. That kind of coordination takes real effort and it paid off.
The Concerning Part
The emergency numbers suggest that Cuenca still has a safety challenge during major holidays. Traffic accidents and alcohol-related incidents spike predictably every year, and the response is mostly reactive.
If you're planning for Carnival 2027 (which falls on March 6, by the way):
- Don't drive on Saturday night or Sunday. The roads are at their most dangerous during peak Carnival celebrations.
- Stay away from the centro after dark if you want to avoid the aggressive water fights. Daytime is festive; nighttime can get rough.
- Stock your fridge before Thursday. Many shops close or have limited hours.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof case. Seriously. The number of phones destroyed by Carnival water fights every year is staggering.
The Verdict
Carnival 2026 was a success by the metrics that matter most — economic impact, cultural vitality, and community participation. But the emergency numbers are a reminder that the celebration comes with real risks, especially around traffic and alcohol.
For the expat community, the play is simple: enjoy the culture, respect the traditions, plan ahead, and stay safe. Cuenca knows how to throw a party. Just make sure you're still standing when it's over.
Sources: Prensa Latina, El Mercurio
