Carnival Weekend Cheat Sheet: What's Open, What's Closed, and Who to Call

It's a four-day weekend — Saturday through Tuesday — and half of Cuenca is either celebrating or getting out of town. Here's your practical guide to what's working and what's not.

Banks: Closed, But You Have Options

All bank branches are closed Saturday February 14 through Tuesday February 17. No teller service, no window transactions.

What still works:

• ATMs — operational everywhere, but expect lines. Stock up on cash Friday if you can.
• Digital banking — apps and online transfers function normally
• Non-bank correspondents — those small banking kiosks inside pharmacies, tiendas, and supermarkets (corresponsales no bancarios) remain available
• Mall bank branches — some may open from 10:00 AM if the mall is open, but don't count on it

Bottom line: Handle any in-person banking before the holiday or wait until Wednesday.

Trash & Recycling: EMAC Keeps Working

Good news: EMAC confirms trash collection and street sweeping continue throughout the holiday in both urban and rural zones.

• Bioemac recycling facility: Open Saturday only, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Llacao landfill: Closes after Saturday morning
• Regular collection routes run as scheduled

Health Services: Emergency Departments Staffed 24/7

The Ministry of Health has deployed 2,732 health professionals across Azuay, Cañar, and Morona Santiago for the holiday weekend.

• Emergency departments at hospitals and health centers operate 24 hours
• General outpatient clinics will be closed — if it's not an emergency, wait until Wednesday
• ECU 911 for all emergencies

Tranvía: Running on Holiday Schedule

Days	Hours	Frequency
Feb 14-16 (Sat-Mon)	5:50 AM – 10:00 PM	Every 12 minutes
Feb 17 (Tue)	5:50 AM – 9:00 PM	Every 15 minutes

Card personalization is available only at El Arenal and Terminal Terrestre:

• Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
• Mon-Tue: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

All other card service points (ETAPA, airport, 9 de Octubre) are closed until Wednesday February 18.

New: Three late-night departures have been added on the Parque Industrial–Avenida México route: 10:10 PM, 10:19 PM, and 10:34 PM.

Driving: CTE Won't Fine Expired Licenses This Weekend

If your driver's license renewal has been stuck in ANT limbo since the "Operación Jaque" corruption crackdown — you're not alone, and there's temporary relief.

The CTE (Comisión de Tránsito del Ecuador) announced that during Carnival checkpoints, officers will verify that you have your license and registration documents but will not issue fines for expired licenses. They're acknowledging the ongoing technical problems at ANT that have stalled renewals across the country.

Still carry your documents. They'll check. They just won't penalize the expiration date.

Civil Registry: Minimal Service

The Cuenca Civil Registry office is open during the holiday only for death registrations — 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All other services (cédula renewals, birth certificates, marriage certificates) resume Wednesday.

Road Closures & Traffic

Expect disruptions around:

• Calle Bolívar (parade route this morning, may still have restrictions)
• Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar area (tonight's Nicky Jam concert)
• Plaza de San Francisco (mote pata event)
• General residential areas where water fights are active

Weather

INAMHI has an active warning through February 15. Expect heavy afternoon and nighttime rain with thunderstorms. Carry rain gear to outdoor events and avoid low-lying areas near rivers and quebradas after sustained rainfall.

Emergency Contacts

• ECU 911 — all emergencies
• CENTROSUR (electricity): Dial 136 or WhatsApp 0961203354
• ETAPA (water): 136
• EMOV (traffic): 140

Sources: El Mercurio, Primicias, INAMHI