Celebrating Day of the Dead in Ecuador

Ecuador’s Día de los Difuntos is a national holiday that takes place on November 2 and coincides with the Catholic feast of All Souls’ Day. While November 1 (Día de Todos los Santos, as it’s known in Ecuador) also forms part of the country’s Day of the Dead festivities, November 2 sees the biggest celebrations.

Much like in Mexico though, you’ll see evidence of Day of the Dead, such as seasonal pastries and drinks, in the weeks leading up to this date.

Day of the Dead celebrations in Ecuador predominantly center around cemeteries, from the more traditional festivities in densely indigenous communities such as Calderón and Otavalo to the bigger, more diffuse celebrations in Quito. For outsiders, the Day of the Deceased festivities in the Ecuadorian capital may prove more welcoming than more rural ones.

Regardless of where you choose to observe Día de los Difuntos in Ecuador, expect to see flower vendors, food stalls, and lots of celebrants marking the occasion. And remember that photos are not always welcomed—ask permission first.

Graveside celebrations are especially common in Ecuador, with most families holding vigils at the tombs of their loved ones, often adorning their graves with flower arrangements, candles, and decorative figurines made from bread dough. Many families will clean the gravestones in the days and weeks leading up to the Day of the Deceased too.

Food is also a key component of Ecuador’s seasonal festivities. In the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead, you’ll see guagua de pan (a sweet bread roll decorated to resemble a baby or doll) and colada morada (a hot beverage made from blue or black corn flour, berries, and other fruits) for sale across Ecuador. Be sure to taste these seasonal specialties, which are as essential to Ecuador’s Day of the Dead as chocolate eggs are to Easter, or apples and honey are to Rosh Hashanah.