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Ecuador🇪🇨 | festivalsFestival de la Fruta y de las FloresFruit and flower floats, mora samples, Ambato markets, harvest blessing | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in de la Fruta y de las Flores
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

A woman on a parade-route sidewalk presses a ripe mora into my palm, and the juice runs down my wrist before I’ve even said thanks. I expected pageantry behind barriers. Instead the floats are built from real peaches, apples, lilies and roses, and the crowd eats and sniffs its way along the route. Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores sits in Ambato, in the central highlands of Ecuador, south of Quito. It runs around Carnival, with parades, flower and fruit displays, concerts and street parties. Crowds are mostly Ecuadorian families and students, so it feels local and friendly. Book beds early and carry small bills. Spend your first day wandering Ambato’s central markets at breakfast, then claim a curb spot well ahead of the afternoon procession.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in EcuadorReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores gives you Carnival without the Rio-scale crowds or prices. Ambato was rebuilt after the 1949 earthquake, and the festival grew out of that recovery, so locals treat it as their own story rather than a show for visitors. That history gives the parades a warmth you rarely get at tourist-driven events. Backpackers also come for the setting. Tungurahua province is orchard country, and the float builders work with produce and blooms grown in the surrounding valleys, so you can taste what you photograph. The Desfile de la Confraternidad is the big draw, with troupes from across the region, and you can stand a few feet from the dancers with no ticket. Ambato also sits on the main highland route between Quito, Baños and Riobamba, so you can fold a festival weekend … read more 👉
Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores gives you Carnival without the Rio-scale crowds or prices. Ambato was rebuilt after the 1949 earthquake, and the festival grew out of that recovery, so locals treat it as their own story rather than a show for visitors. That history gives the parades a warmth you rarely get at tourist-driven events. Backpackers also come for the setting. Tungurahua province is orchard country, and the float builders work with produce and blooms grown in the surrounding valleys, so you can taste what you photograph. The Desfile de la Confraternidad is the big draw, with troupes from across the region, and you can stand a few feet from the dancers with no ticket. Ambato also sits on the main highland route between Quito, Baños and Riobamba, so you can fold a festival weekend into a longer loop through the Andes without any detour.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Desfile de la Confraternidad: The festival’s headline parade, with floats dressed in fruit and flowers, dance troupes and marching bands moving through central Ambato. It’s loud and generous, and spectators often get handed fruit.
  2. Bendición de las frutas y flores: A blessing of the harvest that anchors the festival’s Catholic roots. It’s quieter than the parades, and you’ll see growers bring their best produce and blooms.
  3. Exposiciones de frutas y flores: Displays of local produce and cut flowers, including varieties grown in Tungurahua’s valleys. Look for the odd highland fruits you rarely see abroad, such as tree tomato and mora (Andean blackberry).
  4. Mercado Central: Ambato’s main market becomes a tasting counter during festival days. Stalls sell fruit juices, fresh cheese and hot snacks. It’s
… read more 👉
  1. Desfile de la Confraternidad: The festival’s headline parade, with floats dressed in fruit and flowers, dance troupes and marching bands moving through central Ambato. It’s loud and generous, and spectators often get handed fruit.
  2. Bendición de las frutas y flores: A blessing of the harvest that anchors the festival’s Catholic roots. It’s quieter than the parades, and you’ll see growers bring their best produce and blooms.
  3. Exposiciones de frutas y flores: Displays of local produce and cut flowers, including varieties grown in Tungurahua’s valleys. Look for the odd highland fruits you rarely see abroad, such as tree tomato and mora (Andean blackberry).
  4. Mercado Central: Ambato’s main market becomes a tasting counter during festival days. Stalls sell fruit juices, fresh cheese and hot snacks. It’s the cheapest and most honest way to eat in town.
  5. Parque Montalvo: A calm green square beside the memorial to Juan Montalvo, the essayist born in Ambato. It’s a good place to rest between parades and watch families gather.
Most visitors never leave the parade route for the Quinta de Juan León Mera in Atocha, a historic house with gardens that suits the flower theme of the festival.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores?

The Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores is held in Ambato, in Ecuador’s Tungurahua province, over the Carnival weekend in February or early March, and the date moves each year with Easter. It runs about three to four days, with events spread across the city center, Parque Juan Montalvo and the Av. Cevallos corridor.
  • Best day: The Saturday or Sunday parade, the Desfile de la Confraternidad, is the main event, so go then. Friday evening is calmer for the opening acts and seeing floats being finished.
  • Weather: Ambato sits at about 2,500 m (8,200 ft). Expect 8 to 22°C (46 to 72°F) with afternoon showers likely. Bring a light rain jacket, a warm layer for the evening and sunscreen, since the sun is strong at altitude.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed four to six weeks ahead. Rates often rise 30 to 60 percent
… read more 👉
The Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores is held in Ambato, in Ecuador’s Tungurahua province, over the Carnival weekend in February or early March, and the date moves each year with Easter. It runs about three to four days, with events spread across the city center, Parque Juan Montalvo and the Av. Cevallos corridor.
  • Best day: The Saturday or Sunday parade, the Desfile de la Confraternidad, is the main event, so go then. Friday evening is calmer for the opening acts and seeing floats being finished.
  • Weather: Ambato sits at about 2,500 m (8,200 ft). Expect 8 to 22°C (46 to 72°F) with afternoon showers likely. Bring a light rain jacket, a warm layer for the evening and sunscreen, since the sun is strong at altitude.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed four to six weeks ahead. Rates often rise 30 to 60 percent on the parade weekend.
  • Crowds: Arrive Friday and leave Monday morning. The Panamericana and the Quito bus corridor clog on Sunday evening.
Plan to be on the parade route by mid-morning to claim a curb spot.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Stay in Ambato’s central district around Parque Montalvo and the Av. Cevallos, because the main parade route, the markets and the bus links are all within a 10 to 15 minute walk. This is the area where budget travelers cluster, the streets stay lit and busy in the evening, and you can walk back after dark without much worry during the festival, though keep your phone and bag close in the crowds.
The zone near the Mercado Central and the Plaza Cevallos is the cheapest, with simple guesthouses and basic rooms, roughly US$10 to 20 for a private room and often less for a dorm-style bed. It is noisy … read more 👉
Stay in Ambato’s central district around Parque Montalvo and the Av. Cevallos, because the main parade route, the markets and the bus links are all within a 10 to 15 minute walk. This is the area where budget travelers cluster, the streets stay lit and busy in the evening, and you can walk back after dark without much worry during the festival, though keep your phone and bag close in the crowds.
The zone near the Mercado Central and the Plaza Cevallos is the cheapest, with simple guesthouses and basic rooms, roughly US$10 to 20 for a private room and often less for a dorm-style bed. It is noisy on parade nights, so pack earplugs. The area north toward Ficoa and Miraflores is quieter and greener, with a few family-run lodgings, and a short taxi ride of US$2 to 3 gets you into the center.
If Ambato fills up, Baños is about 45 minutes away by bus and has far more hostels, a sociable travelers’ scene and hot springs. It makes a good fallback for solo backpackers who want company, and buses run back to Ambato frequently during the day. Late-night returns are limited, so plan to leave the parade before dark.
Best hostels in Ecuador


Best quality hotels in Ecuador

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Expect to spend roughly US$30 to 72 a day at the Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores, about US$52 as a typical figure at high-season prices.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and most events are free. Reserved grandstand seats along the route can cost a few dollars up to about US$10.
AccommodationUS$15 to 30 (high season)Simple private rooms in central Ambato rise on the parade weekend. Off-festival rates are roughly US$10 to 20.
Local transportUS$2 to 6City buses cost about US$0.30 and taxis US$2 to 3 for short rides. Intercity buses from Quito run US$3 to 5.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 18Set lunches in the market cost US$3 to 5. Juices and street snacks are US$1 to 2 each.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 8Rain poncho, flower or fruit souvenirs, and a locker or
… read more 👉
Expect to spend roughly US$30 to 72 a day at the Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores, about US$52 as a typical figure at high-season prices.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and most events are free. Reserved grandstand seats along the route can cost a few dollars up to about US$10.
AccommodationUS$15 to 30 (high season)Simple private rooms in central Ambato rise on the parade weekend. Off-festival rates are roughly US$10 to 20.
Local transportUS$2 to 6City buses cost about US$0.30 and taxis US$2 to 3 for short rides. Intercity buses from Quito run US$3 to 5.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 18Set lunches in the market cost US$3 to 5. Juices and street snacks are US$1 to 2 each.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 8Rain poncho, flower or fruit souvenirs, and a locker or tip.
Total Daily BudgetUS$30 to 72About US$52 as a typical figure for one day with a mid-priced bed.


source: ecuador.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

The festival’s signature flavor is fruit, and Ambato’s highland orchards of blackberries (moras), apples, peaches and strawberries show up everywhere, in juices, jams and sweets. Look for fresh jugos and fruit cups sold from carts along the parade route, usually US$1 to 2.
The regional dish to hunt down is llapingachos, pan-fried potato patties stuffed with cheese and served with chorizo, fried egg and peanut sauce. Try the pan de Ambato and colada morada-style hot fruit drinks, and the local chicha and canelazo, a hot cane spirit with cinnamon that helps on cool evenings. Stalls near the Mercado Central sell hearty caldo de gallina and hornado (roast pork) for about US$3 to 5, and the market is where locals eat.
Carry small bills and coins, since nearly every stall is cash only and vendors … read more 👉
The festival’s signature flavor is fruit, and Ambato’s highland orchards of blackberries (moras), apples, peaches and strawberries show up everywhere, in juices, jams and sweets. Look for fresh jugos and fruit cups sold from carts along the parade route, usually US$1 to 2.
The regional dish to hunt down is llapingachos, pan-fried potato patties stuffed with cheese and served with chorizo, fried egg and peanut sauce. Try the pan de Ambato and colada morada-style hot fruit drinks, and the local chicha and canelazo, a hot cane spirit with cinnamon that helps on cool evenings. Stalls near the Mercado Central sell hearty caldo de gallina and hornado (roast pork) for about US$3 to 5, and the market is where locals eat.
Carry small bills and coins, since nearly every stall is cash only and vendors struggle to break US$20 notes. Lines move fast at popular grills, so join one and keep your order simple. Portions are big, so share a plate if you want to sample more. Drink bottled water, and choose juices made in front of you.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

The Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores takes place in Ambato over Carnival weekend, in February or early March, and the exact dates shift each year with Easter. It lasts about three to four days, with the main parade on the Saturday or Sunday. Ambato is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by bus south of Quito.
Attending the Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores can cost very little, since most parades and street events are free. Reserved grandstand seats are around US$5 to 10. A realistic daily budget is US$45 to 60 including a bed (US$15 to 30 on festival weekends), meals and local buses.
Most of the Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores is free and needs no ticket, as the parade is watched from the streets of Ambato. Tickets are only needed for reserved grandstand seats along the route and some evening concerts, which can be bought a few days ahead or on the spot. The bigger need is a bed, so book lodging four to six weeks before the parade weekend.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Festival de la Fruta y de las Flores is at its best in the late morning, when the flower floats are still fresh and the sun is soft on the colors. I’d go during Carnival season, reach the parade route early, and leave the evening for market snacks and music.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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