We were returning from the TelefériQo cable car (more on that in a separate post) and our taxi dropped us off 3 blocks from our hotel. The driver apologized profusely and told us that the streets were completely blocked because of the Mardi Gras procession.

As we started to make our way back to the hotel, we ran into a massive crowd of people, dancing, laughing, and spraying each other with foam.

During Mardi Gras in Ecuador, the tradition of throwing foam (espuma) stems from a long history of festive play and ritualistic celebrations. Carnaval in Ecuador, like in many Latin American countries, blends pre-Columbian and Catholic influences. Before the arrival of the Spanish, Indigenous communities held ceremonies involving water as a symbol of purification and renewal, which later merged with European Carnival traditions brought by colonizers. Over time, these festivities evolved into citywide events where people engaged in playful battles, originally using water, flour, and even eggs to celebrate the chaotic spirit of the holiday. The modern use of foam represents a continuation of this tradition, transforming earlier practices into a more contemporary and widely embraced custom.