Ecuador's second city celebrates the day of its founding, an event that goes back to 1537 and the early days of the Conquistadores. Francisco de Orellana gets the credit for the rather scrambled initiation of this huge, buzzing, tropical metropolis and the anniversary of that day is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Street parades, dances, art exhibitions, music and cultural events take place on the day itself, as well as warm-up events during the run-up. An international beauty contest, 'Perla del Pacifico' (the Pearl of the Pacific), is central to proceedings.

Times
Various.