As Carnival holiday festivities kicked off in Ecuador, the Chongón toll station has seen a significant increase in traffic, with over 50,000 vehicles reported to have passed through since the holiday began on February 13, 2026. The surge in travel to popular beach destinations such as Playas and Santa Elena started early on Sunday, February 16, with the flow of travelers substantially increasing from around 07:00 AM.

The Ecuadorian Traffic Commission (CTE) has deployed personnel in the area to ensure smooth transit during this peak travel period. By 10:00 AM on Sunday morning, the CTE had already recorded the departure of more than 8,000 vehicles, contributing to a total exceeding 56,000 vehicles across the holiday, which anticipates about 110,000 vehicles by its conclusion.

So far, the CTE reports that there have been no incidents during traffic checks, reflecting a well-managed holiday travel scenario. The expected numbers indicate a vibrant tourism activity during the Carnival, highlighting the popularity of beach areas among Ecuadorians during festive periods.