Leisure

Soccer and dancing are two of the most popular activities in Ecuador. The entire country rallies behind the "Tricolor" or "La Seleccion" (Ecuador's national team), and the major soccer clubs of Emelec, Barcelona, and La Liga de Quito compete fiercely. When not watching soccer, many people enjoy playing it wherever they can, whether on a grass field, a concrete court, or even in the street with friends. Tennis and volleyball are two other popular sports in Ecuador.

'Futbol' (soccer) is a religion in Ecuador. Each town has its own football team, and some cities have multiple teams. Season tickets range in price depending on how close you are to the field, but for most games, a ticket can be purchased at the gate on game day. The crowd goes crazy as the competition heats up. If Ecuador makes it to the FIFA World Cup finals, don't expect to find a taxi driver anywhere in the country during the game'they'll all be watching the game.

For over 75 years, Ecuadorians have enjoyed Ecuavoley, a relaxed version of volleyball played by teams of only three people on each side. It is not a professional sport, but it is played all over the country by both professional and amateur athletes, with family members cheering from the sidelines. There are no uniforms or organized teams, but it is just as popular as soccer because anyone can play it anywhere there is a volleyball net.