The Miss Ecuador 2026 final gala began in the coastal city of Salinas on Saturday, with Colombian titleholder Catalina Duque attending the national beauty pageant as a special guest.
The main ceremony on the waterfront will culminate with outgoing queen Gisselle Rosales, Miss Ecuador 2025, handing over her crown to one of 20 contestants vying for the national title.
Before the main stage show, personalities and guests gathered for a red carpet entrance. Among those arriving was Melaní Silva, who holds the title of Miss Imbabura 2026-2027, alongside Duque, who was crowned Miss International 2025.
Duque explained that her duties began earlier on Saturday morning when she served on the judging panel for the interview round with the 20 candidates. She offered encouragement to the young women, inviting them to make the most of the experience during the final stretch of the competition.
Tourism and Local Culture in Salinas
Speaking about her visit, Duque praised Salinas as a key tourist destination. She noted that watching humpback whales from the viewpoint at La Chocolatera was one of her standout experiences, and she declared herself a fan of humita, the traditional regional corn dish.
Salinas is a coastal resort town located on the Santa Elena Peninsula in western Ecuador, renowned for its sandy beaches and oceanfront promenade. La Chocolatera, situated at the westernmost tip of mainland Ecuador within a naval reserve, is a celebrated cliffside lookout where visitors frequently spot migrating humpback whales. Humita is a classic South American staple made of ground fresh corn mixed with cheese and seasonings, wrapped in corn husks and steamed.
Security Measures and Pageant Organization
Organizers erected the main stage for the final gala along the Salinas boardwalk. To ensure public safety during the high-profile event, local authorities activated a contingency plan, deploying dozens of police officers throughout the area. The local Fire Department also positioned two emergency response vehicles near the boardwalk to respond to any incidents.
The Miss Ecuador pageant is the country's primary national beauty competition, selecting representatives for major international contests. Saturday marked the third consecutive year that Salinas has hosted the final selection ceremony for the national crown.
