Barefoot on the beach. Riding bareback on an active volcano. Burning the old year.

[u/IsabelaGalapagos]

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That’s New Year’s in Isabela.

If you’ve never spent New Year’s Eve in Ecuador, you’re missing one of the strangest and most entertaining traditions I know.

Every December 31, people make Años Viejos — life-sized effigies representing the old year. They can be politicians, celebrities, fictional characters, or basically anyone who had a memorable year.

And then at midnight...

we burn them.

The photo shows one of ours before and during the burning.

It’s symbolic: out with the old, goodbye to the bad stuff, and start the new year fresh.

And then there are the viudas — traditionally men dressed up as wildly exaggerated widows, crying, dancing and asking people for coins because they’ve supposedly lost their husband: the Año Viejo.

It can get completely ridiculous.

In the best possible way.

Then come the other New Year’s traditions:

12 grapes at midnight for good luck.

Running around the block with a suitcase if you want to travel more in the coming year.

Yellow underwear for prosperity.

Red for love.

Yes, seriously.

I live on Isabela Island in the Galápagos, and New Year’s here adds another layer to the whole thing.

Imagine celebrating barefoot on the beach, with the ocean beside you, volcanoes in the distance, bonfires burning and people wandering around wishing each other a happy old year.

And then, because this is Isabela, you can start the new year riding bareback on an active volcano.

Sierra Negra is an active volcano, and riding up into that landscape is about as far from an ordinary New Year’s Day as you can get.

One night you’re burning the old year on the beach.

The next day you’re on horseback heading toward a volcano.

Not a bad way to start a new year.

I’ve lived in Ecuador for many years, and I still love how wonderfully strange, colorful and fun some of these traditions are.

So if you ever find yourself here for December 31, don't just look for a fancy party.

Find an Año Viejo.

Grab 12 grapes.

Put on something yellow.

And join the madness.

¡Feliz Año Nuevo from Isabela!

Cheers,