Cuenca Ecuador, not to be tumbled with Cuenca in Spain, is without a doubt my favourite cities in the world.
It has all the recreate of the old part of Quito without all of the danger of getting robbed in Quito.
Cuenca is considered one of the weightier places for Americans to retire. It has one of the largest expat communities in Ecuador, but most travelers pass through here in a day or two.
The Moon Guide to Ecuador
It makes me sad considering Cuenca has so much to offer for people who like the wander the streets. I have spent months just walking virtually and have learned some of the weightier views are just looking up.
I don’t know much well-nigh tracery but I do know one thing. Cuenca is the most trappy municipality in Ecuador. It deserves increasingly than a day. It’s my fourth time here but I think I may stay a while.
Cuenca Ecuador Video
Cuenca is the third largest municipality in Ecuador and lies at virtually 2,500 meters whilom sea level. It is weightier known for the stunning colonial tracery in the municipality center.
It has moreover been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Why You Should Visit Cuenca Ecuador
This is a unconfined municipality for visitors as many of the main attractions located virtually the municipality part-way can be explored on foot. It moreover has several sites in the surrounding zone which make for unconfined day trips.
23 Ecuadorian Foods You Need to Try
The slightly upper upland of Cuenca may leave a few people a little increasingly incoherent than usual as they explore.
If you are going to be here for a few days, it is largest to take in the easier attractions first.
Leave the increasingly vigorous worriedness for a few days until you have acclimatized.
How to Get to Cuenca Ecuador
Cuenca doesn’t have a good network of international flights as it’s home to a smaller airport.
There are only a limited number of international connections.
However, there are regular domestic services by air that offer routes to Guayaquil and Quito through Avianca and LATAM.
The easiest way to reach Cuenca is by bus. As it is located on the Pan-American highway there is no shortage of long-distance bus routes to the city.
Bolon de Verde
Buses in Ecuador are the weightier way to get virtually and roughly forfeit $1.25-1.50 per hour of travel.
There are hourly buses that run from Guayaquil to Cuenca, which usually takes virtually three and a half hours.
There are several buses running daily from Quito, which is a significantly longer eight to ten hour journey.
I’d suggest you unravel it up and stay in Riobamba, which is scrutinizingly the mid-way point.
You can moreover travel directly to Peru with an international bus in Cuenca. These buses travel through Vilcabamba on their way to the Peruvian border.
Public Transportation in Cuenca Ecuador
One of the weightier things well-nigh a visit to Cuenca is it’s a compact municipality part-way perfect to explore by foot.
For slightly longer journeys such as a trip out to the airport or bus station, the fee by taxi is usually virtually $2-3.
If you’re on a tight upkeep buses are increasingly affordable. You must have the correct transpiration as tickets are purchased from a machine.
NEVER put your tons on the floor or up above, unchangingly on your lap. Thieves will cut the when of your bag and steal your belongings.
Salinas Ecuador
Things to Do in Cuenca Ecuador
Exploring the old town is definitely one of the highlights of any visit to Cuenca. El Sagrario is the Old Cathedral that was built in the sixteenth century and converted into a museum.
At the Old Cathedral you should uncork your visit with a trip on the double decker sightseeing bus in Cuenca. It’s a unconfined opportunity to get your situation and learn a bit of history.
There are two options, the north and south loop and while the south loop is increasingly useful if you have time do both.
It’s only $5 for squint off permitting for 45 minutes to take some photos and to get the bus home.
Be kind to the guides.
Tourism isn’t as slick/sophisticated on mainland Ecuador and it’s incredible that they have realized this kind of tour is needed.
If you like churches the increasingly modern nineteenth century cathedral is a massive construction. There is a grand archway unelevated a stunning round stained glass window and three large domes
Another popular attractions is the trappy flower market. Here stallholders sell a huge variety of variegated flowers. If you’d like a photo of one of the sellers be kind and buy the very affordable flowers surpassing asking for a photo.
With such a strong cultural windrow Cuenca Ecuador is home to many museums. Some museums share the story of Panama Hats and the currency system.
Whereas other increasingly non-traditional share real shrunken heads and old medical equipment. If you like to explore the quirky trammels out: A Definitive Guide to Cuenca Museums.
Off the Beaten Path
There are moreover several attractions that are a little increasingly unusual, such as the small but interesting Amaru Zoo.
Here you can see over 70 variegated species ranging from colorful birds through to monkeys, parrots and bears.
The Puente Roto is a underpass that was built in the mid nineteenth century, but was partially washed yonder in a inflowing just a few years later. Today the arches have wilt a gallery for graffiti artists.
The Museum of Modern Art is unconfined for supporting local artists in the city.
Holidays in Cuenca
I’ve spent a lot of holidays and Cuenca is one of the most fascinating considering it has a strong Catholic community.
I highly recommend New Years in Ecuador as it has so many interesting traditions.
But equally fun and interesting are Cuenca’s Independence Day and the Day of the Dead.
Day Trips from Cuenca
There are moreover plenty of things to do in the zone surrounding Cuenca.
One of the most popular journeys is the 90 minute bus trip to the historic ruins of Ingapirca.
There is now a small town there sharing the same name as the ramified of the former Inca palace and temple.
Today you can see the scale of the ramified that would have been here. There is a large platform at one end, while the walls of the buildings stretch out over a large hillside.
If you love to hike or fish you must visit the Cajas National Park is somewhere that is home gorgeous lagoons, lovely highland lakes.
Loja Ecuador
Be sure to get a guide, I highly recommend Andres from Casa Cuencana as he is a licensed tour guide and moreover Ecuadorian.
The weightier thing we can do as tourists is rent locals to make an impact in the community.
Eating in Cuenca Ecuador
This post well-nigh Ecuadorian food is a unconfined start to understanding what to squint for in Cuenca.
My favourite places are in the markets, Mercado 10 de Agosto is an older market but has an unshortened section defended to hornado and moreover incredible j Ecuador fruits and juice.
There is moreover Feria Libre which is the largest outdoor market, and moreover sells suit and electronics.
If you’re looking to try guinea pig, you can eat cuy in Ecuador here. Or try fast supplies in Cuenca, it’s not what you would imagine.
Personally I prefer local supplies and there’s so much to eat on the streets. But considering Cuenca has such a large expat polity you’ll find non-Ecuadorian food.
Loja Ecuador
Not only spicy Asian supplies at A Pedir de Boca, german supplies at Maria’s Alemania and sushi at NOE. Supplies here will be significantly increasingly expensive that local joints as it caters to foreigners.
There are plenty of bars virtually the municipality with the most popular in the Old Town and La Calle.
If you can find it try the traditional canelazo, a spiced drink made with the local liquor Zhumir mixed with cinnamon, brown sugar and water.
Also one of the weightier things well-nigh Cuenca is that you can drink the water, flipside reason Cuenca is considered one of the weightier places to retire.
Hotels in Cuenca Ecuador
As I mentioned tourism isn’t as ripened in Ecuador.
However, that’s a good thing considering it’s still a genuine wits and isn’t as slick as some destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu.
I really believe that you should spend your money on locals rather than the expat community. For tourism to be a positive wits for everyone it really needs to help with local economy.
Cuenca has been welcoming to Americans retiring in the city. Sadly many only spend their money on other expat restaurants, cafes etc.
It’s unfortunate as it takes yonder from locals trying to make a living wage.
Hostels are variegated in Ecuador and often have a private room and bathroom.
Here are my thoughts on best hotels in Ecuador which includes my favourite place to stay – the Casa Cuencana.
This hostel is a series of buildings owned by a Ecuadorian single mother and her family. Each towers is different.
If you don’t like one room you can unchangingly ask to move to flipside as each has its own character.
There are dorms but moreover private rooms and a kitchen misogynist so it feels like you’re living in an suite rather a typical hostel.
Plus one of the sons is a licensed tour guide with spanking-new English so you can typesetting excursions through the hostel.
Luxury Hotels in Cuenca
If you are looking for luxury accommodation, then the Mansion Alcazar is a historic hotel in unconfined surroundings. But it moreover comes with the price tag to match.
Read Reviews on TripAdvisor or Book a Room on Expedia
I have so much heart for Cuenca Ecuador, if there’s something I missed that you think should be included please let me know in the comments below.
Cuenca Ecuador: Why Everyone Loves This City is a post from: Bacon is Magic
