Aaron’s Cuenca Guidebook
Food scene
Bistro Yaku – next block over –
Enter the hostel Yakumama and go to the back of the building
Closed on Monday
Luis Cordero 5-66 y Honorato Vásquez
Pepo speaks English
Bistro Yaku
5-66 y Calle Luis CorderoBistro Yaku – next block over –
Enter the hostel Yakumama and go to the back of the building
Closed on Monday
Luis Cordero 5-66 y Honorato Vásquez
Pepo speaks English
Kolo Restaurant and Bakery – next block over –
Enter Hotel Vieja Mansión and walk upstairs
Closed Tuesday
Luis Cordero 5-65 y Honorato Vásquez
Frank and staff speak English
Kolo Restaurant and Bakery
5-65 e Honorato VasquezKolo Restaurant and Bakery – next block over –
Enter Hotel Vieja Mansión and walk upstairs
Closed Tuesday
Luis Cordero 5-65 y Honorato Vásquez
Frank and staff speak English
Le Petit Jardin
On the outskirts of town to the west. Use their website for directions; otherwise, you will not find it, but I guarantee a great meal.
French-inspired cuisine
Only open on Saturday and Sunday
Calle de las Brevas
Giovanni speaks English
Le Petit Jardin
San Miguel de PutushiLe Petit Jardin
On the outskirts of town to the west. Use their website for directions; otherwise, you will not find it, but I guarantee a great meal.
French-inspired cuisine
Only open on Saturday and Sunday
Calle de las Brevas
Giovanni speaks English
La Guarida
22.23 Calle Mariscal LamarLa Guarida
Calle Mariscal Lamar y Luis Pauta
Staff speak English
Capitan
Several blocks away – very small – make a reservation
Seafood based cuisine
Closed Wednesday
Tomás Ordóñez 6-76 y Presidente Córdova
El capitan
6-76 y Tomás OrdóñezCapitan
Several blocks away – very small – make a reservation
Seafood based cuisine
Closed Wednesday
Tomás Ordóñez 6-76 y Presidente Córdova
Grocery, Mercados, Tiendas
Located a couple of blocks west on Calle Larga. Calle Larga 11-47. Of the mercados in Cuenca, this is closest. The mercados have fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, etc.
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Mercado 10 de Agosto
1147 Calle LargaLocated a couple of blocks west on Calle Larga. Calle Larga 11-47. Of the mercados in Cuenca, this is closest. The mercados have fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, etc.
Located on Alfonso Cordero Palacios 2-41 on the other side of Parque de la Madre, near the McDonalds. This is similar to an American supermarket. You’ll need to take a copy of your passport if you don’t have a SuperMaxi card (tarjeta). We take our backpacks and walk there and back. If buying large quantities consider taking a taxi back. Taxis are located out front of SuperMaxi.
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Supermaxi El Vergel
PALACIOSLocated on Alfonso Cordero Palacios 2-41 on the other side of Parque de la Madre, near the McDonalds. This is similar to an American supermarket. You’ll need to take a copy of your passport if you don’t have a SuperMaxi card (tarjeta). We take our backpacks and walk there and back. If buying large quantities consider taking a taxi back. Taxis are located out front of SuperMaxi.
Worth the trip if you are in Cuenca for any length of time and not just here for a day or two. Located just west of Avenida de las Americas and Avenida Remigio Crespo Toral.
Keep your valuables secure!!
CUENCA FERIA LIBRE
Worth the trip if you are in Cuenca for any length of time and not just here for a day or two. Located just west of Avenida de las Americas and Avenida Remigio Crespo Toral.
Keep your valuables secure!!
Located at Tarqui y Presidente Córdova. There are several Corals around Cuenca. This one is a few blocks away. For home goods, food, etc. Think Wal-Mart.
Coral Hipermercados | Calle Tarqui
792-707 TarquiLocated at Tarqui y Presidente Córdova. There are several Corals around Cuenca. This one is a few blocks away. For home goods, food, etc. Think Wal-Mart.
Pharmacy
There are many pharmacies close to the apartment. Walk up Calle Larga toward the 10 de agosto mercado and there is a Cruz Azul on the right-side corner before reaching the mercado.
Cruz Azul
10-78 Calle LargaThere are many pharmacies close to the apartment. Walk up Calle Larga toward the 10 de agosto mercado and there is a Cruz Azul on the right-side corner before reaching the mercado.
Medical
Consultorios Médicos Santa Ines
Agustín Cueva VallejoOne of the nicer hospitals in Cuenca.
Mount Sinai Hospital
6-140 Miguel Cordero DávilaOne of the nicer hospitals in Cuenca.
Sightseeing
Incan ruin museum and grounds are within a close distance to the apartment. The entrance is free.
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Pumapungo Museo
182 Calle LargaIncan ruin museum and grounds are within a close distance to the apartment. The entrance is free.
City center park w/ dining and outdoor activities within a few blocks of the apartment.
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Plaza Abdon Calderon
Mariscal SucreCity center park w/ dining and outdoor activities within a few blocks of the apartment.
Flower Market
Miguel VélezFlower market between plaza San Francisco and Park Calderon.
Plaza within a couple of blocks of the apartment
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Plaza de San Francisco
Padre AguirrePlaza within a couple of blocks of the apartment
City center Cathedral at Park Calderon is located within a couple of blocks of the apartment.
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Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Mariscal SucreCity center Cathedral at Park Calderon is located within a couple of blocks of the apartment.
Tomebamba river is located directly south of the apartment.
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Rio Tomebamba
Tomebamba river is located directly south of the apartment.
Multi-purpose park within a few blocks of the apartment. There is a running track, workout equipment, jungle gyms for children, and other activities.
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Madre Park
Avenida 12 de AbrilMulti-purpose park within a few blocks of the apartment. There is a running track, workout equipment, jungle gyms for children, and other activities.
Turi offers spectacular views of Cuenca. This is walkable, but a taxi is recommended.
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Avenida Mirador de Turi
Avenida Mirador de TuriTuri offers spectacular views of Cuenca. This is walkable, but a taxi is recommended.
Råd om din stad
Ta sig runt
Transportation, Private Tours, General Help:
Orlando Siguenza (speaks English) for transportation or tours. Please contact me via the Airbnb platform for contact information.
Javier Carmona (speaks English) for transportation. He can guide you around town for tours and provide general assistance.
Ta sig runt
Buses / Tranvia:
There are public buses all over downtown and beyond. Buses cost $.30, and run from about 8:30 am until about 8:30 pm. Many people use the Moovit web site or Moovit app to view routes and plan trips. It’s free from the app stores. The Tranvia (Tram) is completed within the past year. As we don’t live close to the Tranvia I’m not sure on the fare but believe it is the same cost as the bus. Buses and Tranvia require a card, and not the same card for both. To obtain or recharge the cards, go to the Etapa office at Tarqui 9-76, the corner of Tarqui and Gran Colombia.
Ta sig runt
Taxis:
Taxis are cheap here, a minimum of $1.50 from 7am (0700) to 7pm (1900). Then the minimum raises to $1.75 during evening hours. Always make sure the driver turns on the meter. Just give him the directions of where you want to go. If you’re returning to the apartment, say “Benigno Malo entre Calle Larga y Juan Jaramillo”, then tell the cab drive “para aqui” when you are near or at the apartment. Tips are not expected so I usually round up to the nearest $.25.
Download the AzuTaxi app. However, you will need an Ecuadorian phone number for the app to work.
Ta sig runt
Car Rental:
Cuenca Car Share is a private owner of vehicles in Cuenca that rents his vehicles out. I have used them once and it was a good service. Emilio Morocho is the proprietor. Insurance is included in the rental.
Contact Emilio directly for the best price vs. using his website.