Cuenca City Tour
Neighborhoods
Cuenca's historic center is quaint and picturesque. Nestled high in the Andean region, it is not-quite-metropolis and not quite small-town vibe is in a class all its own. On the street, you'll come across an eclectic mix of locals getting their shopping and business done, indigenous fruit vendors on the street corners, flower, food and dry goods markets, travelers, and vagabonds. All set between charming natural riverside paths, historic buildings, churches, cathedrals, fresh markets, and a string of plazas.
There are several areas in the Historic Center with high concentration of restaurants, such as along Calle Larga and in and around Plaza San Sebastian and Parque Calderon, the central plaza.
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Centro histórico de Cuenca
Cuenca's historic center is quaint and picturesque. Nestled high in the Andean region, it is not-quite-metropolis and not quite small-town vibe is in a class all its own. On the street, you'll come across an eclectic mix of locals getting their shopping and business done, indigenous fruit vendors on the street corners, flower, food and dry goods markets, travelers, and vagabonds. All set between charming natural riverside paths, historic buildings, churches, cathedrals, fresh markets, and a string of plazas.
There are several areas in the Historic Center with high concentration of restaurants, such as along Calle Larga and in and around Plaza San Sebastian and Parque Calderon, the central plaza.
Our quiet residential neighborhood is situated along a hillside one block north of the historic center. It has several small parks with stunning panoramic views over the city.
Bellavista
Our quiet residential neighborhood is situated along a hillside one block north of the historic center. It has several small parks with stunning panoramic views over the city.
Nature
Unique national park with over 200 lakes, ponds, and lagoons scattered throughout an alien mountain landscape. Several spots have maintained trails. Heavy fog settles in the high elevations in the afternoons means a morning visit is usually best.
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Cajas nationalpark
Unique national park with over 200 lakes, ponds, and lagoons scattered throughout an alien mountain landscape. Several spots have maintained trails. Heavy fog settles in the high elevations in the afternoons means a morning visit is usually best.
Situated at the confluence of two of Cuencas rivers, this park is part naturist, part Japanese garden, part leisure and sport, and features nature walks, eucalyptus forest, swinging bridges, ponds and water features, two frog sanctuaries, workout equipment and several wide open spaces.
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El Paraíso Park
Situated at the confluence of two of Cuencas rivers, this park is part naturist, part Japanese garden, part leisure and sport, and features nature walks, eucalyptus forest, swinging bridges, ponds and water features, two frog sanctuaries, workout equipment and several wide open spaces.
Charming open-air zoo featuring a range of rescued exotic and endemic species amid rugged, mountainside terrain.
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Amaru Bioparque Zoo
km 10 5 AlturaCharming open-air zoo featuring a range of rescued exotic and endemic species amid rugged, mountainside terrain.
Near the small town of Giron, there are two waterfalls, one fairly close to the visitor center and the second requires a medium-length hike. A bit further up into the mountains and off the beaten path and you can find Laguna Busa.
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Giron Waterfalls
Near the small town of Giron, there are two waterfalls, one fairly close to the visitor center and the second requires a medium-length hike. A bit further up into the mountains and off the beaten path and you can find Laguna Busa.
Panoramic views of cuenca
Get oriented or catch an amazing Cuenca sunset. Cuenca is bordered by hills and mountains on all sides, and several view points throughout the city.
A short walk from the house, the "liberty" park was recently repurposed when the old prison facility for men was shut down and relocated. There is an elevator-accessible viewing station with amazing 360° views over the city and surrounding mountains.
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Parque la Libertad
A short walk from the house, the "liberty" park was recently repurposed when the old prison facility for men was shut down and relocated. There is an elevator-accessible viewing station with amazing 360° views over the city and surrounding mountains.
This viewpoint has the best view of Cuenca, framed with Cajas National Park and the Andean peaks behind the city. From here you can also pick out 3 of Cuenca's 4 rivers. (Tip: look for lines of large eucalyptus trees along the banks).
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Turi viewpoint way
Avenida Mirador de TuriThis viewpoint has the best view of Cuenca, framed with Cajas National Park and the Andean peaks behind the city. From here you can also pick out 3 of Cuenca's 4 rivers. (Tip: look for lines of large eucalyptus trees along the banks).
This is a relatively new hilltop park with windy and photogenic views on the city. From our house in Bellavista it's $1.50 to $2.00 by taxi or an urban uphill hike of a few hours round trip. Dangerous after dark or early morning.
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Luz Park
This is a relatively new hilltop park with windy and photogenic views on the city. From our house in Bellavista it's $1.50 to $2.00 by taxi or an urban uphill hike of a few hours round trip. Dangerous after dark or early morning.
Historic center
Find out first hand why Cuenca was named a World Heritage site in 1999 by UNESCO.
You cannot visit Cuenca without a stroll down the Paseo 3 de Noviembre next to the Tomebamba river. Several points of interest include Las Escalinatas and Puente Roto, Parque Pumapungo, and Parque Paraiso. You can stop almost anywhere to sit in the grass along the banks of the river and enjoy a picnic or a siesta. Watch out for passing bicycles on the foot path.
Paseo Río Tomebamba
Paseo Río TomebambaYou cannot visit Cuenca without a stroll down the Paseo 3 de Noviembre next to the Tomebamba river. Several points of interest include Las Escalinatas and Puente Roto, Parque Pumapungo, and Parque Paraiso. You can stop almost anywhere to sit in the grass along the banks of the river and enjoy a picnic or a siesta. Watch out for passing bicycles on the foot path.
There is lots explore near Cuenca's main square, including a trip up the spiral staircase to the iconic blue domes of the New Cathedral, and short stroll down Calle Santa Ana, then to the flower market & San Francisco plaza. The city center has a higher concentration of restaurants, galleries and shops.
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Plaza Abdon Calderon
Mariscal SucreThere is lots explore near Cuenca's main square, including a trip up the spiral staircase to the iconic blue domes of the New Cathedral, and short stroll down Calle Santa Ana, then to the flower market & San Francisco plaza. The city center has a higher concentration of restaurants, galleries and shops.
After a major renovation that started in 1999 the Old Cathedral serves today as a museum for religious art and a venue for concerts and cultural events.
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Old Cathedral of Cuenca
Calle Luis CorderoAfter a major renovation that started in 1999 the Old Cathedral serves today as a museum for religious art and a venue for concerts and cultural events.
Artesans
Chordeleg and Gualaceo are two small provincial villages 30 to 45 minutes outside Cuenca worth a visit for their exquisite artisans handcrafts, jewelry, and warmer climate than Cuenca.
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Chordeleg
Chordeleg and Gualaceo are two small provincial villages 30 to 45 minutes outside Cuenca worth a visit for their exquisite artisans handcrafts, jewelry, and warmer climate than Cuenca.
The Casa de la Mujer in Plaza San Francisco is an historic housing complex turned into a well organized shopping mall of proficient artisan stores. You can find a variety of unique hand-crafted goods of all price ranges.
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Centro de comercializacion Artesanal
1029 Mariscal SucreThe Casa de la Mujer in Plaza San Francisco is an historic housing complex turned into a well organized shopping mall of proficient artisan stores. You can find a variety of unique hand-crafted goods of all price ranges.
Be proud to take home high-quality handicrafts sold at fair prices. Their website www.fairtrade.ec contains details about their artisan network in Spanish and German language.
MAKI FairTrade
14-96 Y Mariscal SucreBe proud to take home high-quality handicrafts sold at fair prices. Their website www.fairtrade.ec contains details about their artisan network in Spanish and German language.
Located just a few blocks away from our house, the Casa del Sombrero museum has galleries and sales of the world famous Ecuadorian toquilla-straw hats, made popular during the era of construction of the Panama canal. There are many stores in Cuenca profiteering from the sale of these hats but this is one location where the artisans from the surrounding countryside come and exhibit and sell their work direct to consumer.
Economuseo Municipal Casa del Sombrero
Rafael María ArizagaLocated just a few blocks away from our house, the Casa del Sombrero museum has galleries and sales of the world famous Ecuadorian toquilla-straw hats, made popular during the era of construction of the Panama canal. There are many stores in Cuenca profiteering from the sale of these hats but this is one location where the artisans from the surrounding countryside come and exhibit and sell their work direct to consumer.
Sightseeing
An hour and a half drive from Cuenca, you can find Ecuador's largest Incan ruins and archaeological complex include the Temple of the Sun, a large oval construction once used for ritual and astronomical purposes.
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Ingapirca Arkeologiska Komplex
An hour and a half drive from Cuenca, you can find Ecuador's largest Incan ruins and archaeological complex include the Temple of the Sun, a large oval construction once used for ritual and astronomical purposes.