What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador, Cuenca, Ecuador
We were first attracted to Cuenca because of its UNESCO World Heritage designation and its reputation for being one of the most livable cities in Latin America.
Active, safe, affordable, with mild weather and local culture, we fell in love with this small city pretty much immediately. Extremely pleased with our choice to make Cuenca our home base for six weeks in 2016, we returned for two months in 2021.
After lots of research, speaking with native Cuencans as well as resident expats, we put together a list of what to see and do in Cuenca. This post includes:
- A self-guided walking route that covers most of the top attractions (with interactive map accessible by e-mail)
The centro historico is Cuenca’s main draw. Most of the following attractions in our list are found in this zone.
This main square is considered the heart of Cuenca’s historical town center. Named after one of Ecuador’s youngest heroes in their battle for independence, it includes a memorial, gardens, gazebo, and plenty of park benches to sit and people watch.
On one side of the square, you’ll find an older white cathedral from Spanish colonial times. It is said that many of the stones within the church’s foundation were taken from the Cañari/Incan ruins nearby - before people realized they were ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Active, safe, affordable, with mild weather and local culture, we fell in love with this small city pretty much immediately. Extremely pleased with our choice to make Cuenca our home base for six weeks in 2016, we returned for two months in 2021.
After lots of research, speaking with native Cuencans as well as resident expats, we put together a list of what to see and do in Cuenca. This post includes:
- A self-guided walking route that covers most of the top attractions (with interactive map accessible by e-mail)
The centro historico is Cuenca’s main draw. Most of the following attractions in our list are found in this zone.
This main square is considered the heart of Cuenca’s historical town center. Named after one of Ecuador’s youngest heroes in their battle for independence, it includes a memorial, gardens, gazebo, and plenty of park benches to sit and people watch.
On one side of the square, you’ll find an older white cathedral from Spanish colonial times. It is said that many of the stones within the church’s foundation were taken from the Cañari/Incan ruins nearby - before people realized they were ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador
Guide Location: Ecuador » Cuenca
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Michelle Chang
Read it on Author's Website: https://intentionaltravelers.com/what-to-see-do-cuenca-ecuador-walking-map/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Ecuador » Cuenca
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Michelle Chang
Read it on Author's Website: https://intentionaltravelers.com/what-to-see-do-cuenca-ecuador-walking-map/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Parque Abdon Calderon
- Mercado 9 de Octubre
- Mercado de Artesania de Rotary
- Aboriginal Culture Museum
- De Todos Santos
- Pumapungo
- Museo de Sombreros
- Mercado 10 de Agosto
- Parque de la Madre
- Centro Municipal Artesanal
- Parque de las Flores
- Amaru Zoo Biopark
- Antigua Cathedral
- Cuenca Cathedral
- Mirador de Turi
- Parque Extremo Turi
- Parque Paraiso
- Universidad de Cuenca
- Benigno Malo high school
- Planetario Municipal
- Museo Remigio Crespo Toral
Insider Tips for Cuenca, Ecuador
What and Where to Eat in Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador may not be considered a top gastronomic hot spot, but we were pleasantly surprised to find the food to be not only affordable but also really good!
7 Things to Do in Cuenca
According to retirement magazines, Cuenca is a top destination for expats. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the third largest city in Ecuador (after Guayacil and Quito) and has a population of less than 300,000 people. Cuenca is a stunning colonial city at a lower elevation than Quito with a year-round mild climate.
How Many Days to Spend in Cuenca, Ecuador?
Are you planning a trip to Cuenca, Ecuador, and wondering how many days you should spend there!? Dylan and I spent two weeks there in November 2024 and have acquired a list of all the best ways to experience the area! While we don’t think you really need two weeks there, we do believe you could spend anywhere from three days to one week to get a feel for the city!
An Inca Trail to Cuenca, Ecuador
A line of mist shrouded figures marched across the horizon above me towards a round stone structure that dominated the surrounding countryside. Were they ghosts of the Cañari or the Incas both of whom had lived and worshipped here?
Insider Tips Overview
