
If you measure a city on size or population alone, Cuenca ranks third in Ecuador. If you consider charm, beauty and the opinion of all Ecuadorians, however, Cuenca leaps into first place. The city is a colonial jewel, a neat, orderly city set in the picturesque rolling hills of southern Ecuador.
Like Quito, Cuenca has a centuries-old colonial center full of stunning architecture, venerable churches and well-kept parks. Unlike Quito, however, the colonial center is still the heart of the city: a place to be enjoyed by all cuencanos, day or night. As you wander around the center, notice the finely carved wooden doors--they’re quite striking. The best hotels and restaurants are to be found here, as well as ice cream parlors, cafes, shops and more. Quiteños have abandoned the colonial heart of their city, at least at night: cuencanos still cherish theirs. They are immensely proud of the fact that their colonial downtown was named a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site in 1999.
Cuenca is an ancient city, older than even the Spanish occupation. Long before this settlement became Cuenca, it was Guapondelig, a Cañari settlement. When the Incas came, they conquered the Cañari and changed its name to Tumipamba. The Spanish continued the tradition, building on the city of the vanquished Inca; they named it "Santa Ana de los Cuatro RĂos de Cuenca," or "Saint Anne of the Four Rivers of Cuenca." Four rivers do indeed flow through and around Cuenca, the most visible of these is the RĂo Tomebamba, which runs along the southern edge of the old city.
Cuenca has a lot activities for travelers. Apart from the obvious architecture and colonial churches – they say that Cuenca has 52 churches, one for every Sunday of the year – Cuenca is used as the base for trips to the breathtaking El Cajas national park as well as Ecuador’s most significant Inca ruins, Ingapirca.
Cuenca is surrounded by quaint villages, each of which is worth a visit: Gualaceo is a small town with colonial roots and a pleasant river park; Chordeleg is known for the numerous silver shops that line the main street and park; Sigsig is a bit far off, but a good place to see Panama hats being made in the traditional way; Bulcay is the last place to see the dying art of ikat weaving: There are less than 30 weavers who still practice it today; GirĂłn boasts colonial architecture and the nearby waterfall of El Chorro; Jima is known for hiking.
The hotels in Cuenca are a great value for any budget. The best hotels are the converted colonial homes in the center of town, such as the Santa LucĂa, MansiĂłn Alcázar or Hotel Crespo, but there is the elegant Oro Verde outside of town for those well-heeled guests who don’t want to be in the. There are also any number of mid-range hotels and budget options.
The restaurants in Cuenca offer a great value and memorable dining experiences. Cuencanos love food (particularly ice cream and other sweets) and there are many excellent restaurants in town. Regional fare is similar to the rest of Ecuador: a lot of pork, rice and potatoes, but it’s very well done and there are always options, even vegetarian ones. Even backpackers on a tight budget may want to splurge in Cuenca: an entrée at an elegant, converted colonial restaurant generally costs under $9.
If Cuenca is lacking in anything, it’s nightlife: Cuenca is just not a party town. Still, there are places where you can go out and have a good time. Check out Wunderbar or some of the other bars and cafés by the river.
Come for a visit and you’ll see why Ecuadorians agree that Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in their country.
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Other places nearby Cuenca: Loja, Sigsig, Gualaceo, Jima, Vilcabamba, Girón, Bulcay, Agato, Baños (Cuenca) and Chordeleg.



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The massive brick facade and sky-blue domes of Cathedral de la Inmaculada ConcepciĂłn make the building one of the most recognizable (and photographed) in Cuenca. La Inmaculada, which is dubbed the
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Cuenca’s beautifully tended Central Park, Parque Calderón, is an attractive, expansive area of flowers and trees. The park is dominated by a monument to Abdón Calderón, a young cuencano who
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El Centro Interamericano de ArtesanĂas y Artes Populares, or Museum of Popular Arts, is a small but interesting museum dedicated to the popular crafts of the Americas. The upper floors where the
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The Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, west of the center of Cuenca, on the Plaza San Sebastián, has a permanent collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures. The art work is displayed in
...
The old cathedral, (El Sagrario), which sits across the park from La Inmaculada, is well worth a visit and now houses a museum. If you wander inside, you’ll see no pews or altars, but many
...
The massive brick facade and sky-blue domes of Cathedral de la Inmaculada ConcepciĂłn make the building one of the most recognizable (and photographed) in Cuenca. La Inmaculada, which is dubbed the
...
The Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, west of the center of Cuenca, on the Plaza San Sebastián, has a permanent collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures. The art work is displayed in
...
The old cathedral, (El Sagrario), which sits across the park from La Inmaculada, is well worth a visit and now houses a museum. If you wander inside, you’ll see no pews or altars, but many
...
El Centro Interamericano de ArtesanĂas y Artes Populares, or Museum of Popular Arts, is a small but interesting museum dedicated to the popular crafts of the Americas. The upper floors where the
...
The Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, west of the center of Cuenca, on the Plaza San Sebastián, has a permanent collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures. The art work is displayed in
...
The massive brick facade and sky-blue domes of Cathedral de la Inmaculada ConcepciĂłn make the building one of the most recognizable (and photographed) in Cuenca. La Inmaculada, which is dubbed the
...
El Centro Interamericano de ArtesanĂas y Artes Populares, or Museum of Popular Arts, is a small but interesting museum dedicated to the popular crafts of the Americas. The upper floors where the
...
The Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, west of the center of Cuenca, on the Plaza San Sebastián, has a permanent collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures. The art work is displayed in
...
The old cathedral, (El Sagrario), which sits across the park from La Inmaculada, is well worth a visit and now houses a museum. If you wander inside, you’ll see no pews or altars, but many
...
A staple for many foreigners living in Cuenca, as well as a local crowd, this restaurant offers comfort food you can’t easily find elsewhere: from Pad Thai to Jamaican jerk chicken to comida
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San Sebas Café, in beautiful Parque San Sebastian, is the place to find delicious Arabica 7 coffee, American-style breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads and the \"best veggie burger in
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This neat little café just off Parque Calderón serves delicous salads, sandwiches, quiches, savory or sweet crepes, and mouth-watering desserts like creme brulée, waffles as well as a to-die-for
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One of the most tranquil restaurants in town, El Maiz is located in an old colonial building with a beautiful courtyard, and is a true place to soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Cuenca. With sunny
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Mangiare Bene Restaurante esta ubicado en la ciudad de Cuenca es considerado uno de los mejores Restaurantes de Comida Italiana en Ecuador.
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