Cumbayá has none of the cultural attractions of Quito, but it is a good place to kick around and relax if you are worn out from the rigors of more sophisticated pursuits. The area around the old town plaza is certainly worth a stroll on the weekend. Literally dozens of eateries, including a good sushi bar, and shops have been established within the last three years.
A five minute walk from the plaza towards “los reservorios” (go up Francisco de Orellana and then right on Chimborazo) will bring you to another appealing collection of stores anchored by Corfu, a café that serves up some of the best ice cream and pastries in all of Ecuador.
For those that want to do more than peruse shops and sip cappuccinos, there is a brand new bicycle and hiking path that stretches 20 kilometers along old railroad tracks from Cumbayá to the Village of Puembo. The official name of the trail is “La ruta ecológica metropolitana ‘Chaquiñán’”, and it begins on Avenida Francisco de Orellana approximately 200 meters up the road from the old town plaza.