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Cuenca Travel Guide

A church in Cuenca
A church in Cuenca

Cuenca is Ecuador's 3rd largest city; however, with just 450,000 people, it's far smaller than either Quito or Guayaquil and much more relaxed.

Situated in the Ecuadorian highlands (2,500 meters above sea level), Cuenca's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Well-preserved churches appear around every corner, and a monumental cathedral sits at the center of them all.

Compared to the major cities, Cuenca is relatively safe. However, petty crime still occurs as thieves target tourists.

During the day, you can use your camera or smartphone openly around the city center. However, take extra care when walking around at night.

As a rule of thumb, don't carry anything you're not ready to lose.

Navigating cloud-covered roads outside Cuenca, Ecuador
Navigating cloud-covered roads outside Cuenca

Getting There & Away

By Air

Cuenca's Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar is located in the northeast part of the city and is serviced daily by flights from Quito and Guayaquil.

A taxi ride to the city center is $2.

By Bus

Cuenca's bus station, Terminal Terrestre, is located a few minutes' walk west of the airport. Likewise, a taxi to the center costs about $2.

Direct buses to/from Guayaquil depart hourly for $8.25. The 3 1/2 hour drive includes a ride over a 4,100-meter mountain pass in El Cajas National Park.

The highway is in excellent condition, ensuring a comfortable ride, despite the twists and turns.

Buses to/from Quito depart throughout the day and night as well. The ride can take up to 10 hours.

The pueblo of Vilcabamba in the Valley of Longevity is a favorite stop for those en route to Peru.

From Cuenca, take the bus to Loja (5-6 hours), and then switch to a local bus for the 45-minute ride further south to Vilcabamba.

The Escalanita (stairs) connects central and southern Cuenca
The Escalanita (stairs) connects central and southern Cuenca

Getting Around Cuenca

By Foot

Cuenca is a city made for walking. The historic city center can be traversed in 20 – 30 minutes.

One way, cobblestone streets keep traffic from moving too quickly. Signals at crosswalks also help ensure pedestrians' safety.

By Bicycle

Cuenca's wide roads ensure plenty of room for bicyclists, though expect a bumpier ride than on asphalt.

By Taxi

Taxis are inexpensive and should be taken late at night (after 10 pm) if you need to go more than a few blocks.

Taxis are not metered. Get an estimate from a local, and negotiate before entering the cab.

Sample Costs

  • $2 – ride to/from bus station or airport.
  • $2 – ride from bars and clubs around Calle Larga (the Zona Rosa) to your hostel.

By Bus

Local buses are helpful if you want to visit the outer edges of Cuenca. The average price is about $0.25 per ride.

For more info, including bus routes, visit Cuenca Transit.

Garden at Hostal Macondo
Garden courtyard at Hostal Macondo

Where to Stay

Hostels

There are tons of hostels located throughout central Cuenca, so you should have no trouble finding a place to stay for the night.

The majority of budget options are located along Calle Larga, the city's Zona Rosa.

Hostal Macondo (Editor's Pick) – Tarqui 11-64 & Mariscal (five blocks from the Cathedral)

Hostal Macondo is more akin to a B&B than a typical youth hostel. The historic main building features a solarium, while other rooms line the perimeter of a beautiful garden, complete with hummingbirds.

Self-service breakfasts are included, with delicious fresh bread, cheese, juice, coffee, and tea—intense, hot showers.

Private rooms with shared baths run $19/night. Negotiate a lower rate if you plan to stay a week or more. Good Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Quick Recommendations

See also: Best Hostels in Cuenca

Dave working at Hostal Macondo in Cuenca
The author (Dave) working at Hostal Macondo

Short Term Housing

If you plan to spend a few weeks, or months, in the city, then you'll want to rent a room or apartment.

You can negotiate a rate with a hostel or ask around for rooms or apartments for rent.

The newspaper classifieds offer little information beyond a name and phone number to call.

Couchsurfing

Thanks to its size, and growing reputation as a popular place for expats to hang out or settle down, there's a good Couchsurfing community in Cuenca.

The blue and white domes of La Catedral
The blue and white domes of La Catedral

Things to See & Do

The best way to get to know Cuenca is to walk around the historic city center, take in the sites and sounds of local life, and photograph a variety of churches on display.

A few hours should suffice, and remember the best natural lighting occurs around sunrise and sunset.

In the early evening, you may want to walk past a few churches again to see them all lit up.

If you want to take photos, it's safer to walk with another person so that someone can keep an eye on your surroundings.

Banos

Not to be confused with the pueblo of Banos further north, this Banos is located just outside Cuenca.

It features thermal baths ($5) where Ecuadorians go to relax and unwind. Weekdays are less crowded.

La Catedral in the heart of Cuenca's historic city center
La Catedral in the heart of Cuenca's historic city center

La Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción

Construction of this monumental, Neo-Gothic cathedral began in 1880, and it took a hundred years to complete.

It's topped by three large blue and white domes, best viewed from the street behind the building.

Panama Hat Museum

Calle Larga (look for the big hat on the facade). More souvenir shop than museum, it's still worth a visit because it's free to enter and interesting to see the old machines used to make the hats.

The higher quality hats, which can cost up to $200, are in the glass cases.

Ask to try one on, and you'll easily be able to tell the difference in material and craftsmanship. The cheaper hats cost $18.

Glacially-formed lagoons dot the high-altitude landscape of El Cajas National Park.
Glacially-formed lagoons dot the high-altitude landscape of El Cajas National Park.

Outside the City

El Cajas National Park (Editor's Pick)

Glacially formed valleys and ponds make up this national park. Hiking trails range from 3,300 – 4,200 meters, with the highest mountain peaks topping off at around 4,600 meters in altitude.

Hikes can be done independently or as part of an organized tour. Apullacta Tours offers day trips with three hours worth of hiking for $40 (plus a $2 park entrance fee).

Includes roundtrip transport, a guide, and a delicious lunch at a lodge near the park.

Multi-day camping trips are also available. Bring plenty of snacks and 1 – 2 liters of water as it's a late lunch.

Chordeleg & Gualaceo

Less than an hour from Cuenca, these nearby towns are known for their artisans and pottery.

Ruins of Ingapirca

Ecuador's largest Canari-Inca archaeological complex is located two hours from Cuenca and can easily be visited independently.

Cuy (guinea pig) with potatoes
Cuy (guinea pig) with potatoes

Food & Drink

Central Cuenca offers many restaurants for a small city, from Ecuadorian favorites like cuy (guinea pig) to Pakistani curries and sushi.

Ice cream and gelato shops are seemingly available on every corner, especially around La Catedral. Many offer a tasty selection of pastries as well.

Don't forget Ecuador is known for its cacao (chocolate) production. Check out this handy chocolate guide from an expat in Cuenca.

Regional Dishes & Drinks

Canelazo – A warm, rose-colored shooter made of Zhumir (local Aguardiente), cinnamon, lemon, sugar, and water. You can order by the shot, or for groups, by the half or full pitcher.

Cuy (Guinea Pig) – Cuenca is known for cuy, and it's the best place in the country to try this unique dish.

Locro de Papas – Rich, creamy potato soup with avocado, and optionally, a chunk of cheese too.

Trucha (Trout) – Fried trout is a favorite dish, and while native to the surrounding rivers, the one on your plate was probably farm-raised.

Raymipampa restaurant
Raymipampa restaurant

Restaurants

Cafe Austria – Benigno Malo 5 – 95 & Juan Jaramillo. Popular expat hangout with a typical cafe menu of sandwiches and some higher-priced traditional Austrian dishes. Wi-Fi is available.

Cafe Eucalyptus – Gran Colombia 9 – 41. Wonderfully restored, expat-owned, two-floor UNESCO-listed building featuring a working fireplace.

This bar and restaurant ooze old-world charm, and the menu offers a variety of cuisines, most of which are well done.

Note: this restaurant attracts an older, more mature crowd, so skip the weekly Ladies Night on Wednesdays. Wi-Fi is available.

Di Bacco Cocina Bar Vino – Tarqui 9-61, in front of Gran Colombia & Bolivar. Excellent wines, Italian food, and atmosphere.

Guajibamba Cuyes (Editor's Pick) – Luis Cordero 12 – 32 & Gaspaangurima. The best restaurant in Cuenca to sample cuy. This restaurant includes several private dining rooms, as well as two large open seating areas.

The walls of the main room are covered in graffiti and signatures of tourists. Bring a pen and ask your waitress if you can write on the wall too. A whole cuy costs $19 and is enough to feed 2 – 3 people.

La Compania Microcerveceria – Borrero 5 – 97. Enjoy locally brewed beers in the middle of the Zona Rosa.

La Esquina – Corner of Calle Larga & Hermano Miguel. Small Argentinean restaurant (5-6 tables) with good food in a very convenient location. Features an open kitchen.

Monday Blue – Calle Larga. A variety of budget-friendly dishes, from shawarma to burritos. Fun interior decor; however, the menu is hard to read, as if it was designed by an enthusiastic video game player on an acid trip.

Raymipampa (Editor's Pick) – Benigno Malo 8 – 59 (adjacent La Catedral). Raymipampa offers various classic Ecuadorian dishes, from fried trucha (trout) to llapingachos (fried potatoes). Busy, but typically good service during the 12 – 2 pm lunch rush.

Chicken with macadamia curry at Tiesto's
Chicken with macadamia curry at Tiesto's

Sakura Sushi (Editor's Pick) – 2451 Paseo 3 de Noviembre & the Escalinata (facing Tomebamba River). Fresh, well-presented sushi at Western prices ($1.50 – $2.50 per nigiri, avg $8.50 per roll).

Sakura offers a welcome respite from typical Ecuadorian cuisine. A small patio provides patrons al fresco dining with a river view, while a warmer indoor dining room is available for cooler nights.

Taj Mahal – Corner of Calle Larga & Benigno Malo. Cavernous Indian/Pakistani restaurant serving up classic curries, though they, unfortunately, use local white rice instead of tastier Basmati.

Hookahs are available for smoking flavored tobacco (shisha), a popular activity for the local kids after school.

Tiesto's Restaurante (Editor's Pick) – Juan Jaramillo 7 – 34 & Borrero. One of the best restaurants in Cuenca. Chef and owner Juan Carlos Solano is the kind of guy who will take time out of the kitchen to visit his diners.

Half the menu is devoted to family-style dishes which serve a minimum of two people. However, there are enough options for solo diners, as well as vegetarians. The ambiance and service are excellent.

Recommended dish: Pollo con Curry de Macadamia (chicken with macadamia curry). It's divine and a bargain at just $11.50.

Wunderbar Cafe – Hermano Miguel & Calle Larga (midway down the Escalinata). This café and bar offer a wide choice of drinks in a warm atmosphere. However, the restaurant menu is small.

Salsa dancing at Zoe on a Saturday night
Salsa dancing at Zoe on a Saturday night

Nightlife

Cuenca offers a lot of nightlife options, from cozy hole-in-the-wall bars to large, modern discotecas.

And most are within a convenient five to 10-minute walk from the city center (La Catedral).

Due to a recently passed law, bars and clubs stop serving alcohol and close down by 2:30 am.

Bars & Clubs

Cafe Habana – Calle Larga, near the Escalinata. Centrally located salsa club.

Cafe Verde, Pinton y Maduro (Editor's Pick) – Borrero & Honorato Vazquez. The best bar for dancing on a Thursday night. Cozy, candlelit atmosphere and great crossover music (salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton). Live bands on the weekends ($5 cover).

Coffee Tree (Editor's Pick) – Corner of Calle Larga & Borrero. Part of a larger Ecuadorian chain of cafes, the new Coffee Tree location in Cuenca is situated in the heart of the city's Zona Rosa.

Outdoor seating (with heaters) offers excellent people-watching opportunities both day and night. On the weekends, it's a great place to hang out.

Nightly two for one happy hour specials and free Wi-Fi available. This café is on par with Starbucks and Juan Valdez.

La Mesa Salsateca – Gran Colombia 3 – 36 (between Vargas Machuca & Tomas Ordonez). Salsa bar popular with expats and locals alike. The best option for going out dancing on a Wednesday night.

Nite Discoteca – located a 10-minute walk from Calle Larga, across the Tomebamba River. Trendy crossover club on the 3rd floor of a mall.  

It attracts a mostly teenage crowd, with the girls dressed in their best miniskirts and four-inch heels (think high school dance).

Seating is reserved on the weekends. It begins to get crowded by 11 pm, so arrive early to avoid the line.

As with many clubs, you'll get a plastic debit card which will accrue your charges for the night. Friday nights have a $10 cover for guys, $5 cover for girls. Beers start at $4.

Zoe (Editor's Pick) – Borrero & Sucre. Two-floor bar and restaurant that offers a fun salsa night on Saturdays. A great mix of Ecuadorian and expat dancers. $3 cover includes one drink.

Velvet Discoteca – in a separate, white building adjacent to Nite Discoteca, Velvet attracts a similarly young teenage crowd.

Last Updated on September 25, 2021 by Dave Lee

Peter Meyer

Monday 21st of May 2018

The restaurant info is a bit out of date, which is not surprising since they come and go frequently. Excellent additions: Namaste India, fabulous south Indian cuisine Calle Larga y Benigo Malo (the staff are from Kerala) and Ali's Kitchen, great Lebanese, Mariscal Lamar y Tarqui.

(Avoid the indian mentioned in the article, unless you want to feel unwell...)

Christopher King

Sunday 27th of March 2016

Great information! However, I noticed that there is still a link to the dead site cuencatransit.com. I've tried to fill the gap left by the loss of it and the fact the city of Cuenca has no bus routes published with my personal bus mapping project which has turned into an atlas of 28 routes and a website.

Mike H

Thursday 22nd of March 2018

The app moovit has all the bus routes, it's usage is sanctioned by the city

Andrea McLaren-Williams

Saturday 1st of April 2017

I would love to have that info as I've been looking for a few months without success.

Debby Gala

Wednesday 30th of September 2015

Cuenca has the only jazz club in Ecuador that has Live music 4 nights a week. The Jazz Society Café is the performance venue of The Jazz Society of Ecuador in Cuenca, Ecuador. The Café is located on the 2nd floor (upstairs) of La Viña Italian Restaurant, 5-101 Luis Cordero y Juan Jaramillo. La Viña provides the food & beverages using the same menu and prices as downstairs, and has an excellent reputation for serving authentic Italian cuisine and pizza, as the owner and chef are from Italy.

Days & Hours: The Café is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 6:30pm to 10pm. The music begins at 7:30pm.

Reservations and our Schedule of Events: Email [email protected] for reservations and to receive our weekly schedule of events.

093-934-2714 (English) 099-588-8796 (Español)