The colorful facades of the imposing colonial mansions and the cobblestone streets make Cuenca one of the most sought-after destinations in Ecuador. The historic center, considered a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1999, is one of the best preserved in South America and is also notable for its young and welcoming atmosphere. But there is much more to do in Cuenca: the city is in the middle of the Andes mountains, has parks, beautiful churches, museums, is one of the main producers of traditional toquilla straw hats and top-notch food. See now a guide with everything to do in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Read too: What to do in Quito: itinerary around the capital of Ecuador
Are you going to travel? Travel Insurance is now mandatory to enter Ecuador and may be required at immigration, in addition to being essential on any trip. See here how to get the best value for money (and with a discount coupon).
What to do in Cuenca, Ecuador
- Stroll through the historic center
- Discover the history of the Panama Hat at the Toquilha Straw Hat Museum (Spoilers: the hat is, in fact, originally from Ecuador)
- See the city from the top of the Mirador de Turi
- Get in touch with nature in Cajas National Park
To make the most of the city, the ideal is to stay at least three days, reserving one of them to visit Cajas National Park. The best place to stay is in the historic center, and the good news is that, like the rest of the country, prices there are among the lowest in South America. If you still have questions, be sure to check out the our guide to where to stay in Cuenca.
Find hotels in Cuenca
What to do in the Historic Center of Cuenca – walking tour
Strolling through the charming streets of the historic center is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Cuenca. But more than getting lost in the alleys and corners, the place has some notable buildings that deserve your attention. A good place to start your tour is at Abdón Calderón Park, a large and very well-treed square, in which two of the city’s main churches are located, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conceptionalso known as the New Cathedral, and the Sagrario Churchthe Catedral Vieja, which no longer functions as a temple, but as a museum of sacred art.
The New Cathedral impresses with its architecture and rich details inside. Even if you don’t enjoy religious tourism, it’s worth spending a few minutes at the temple. In addition to these, Cuenca has another 50 churches. “One for every Sunday of the year”, says the tour guide that leaves from Parque Abdón every day.
Close to the cathedrals is the Flower Square, the city’s pride for being one of the most famous open-air flower markets in the world. Also in the square is the Monastery of Carmen of the Assumption,founded in 1679 and still in operation. Be sure to buy one of the sweets or wines prepared by the nuns who reside in the Monastery or drink the water that is believed to have medicinal properties.
For those who don’t miss the opportunity to visit a local market, the August 10 (Calle Larga and General Torres) is a mandatory stop. In addition to selling regional fruits and products, this is also a good place to try typical Cuenca cuisine in the restaurants on the second floor of the building. Other noteworthy buildings are the Bolivar Clinico Palace of justiceit’s at Cuenca City Hall.
Some of the city’s main museums are also located in the Historic Center of Cuenca, such as the Central Bank Museum, o Museum of Aboriginal Cultureswhich tells the story of the original people of Ecuador, and the Palha Toquilha Museum. Take advantage of being there to walk or have a picnic at night. banks of the Tomebamba River.
Toquilha Straw Hat Museum
You know that charming Panama hat? Well, he’s actually from Ecuador. It is in the country that toquilla straw is born, a raw material that guarantees the quality, durability and flexibility essential for this piece that can cost hundreds of dollars.
We’ve already told the story of the Panama Hat here, but if you want to get to know the manufacturing process of this accessory up close and, who knows, take one home, it’s worth visiting the Toquila Straw Hat Museum (Calle Larga 10 -41 with Father Aguirre). The museum offers free guided tours and there is a pleasant cafe overlooking the river on the second floor.
Mirador de Turi
With a great view of Cuenca, Mirador Turi is also an entertainment option for local residents. The place has restaurants, a church and an adventure park for children. Prefer to visit at sunset and be sure to have a drink at the glass-walled cafe at the top. They say that, in December, the city is filled with lights and the view becomes even more stunning after dark. To get there, take a taxi from the historic center (around $5) or one of the buses that run along Avenida Solano.
Cajas National Park
Located 40 kilometers from Cuenca, Cajas National Park has 178 lakes and is in the middle of the Andean mountains. There are short trails, which can be completed in two or four hours, and more advanced trails. Entrance is free and there are buses that leave from the Cuenca Terminal and leave at the entrance to the Park at 8:30 am and 10:20 am. Bring warm clothes and wear appropriate shoes.
How to get to Cuenca
There are highway buses to Cuenca leaving from Quito and Guayaquil. From the capital, the journey takes around 9 hours and the roads are safe. From Guayaquil, the journey is a little shorter, around 5 hours. The advantage of the bus is the price. I paid 12.50 for the journey between Quito and Cuenca. There is also the possibility of traveling by plane. The flight from Quito only takes 50 minutes, but prices are considerably higher (around $100).
