2026 Cuenca Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

Cuenca is a great city to spend some time in or even to live in. The center of Cuenca has a clean old town, and the streets are full of beautiful views. From Cuenca, you can visit the Inca excavations at Ingapirca, take several hikes in the national park, or simply go fishing. and don't forget to go horseback riding at “centro ecuestre bellavista”. The air in Cuenca is relatively dry, and the humidity in your apartment or house is close to the ideal 50%. The city is cool at night and warm during the day.

#holidayitinerary El Cajas National Park in Azuay Ecuador is a breathtaking natural wonder that offers dramatic landscapes and pure tranquility. Located just outside the city of Cuenca, the park is known for its high altitude lakes, rolling hills, and rugged mountains. Hiking here is an unforgettable experience, with trails that lead through misty valleys, crystal clear lagoons, and patches of native forest. The unique páramo ecosystem is home to diverse wildlife, including llamas, deer, and a variety of bird species, making it a paradise for nature lovers. The views are often dramatic, with shifting clouds creating an almost mystical atmosphere. Visitors should be prepared for cool weather, but the beauty of the park makes it worthwhile. El Cajas is a place where you can disconnect from the noise of the city and reconnect with nature’s serenity.

#holidayitinerary Cuenca in Azuay Ecuador is a city that charms visitors with its colonial elegance, cultural richness, and laid back lifestyle. Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is filled with cobblestone streets, beautiful plazas, and historic churches such as the stunning New Cathedral with its iconic blue domes. The Tomebamba River flows through the city, offering peaceful walking paths lined with flowers and greenery. Cuenca is also famous for its artisan markets where you can find Panama hats, handcrafted jewelry, and traditional textiles. The city’s museums showcase its fascinating history, from pre Columbian cultures to Spanish influence. With a lively cafe scene and delicious local food, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the rhythm of daily life. Cuenca blends history, art, and nature, making it one of the most captivating cities in Ecuador.

Beautiful safe city in the rolling mountains of Cuenca about 3 hours from Guayaquil. International food, art scene is divine, hotels are lovely and modern but historic, churches are on every corner, center is so accessible. Try any type of home grown coffee chocolate and ice cream!#travel

lovely city in August with lots of shopping - and safe UNESCO world heritage sites. Great food and cultural events. Go to Banos for the hit springs and mud baths!

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip Cuenca is a city at an altitude of 2,560m. Even though it is on the equator, it is a relatively comfortable place to live in Ecuador. The cityscape built during the Spanish colonial period is registered as a World Heritage Site as the "Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Rios Cuenca."

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

We entered Ecuador, the 40th country in our round-the-world trip. As soon as we arrived at the first stop, Cuenca, we loved it very much! Ecuador means the country of the equator in Spanish, but Cuenca belongs to the Andes Mountains, with an altitude of 2,500 meters. It is spring-like all year round and is cool and pleasant. It has the same name as the Spanish city of Cuenca. It is an ancient Inca city rebuilt by Spanish colonists in 1557. It is also listed as a cultural heritage city by UNESCO. Cuenca is called the second Cusco by many people. After we came here, we felt that Cuenca was cleaner, more comfortable and livable than Cusco, and a little more beautiful. The most attractive thing among tourists in Cuenca’s old town is the New Church. The church combines Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque architectural features, and its blue and white dome is particularly eye-catching. November 3rd is Cuenca’s Independence Day. It is a more important festival than the Day of the Dead. There are many parades, street performances, food streets, art exhibitions, etc. every day. Although I have not been to the Day of the Dead in Mexico, I still enjoy it in Cuenca. After an Independence Day, it was quite unique. I always feel that what makes us fall in love with a city is not only the scenery, but also the people here. Whether it is the crowds of people celebrating carnivally during festivals, the shy children performing on the street, or our sofa hosts, Brother Jia’s family from Henan, it is their enthusiasm that shortens the distance between people and makes a city more beautiful. Lively and lovely.