Guidebook for Cuenca
Parks & Nature
Walk, jog, outdoor free strength training equipment, lots of grass and trees, outdoor amphitheater, kite flying and team sports on Saturdays and Sundays
Iphaki yaseMiraflores
776 Av. TuruhuaycoWalk, jog, outdoor free strength training equipment, lots of grass and trees, outdoor amphitheater, kite flying and team sports on Saturdays and Sundays
Fantastic zoo. This zoo is more of a wildlife reserve than a zoo. It is built for the comfort of the animals, not the people. It's a HIKE. Starts at 9000 ft altitude and you will be hiking UP the mountain side for at least 3 hours (with time to stop and breathe and admire the animals). Take a camera.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Amaru Zoo Bioparque
km 10 5 AlturaFantastic zoo. This zoo is more of a wildlife reserve than a zoo. It is built for the comfort of the animals, not the people. It's a HIKE. Starts at 9000 ft altitude and you will be hiking UP the mountain side for at least 3 hours (with time to stop and breathe and admire the animals). Take a camera.
There are natural hot springs near the town of Banos, and a high-end spa. A dip in the hotsprings for as long as you would like is very affordable. If you would also like spa treatments the price will go up.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Baños
Camino a BañosThere are natural hot springs near the town of Banos, and a high-end spa. A dip in the hotsprings for as long as you would like is very affordable. If you would also like spa treatments the price will go up.
Sightseeing
Way way up, these ruins are at about 11,000 ft altitude. You will want a jacket and hat and possibly gloves. It is cool up there.
There is a restaurant very close to the ruins that operates out of a 600 year old home, that you also don't want to miss.
Best time to go is early in the morning so that you can have the place to yourself for picture taking without other people getting in the way.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Ingapirca Archaeological Complex
Way way up, these ruins are at about 11,000 ft altitude. You will want a jacket and hat and possibly gloves. It is cool up there.
There is a restaurant very close to the ruins that operates out of a 600 year old home, that you also don't want to miss.
Best time to go is early in the morning so that you can have the place to yourself for picture taking without other people getting in the way.
Arts & Culture
Panama Hat Museum
10-41 Calle LargaShopping
Large open-air market.
Pick-pockets are common here so do not advertise that you have a cell phone or a camera, and keep purses or backpacks in front of you with a hand on them at all times.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Feria Libre - A large market
Avenida de las AméricasLarge open-air market.
Pick-pockets are common here so do not advertise that you have a cell phone or a camera, and keep purses or backpacks in front of you with a hand on them at all times.
Mall Del Rio
Avenue Circunvalación SurLarge modern shopping mall. Very safe and they have everything.
Chordeleg is a small city that is home to some of the best jewelry makers in South America. Lots of beautiful shiny things to look at and possibly buy, at VERY reasonable prices.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Chordeleg
Chordeleg is a small city that is home to some of the best jewelry makers in South America. Lots of beautiful shiny things to look at and possibly buy, at VERY reasonable prices.
Food Scene
SUNRISE CAFE
938 Calle LargaCommon expat hangout for food, the staff all speak English.
The Windhorse is also owned and operated by an expat with lots of English speaking staff. It is only open until 3pm, so it is a breakfast and lunch spot only.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Windhorse Café
6-16 Calle LargaThe Windhorse is also owned and operated by an expat with lots of English speaking staff. It is only open until 3pm, so it is a breakfast and lunch spot only.
Goza is open late and their food is to die for. Serious. Expensive compared to other local places, Goza caters mostly to the expat and tourist community, and the wealthier locals.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Goza Espresso Bar
Presidente BorreroGoza is open late and their food is to die for. Serious. Expensive compared to other local places, Goza caters mostly to the expat and tourist community, and the wealthier locals.