Guidebook for Cuenca
Drinks & Nightlife
Inca Bar and Lounge
Paseo 3 de NoviembreExcellent for American food or a drink.
Golden Prague Pub
s/n Av. Jose PeraltaCzech Beer by new Czech inhabitants in town.
Sightseeing
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
Benigno MaloCuencas most symbolic landmark
Iphondo elihlukileyo
Puento RotoEverlasting and infamous fallen bridge
Escalinata Francisco Sojo Jaramillo
Infamous stairs to Cuencas Historical Downtown: "La Escalinata"
For a lovely view of Cuenca, take a taxi ($5) 4km south of town along Avenida Solano to the stark, white Church of Turi. The views of Cuenca’s famous, romantic skyline are especially pretty at sunset and on November and December evenings, when the city fires up the Christmas lights.
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Mirador de Turi
Avenida Mirador de TuriFor a lovely view of Cuenca, take a taxi ($5) 4km south of town along Avenida Solano to the stark, white Church of Turi. The views of Cuenca’s famous, romantic skyline are especially pretty at sunset and on November and December evenings, when the city fires up the Christmas lights.
Essentials
Supermaxi El Vergel
PALACIOSMonday through Saturday 9:30AM–8:30PM
Sunday 9:30AM–7PM
Food Scene
El Mercado
8-27 y Calle LargaTop end Restaurant
Tiestos
4-89 Juan JaramilloOne of the best restaurants in Ecuador. Top end
Café CIDAP
Paseo 3 de NoviembreBelgium Waffles in Cuenca
Raymipampa Restaurant
8-59 Benigno MaloGreat for a budget and typical breakfast.
Mayu
Escalinata Juana de OroAmerican food
The best cafe in Cuenca. Artisan Ecuadorian coffee is roasted and the resulting brews are the main reason to stop by – along with gleaning an insight into Ecuador's coffee industry from the knowledgable owner. But they also do nice breakfasts and cakes and the tables fill up fast in the mornings.
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Café de Ñucallacta
Exterior:5-62 Hermano MiguelThe best cafe in Cuenca. Artisan Ecuadorian coffee is roasted and the resulting brews are the main reason to stop by – along with gleaning an insight into Ecuador's coffee industry from the knowledgable owner. But they also do nice breakfasts and cakes and the tables fill up fast in the mornings.
Shopping
Centro Comercial Milenium Plaza
Shopping Mall with Movie Theater
Parks & Nature
Parque de la Madre
Parque de la MadreSmall Park with running track
Infamous for its lakes and Trails. Hiring Tour operator is recommended
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INational Park yaseCajas
Infamous for its lakes and Trails. Hiring Tour operator is recommended
Arts & Culture
Mordern Art Museum based on donations and not a fixed fee.
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Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno
& Coronel Guillermo TálbotMordern Art Museum based on donations and not a fixed fee.
It's worth the walk east along Calle Larga to one of Ecuador's most significant museums. While there's some great modern art downstairs, the highlight is on the 2nd floor. Here begins a comprehensive voyage through Ecuador's diverse indigenous cultures, with colorfully animated dioramas and reconstructions of typical houses, including of Afro-Ecuadorians from Esmeraldas province, the cowboy-like montubios (coastal farmers) of the western lowlands, several rainforest groups and all major highland groups. The finale features rare and eerie tzantzas (shrunken heads) from the Shuar culture of the southern Oriente. Included in your visit is the Archaeological Park
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I-Pumapungo Museum
182 Calle LargaIt's worth the walk east along Calle Larga to one of Ecuador's most significant museums. While there's some great modern art downstairs, the highlight is on the 2nd floor. Here begins a comprehensive voyage through Ecuador's diverse indigenous cultures, with colorfully animated dioramas and reconstructions of typical houses, including of Afro-Ecuadorians from Esmeraldas province, the cowboy-like montubios (coastal farmers) of the western lowlands, several rainforest groups and all major highland groups. The finale features rare and eerie tzantzas (shrunken heads) from the Shuar culture of the southern Oriente. Included in your visit is the Archaeological Park
This indigenous culture museum has more than 5000 archaeological pieces representing more than 20 pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian cultures going back some 15,000 years. But what makes this such a gem of a museum is the informative guided tour – touching upon such unexpected items as combs and obsidian mirrors (they were vain then, some of these pre-Inca peoples) and rather sophisticated cooking equipment as well as explaining the striking designs. It's one of those rare museums which makes artifacts enthralling to look at. A peaceful courtyard cafe sells wickedly strong coffee.
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Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes
5-24 Calle LargaThis indigenous culture museum has more than 5000 archaeological pieces representing more than 20 pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian cultures going back some 15,000 years. But what makes this such a gem of a museum is the informative guided tour – touching upon such unexpected items as combs and obsidian mirrors (they were vain then, some of these pre-Inca peoples) and rather sophisticated cooking equipment as well as explaining the striking designs. It's one of those rare museums which makes artifacts enthralling to look at. A peaceful courtyard cafe sells wickedly strong coffee.