Top Things to do in Cuenca
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The 10 Best Cultural Tours in Cuenca, Azuay Province
Writers and poets have long flourished in arts-oriented Cuenca, the country's third-largest city and the capital of the Azuay province. Cafes and galleries are tucked among the narrow cobblestone streets. The main plaza hosts both the old cathedral, started in 1557, the year the city was founded, and the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, dating to 1885. Locally made Panama hats get top billing at the markets, with centrally located Casa de la Mujer a shopping standout.
Restaurants in Cuenca
1. Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and San Bartolomé from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
In the tour of the artisan villages, you will visit 3 important towns of the province of azuay Gualaceo, Chordeleg, San Bartolome and in each one you will have the opportunity to know about the elaboration of some crafts such as guitars, jewelery or textiles. Also during this day you can admire the beautiful landscape of the Andes mixed with the color of the traditional "cholas cuencanas" that always wear their colorful skirts and shawls, and you will enjoy the old colonial style houses. And for lovers of local food this tour will take you to a local market to enjoy culinary delights.
Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Drinks, Tips
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
2. Private Gualaceo & Chordeleg craft-making villages tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Skilled artisans produce beautiful products here. Check out the exquisite textiles (hand-woven shawls and hand-embroidered clothing), jewelry made with unique techniques such as filigree, pottery, straw hats and much more... Highlights: • Browse the famous artisan-crafted guitars of San Bartolome • Check out Chordeleg's famous jewelry and ceramics • Learn about the Hispanic shawl-making technique called "Ikat" in Gualaceo • Walk through the colorful market in Gualaceo where you will see locals weaving hats on the streets
Inclusions: Licensed Tour Guide/Driver, Transportation, Lunch, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, All taxes, fees and handling charges
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
3. Ingapirca Ruins Day-Tour from Cuenca with Small Group
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Ingapirca is the major Inca-Cañari archaeological site in Ecuador. Explore the ruins, including the only elliptical temple of the sun made of perfectly carved stones, terraces, patios, etc. On Sundays, we include a visit to the Indigenous Cañar Market. Highlights: • Visit the largest archaeological Inca site in Ecuador and the only elliptical temple of the Inca empire • Enjoy the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes while you drive through the fertile ranchland of the countryside. • Visit the Cañar Market and immerse yourself in the traditions of the local indigenous tribes (Sundays) • See how the famous Panama Hats are woven
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Licensed tour guide/driver, Lunch (if option selected), Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off, Fuel surcharge, Lunch
Exclusions: Gratuities, Ingapirca entrance fee $2 each
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
4. 4-Day Magic Tour Cuenca, Alausi town, Baños, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi and Quito
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
On this spectacular four-day tour departing from Cuenca, you will have the opportunity to visit several of Ecuador's tourist attractions, a combination of nature and culture, an ideal tour for people who want to walk along paths with volcanoes, lagoons, waterfalls, colonial cities, archaeological sites, indigenous markets, etc. We invite you to take this tour and Experience the authentic! Check our tripadvisor photo gallery. ONE WAY: CUENCA - DEVIL'S NOSE TRAIN - BAÑOS - QUILOTOA - COTOPAXI - QUITO
Inclusions: 4 nights accommodation based on double occupancy, National Park fees, Driver/guide SUV (1 to 3 people) - Minivan (4 to 6 people) - Minibus (7 to..., One day courtesy lunch..!!, Pick up (hotels or apartments), Breakfasts
Exclusions: Lunch-dinner, Personal expenses, Tips
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
5. Cuenca City Private Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Discover the beauty and colonial ambience of Cuenca with best experienced on foot . Our four-hour Cuenca city tour weaves its way through the old town center, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, to give you a short introduction to the city before heading to Turi to enjoy the incredible view.
Inclusions: Fruits Tasting at the Market, Private transportation, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch is not included however we always end up our tour in a very cozy restaurant where you can buy something to eat, Gratuities
Reviewed By SunriseFitness
I highly recommend this tour! It’s active but not strenuous, covers a lot, and Alex was friendly and knowledgeable throughout. It felt nice to have a blend of parks and the city, stopping along the way for photos, explanations and history, sweeping city views and gelato on a balcony.
6. Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 21 reviews
Enjoy our one-way flexible, convenient and private tour departing from Guayaquil to Cuenca including a visit to a cacao farm and a optional hike in Cajas National Park. Allowed 2 suitcases p.p
Inclusions: Tour Guide/Driver (Licensed), Transportation, Lunch (If option selected), Hotel pickup and drop-off, All taxes, fees and handling charges
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
7. 4-Day Magic Tour Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños,Chimborazo, and Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 8 reviews
On this spectacular four-day tour departing from Quito, you will have the opportunity to visit several of Ecuador's tourist attractions, a combination of nature and culture, an ideal tour for people who want to walk along paths with volcanoes, lagoons, waterfalls, colonial cities, archaeological sites, indigenous markets, etc. We invite you to take this tour and Experience the authentic! Check our tripadvisor photo gallery. ONE WAY: QUITO - COTOPAXI - QUILOTOA - BAÑOS - DEVIL'S NOSE TRAIN - CUENCA
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 4 nights accommodation based on double occupancy, All activities, Driver/guide SUV (2 to 3 people) - Minivan (4 to 6 people) - Minibus (7 to 15 people), One meal of courtesy!!
Exclusions: Lunch-dinner, Personal expenses, Tips
Reviewed By _calanhiggins932
Our adventure was amazing and beautiful. A guide, Milton from Polylepis Tours, took us to the Cajas National Park. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the eco system of the Andes, local plant life, the culture of those living in the Andes, history and animal life. His personality, patience and English were excellent. The owner of Polylepis Tours even contacted me to make sure our day went well. The Cajas National Park is designated a nature and eco system preserve. The scenery is breathtaking. I’m so glad we had a guide, we learned things we perhaps never would have never learned on our own and were taken to areas others might not have known to go to. The views around Lake Llaviucu were almost heavenly as were the views at almost 14,000 ft up in to the Andes. A provided lunch was delicious. It was an amazing day!
8. Half-Day Tour of Cuenca Including Panama Hat Factory
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 22 reviews
Head through Cuenca historic district with a local expert that will show you the highlights including churches, beautiful historical buildings with wrought-iron balconies, and carved wooden doors, amidst a flower market, art galleries, etc.
Inclusions: Professional tour guide, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Transportation
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
9. Cuenca to Guayaquil one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 15 reviews
Enjoy the fascinating views and contrast of the Ecuadorian Andes and lowlands in our one-way flexible, convenient tour departing from Cuenca to Guayaquil including a visit to Cajas National Park, a local fruit market, and a cacao farm. Allowed 2 suitcases per person.
Inclusions: Tour Guide/Driver (Licensed), Transportation in private Van with AC, Lunch (If option selected), Hotel pickup and drop-off, All taxes, fees and handling charges
Exclusions: Gratuities, Tips (Optional)
Reviewed By mea410
My boyfriend and I had a tour with Sebastian this week while visiting and it was unbelievable !! It’s my first time in this beautiful country and I don’t speak English so my thoughtful boyfriend (100% Ecuadorian) requested an English speaking tour and I was so impressed with Sebastian’s knowledge of the English language and the entire country of Ecuador. He made us feel relaxed and comfortable the entire day. Every inch of land we drove by, he gave us new information and facts. Really interesting. I am a pastry chef from NYC so the cacao farm was my main attraction. Sebastian knew everything about the farm, growing, drying and making processes of the cacao produced on the farm. The family at the farm was welcoming and we felt very safe walking through their fields. We assisted them with some tasks and took many photos and videos. Extremely kind people that are ready to welcome more guests into their every day life! After that, it was all uphill! Literally so scared to pass out from the altitude. Sebastian reassured us the whole time that no matter what we could take our time and whatever we wanted to do we could do and whatever we didn’t want to do, no worries. We actually stopped along the way and my boyfriend did a swing (with Sebastian’s suggestion) and he was AMAZED!! He said it was one of the best experiences of his life! Sebastian stopped at every major photo opportunity to take multiple photos of us. Our lunch was along the way and the food was delicious! Once we got all the way to the top, I was so dizzy I couldn’t balance myself and again, Sebastian was very comforting and told us to take our time, drink some water and relax to see how we felt. I built up the stamina to walk a little bit and let me tell you, best views I’ve ever seen !!! I was a little out of breath, my boyfriend as well, so Sebastian suggested taking us through Cuenca so we could see the city and we were blown away! Such a beautiful city with so much life and culture. Sebastian is from Cuenca so he knew where to go, what to see and knew everything! I would recommend this tour to everyone visiting Ecuador! It is beautiful, interesting, worth the money and most importantly safe! Thank you to Javier for assisting my boyfriend in the planning and thank you to Sebastian for a truly wonderful experience !!! See you in NYC! *** just a little heads up what to bring with you, water! (Which you could buy on the way up if you forget) gum, your ears will pop. A jacket or something to keep you warm, it’s freezing at the top. Good boots to hike in. Most important: tissues! To use for going to the bathroom or in case your nose bleeds.
10. Full-Day Devil's Nose Hiking and Ingapirca Ruins Tour from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 59 reviews
The train company is temporarily nor operating. As an alternative we are offering a hiking and/or biking activity in the area. We will also include a visit to the Ingapirca ruins Friday through Sunday.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Licensed tour Guide/Driver, Transportation, Lunch in local restaurant (If option selected), All taxes, handling charges
Exclusions: Entrance fee to Ingapirca $2 each, Gratuities, Bike rental $8 p.p
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
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