Top Things to do in Cuenca
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What to do and see in Cuenca, Azuay Province: The Best Walking Tours
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. Shared Cuenca City Half Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Cuenca offer an astounding variety of art, culturally rich traditions, monumental architectural gems and exceptional cuisine. A city crossed by four rivers and situated in an Andean valley in the South Ecuadorian mountain region, nature makes its home in the city center. The famous 10 de Agosto Market, is very famous in the city for being a place where it is very interesting to get to the market and walk through the aisles of the fruit and medicinal herbs vendors as well as the large number of local shops selling food also deciding on where to eat isn’t easy.
Inclusions: Local guide, Transportation
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Personal Expenses, Tips
Reviewed By daniellD4910OZ
Driver picked us up on time at hotel at 7am and informed us that main road to Cajas was closed due to a mudslide but no problem there's another way that is slightly longer(if you hear that consider not going) it ended up taking 6hrs to get there when normally takes 3hrs or less. Finally reached the park at 1pm to begin hike. Milton our guide met us there and did an awesome job of leading us on a hike. Milton was very engaging and informative and did an excellent job. Finished hike at 4:15 and was advised main road should be open but driver opted to take the alternate route (6hr drive back to Guayaquil arriving back to hotel at 10pm. Fortunately we brought a few snacks as driver never did stop and allow us to eat a meal(supposed to be included) 15hrs without eating can be rough so plan accordingly. Overall the hike part of the trip was awesome and would definitely do it again but like I said, if alternate route is mentioned consider opting out and trying a different day.
2. 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!
3. Hike El Cajas - Beyond the Common Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Our meeting place starts at CoffeWorks, where you can enjoy Cuenca’s best hand-crafted drinks. Once gathered, will travel to the Valley of Laguna Llaviucu. Our hike will be along an ancient Inca trail. Along the way, we will take diversions to view Lake Llaviucu, the ruins of an abandoned German brewery, and meadows where horses and alpacas graze. Many of the sights are beyond the park trail most visited. Normally, we are the only ones in this area, which adds to the charm and enrichment of the experience.
Inclusions: Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By McWill96
My wife and I really enjoyed our time hiking in the Cajas with our great guide Thank you again for looking after us!
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. Mother Tree-to-Chocolate Tasting
Overall Ratings
1.0 based on 1 reviews
Come to The Chocolate Factory - Altisimo Chocolate, Coffee & Bistro Downtown Cuenca, Ecuador The History of cacao in Ecuador is partly a well kept secret. Also is the saving and preservation of the Mother Heirloom trees. We use only this type of rare cacao in order to make the finest chocolate in the world which will expand your senses of flavor. Preserve and Taste The Rare. Before or After your Tasting tour enjoy our 85 seat bistro for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, we also offer Hot Chocolate, wine, beer in addition to well and mixed drinks.
Inclusions: Includes 3 single estate chocolate samples and lemon mint water as a palate cleanser.
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Edocol
If you like chocolate, this will open you a brand new world!! Super interesting tour and tasting of REAL chocolate, i learned so much, from the plants, the beans, the process, really amazing!! James just trasmit you all his knowledge and passion in a very elegant and catchy way, thank you very much. At the end of the tour its basically impossible not to buy their incredible chocolate bars!! They also have a wine and chocolate pairing tour, Extremely recommended!
7. The best of Cuenca, with a local
Overall Ratings
1.0 based on 1 reviews
Cuenca is a cultural city with a lot of historical value, be it for its past as the city of Tomebamba, inhabited by the Incas or a city derived from the Spanish colony, on this tour you will be able to know the best of these two worlds that with the passage of time they have mixed to achieve a unique culture, which will be told from the perspective and live of a guy who was born here.
Inclusions: Local Guide
Exclusions: museum tickets
8. Street food Tour in Cuenca
Cuenca and Ecuador have a very diverse gastronomy in this tour the main idea is to get to know some of the most famous places in the city to try their delicious snacks, we will visit several food stalls and in the price of the tour they will have two snacks included + drink and at the end a cocktail, however if tourists want to try more snacks they can pay directly. ! Enjoy Cuenca and its gastronomy!
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Food and drinks (available for purchase), Gratuities
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.
9. All You Need to Know About Cuenca in a Smooth Walk in the Historic District
This walking tour includes all the landmarks and the best stories of the city. Additionally, we will enjoy the best coffee in town.
Inclusions: Coffee
Exclusions:
10. Altisimo Taste the Rare Chocolate & Wine Pairing
Chocolate and Wine Pairing tour. One of the classic pairings with chocolate is wine. This is one of the only "rare chocolate" and wine pairing tours in Cuenca, Ecuador. One of our Chocolate Experts will guide you through a tasting tour of red and white wines paired with our amazing rare and mother tree chocolates. And it's only one block from Parque Calderon. During a portion of the tour / pairing you will learn about the History of mother tree cacao in Ecuador is partly a well kept secret. Also about the saving and preservation of the Mother Heirloom trees. We use only this type of rare cacao in order to make the finest chocolate in the world. Preserve and Taste The Rare. Come before or after your tour and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. We also serve wine, beer along with well and mixed drinks in addition to our ready to release Altisimo Khuya* Craft Cacao Sake' - you'll fall in Love again. *Khuya is a Kichwa language word which means "Impassioned Love"
Inclusions: Indulge in the flavors of three of our artisan truffles or bonbons, in addition to three samples from our current and/or not yet released 2020 Indulgence chocolate collection. Pre-selected by Altisimo
Exclusions: Food and other drinks are not included. Food or other drinks or desserts are available for sale in our Bistro/Restaurant
Reviewed By 296larryp
I was having lunch at Las Cruces and I struck up a conversation with the expat American couple next to me. We were talking about Cuenca, restaurants and expat life there. I told them I was going on a tour of the chocolate factory on Gran Columbia which is just doors from my hotel. They told me it closed about two months ago. The hotel staff confirmed and I walked by and it was shuttered. I think it odd that TripAdvisor is still selling tickets.
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