Hey y'all! So even though I did not get to complete my time in Ecuador due to the Coronavirus outbreak, there were some amazing things that I did while I was there. And I will be adding a "wish-list" at the end of this post of the things that I did not get to do while I was there, but that I hope to return to one day that are (apparently) must-sees!
One: Tour the city!
This one seems obvious, but Cuenca is famous for it's architecture and it's colonial vibes. Simply taking a walking tour or a bus tour (use this company; only $9 per person!) of the city is a perfect way to spend half a day. The city of Cuenca is not terribly large, especially if you want to see more of the old city than the "new" city. Do be sure to check the weather forecast for the day and consider doing this in the morning rather than the afternoon because it tends to get rainy in the afternoons. But to just walk around the city and get lost is a wonderful way to see the city (and it's free).
Pictured above: A random view of the amazing architecture found in the Old Town of Cuenca on every street!
Tip: Taxis in Cuenca are safe and easy to use! Going about anywhere in the city would be no more than $2.00. But be sure that when you get in the taxi, the meter reads at about $0.60-0.70, especially if you do not speak Spanish.
If you are taking a taxi into city center, you can ask the driver to take you to "Parque Calderón", which is the stunning square in front of the New Cathedral of Cuenca, and a great place to get your own tour started. Two blocks from the cathedral is one of the main streets in Cuenca, "Calle Larga". This street is a great place to get food, souvenirs, or to find tours (I suggest TerraDiversa; they do wonderful work here!). Also, this street run along the Tomebamba River which is super picturesque and features a wonderful riverwalk. This is also the natural dividing line between the old town and the new town.
Pictured above: First, another random view of the colonial style buildings in Cuenca (this on is on Calle Larga), second, a shot of the river and one of Cuenca's hundreds of bridges, and third, a photo looking into the Old Town side of Cuenca from just on the other side of the river.
Two: Museo Pumapungo
If you do not have time to check out Ingapirca (it is super easy to book a day tour from Cuenca), just go to the Museo Pumapungo! This is a beautiful museum, FREE ENTRY, with two main attractions: the museum itself and the Incan ruins behind the museum. The museum has a really neat upper level that walks you through the culture and regions of Ecuador. Then, you can walk right out the back door, and into history! There is a really amazing set of ruins literally in the middle of the city. Make sure you walk all the way back, because it doesn't look like much until you walk down the back hill. The first floor, on the way to the door to the ruins, has a historical explanation of the ruins and a miniature version of the ruins for reference. This is really a wonderful deal, a museum and a "trip back in time" for free!
Pictured above: The coolest free thing to do in Cuenca! This is the archaeological site of Pumapungo (or part of it rather) from down on the other side of the museum.
Three: Mirador de Turi
Turi is an adorable little spot in the hills above Cuenca. The Turi viewpoint is one of the most well-known tourist places in Cuenca. To get to Turi, most tour buses will stop here, or a taxi would cost no more than $3.50. At the top, of course, is the viewpoint of Cuenca, a beautiful church, a couple restaurants and, my favorite, a little adventure park with amazing views of Cuenca! This is called Aventuri Adventure Park, and it costs $1 to enter and climb up, like, 150-160 steps, but the dollar includes two or three activities like a suspended bridge. My favorite was the big swing, which looked completely terrifying and not completely safe, but it was! And I had a blast. This adventure wasn't too crazy, and it allowed for an amazing view of the city. However, we also did the "Crazy Ball", which was, as is accurately named, crazy. It was also a really fun experience but I think my heart did stop for a couple seconds. The best part about this place is it is so cheap! The dollar to enter, and then anywhere from one to three dollars per person for each adventure. This is a great substitution if you cannot make it to the famous "Baños", which is also in Ecuador but certainly another two to three days including transportation at the minimum.
Pictured above: The incredible view from the viewpoint at Turi and then me on the Swing at Aventuri Adventure Park that was too much fun and had an even better view of the city (If you can keep your eyes open!).
Four: Piedra de Agua
This one is definitely not free, but if you add up all of the things you are saving doing other cheap or free things, this it totally worth it! And also, it is worth the price anyway! This is a little taste of heaven in the Andes mountains. Piedra de Agua is a special spa in Baños de Cuenca, which is different than the adventure hub Baños. This one is a tiny town (of course with a beautiful church in the middle) that can be accessed by taxi for maybe $3-4, and every taxi driver knows where this is, so trust them! It is definitely in an odd location, kind of in the middle of a neighborhood. But once you get there: WOW. So for $35 per person*, you can go on the "spa circuit", which was the coolest thing I have ever done. There are 6 different things that you do during this experience, and every single one is amazing. Here is a list of the things in the circuit:
Steam room
Blue and red mud
Steam box
Hot then cold pool
And then you get access to the normal thermal pools. And there are massages and facials available, which are, comparatively to US prices, are incredible. And you can get scented oil here for free (I recommend the chocolate). What a steal.
*: Did you see this by the price above? Because in addition to the amazing deal all of this is anyway, on some days, the entrance price is 2 for 1 (and cocktails are 2 for 1). Be sure to check their website for these days to get the best promotions.
Pictured above: The red and blue mud pools, and then the steam boxes (my personal favorite), as well as a photo of my friends and I after our relaxing day and delicious lunch.
Now time for the things I did not have time to do but that are a must-do in Cuenca:
One: Climb to the roof of the New Cathedral of Cuenca
The New Cathedral of Cuenca is probably what the city is most famous for, because it really is stunning. And for a couple dollars (I believe $2, but again, I did not do this so I am not certain), you can climb to the roof to see the blue domes up close and personal, and to get an incredible view of Cuenca from above. Quite possibly the most picturesque place in Cuenca, but I'll let you know for sure when I finally get back there!
Tip: If you are standing in front of the cathedral and begin walking down the block (away from the cathedral), there are some lovely little cafes that you will find, and if you look for the doorway pictured below, you will find a super unique and totally photo-worthy angle of the domes on top of the cathedral. And, there's a cafe and a wine and cheese shop in there. What could be better than sitting in a charming courtyard, drinking wine and eating cheese, with that view?
Pictured above: The doorway to heaven (or a really great view of the domes of the cathedral), the famous Parque Calderon from in front of the New Cathedral, and last but certainly not least, the domes of the cathedral from the secret spot.
Two: Cajas National Park
Cajas National Park is a famous park because of it's surreal views. It is said to be very mythical, with landscapes unlike any other in the entire world! There are a ton of day tours from Cuenca to the park, which I would suggest. My host mom told us that many people get lost in the park because in the afternoons the fog rolls in very quickly and this can very, very quickly become dangerous. Also, doing a day tour allows you to see the highlights of the park, so you do not have to figure out where you should be going and risk wasting the day. My experience with tour guides in Ecuador was amazing; tour guides required to be highly educated and speak English almost perfectly, and they make the experience truly that much more enjoyable.
I hope this helps with your Ecuador travels, and I hope you find Cuenca as charming as I do! Coming soon: a guide to eating in Cuenca, so stayed tuned for more! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know! Feel free to like and share!
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