5 Great Day Trips from Cuenca, Ecuador

Cuenca, Ecuador has been one of our favorite cities to spend time in South America. Part of it is the UNESCO World Heritage level of charm, the ability to practice Spanish, and the affordable things to do and to eat.

There are also a variety of nice day trips from Cuenca that can add another dimension to the experience.

These are 5 Cuenca day trips that we have tried and tested, plus a couple other suggestions we heard about during our several month stays in the Andes.

Listed driving times are one-way on public transit, unless otherwise specified. Total costs are for one adult, traveling independently (not in a package tour).

Updated: January 2022. Originally published: June 2016.

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Ingapirca Ruins from Cuenca

Ecuador’s most monumental Incan/Cañari ruins are just a two hour bus ride from Cuenca. While perhaps more humble than ruins found in Peru or Mexico, we enjoyed learning about the fascinating and unique history of these sacred grounds.

Driving Time (one-way): 2 hours
Total cost: $13.50 (bus, entrance fee, lunch)
More info at: Visiting Ingapirca Ruins from Cuenca, Ecuador

Take a full-day guided tour from Cuenca to Ingapirca Archeological site >

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Cajas National Park

Just North of Cuenca you’ll find Cajas National Park, a place of natural beauty with some truly unique qualities: this high-altitude park sits on the Continental Divide and not far from the equator. It’s a great place for hiking but be prepared for the elements!

Driving Time: 1 hour
Total cost: $4-$50 (bus or taxi)
More info at: Cajas National Park: A Great Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador

Enjoy a guided day trip hiking in Cajas National Park >

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Amaru Bioparque Zoo

This one is more of a half-day trip since it’s right on the outskirts of Cuenca, but it was certainly a highlight. The park, which sits high on a hill overlooking the city, is a non-profit that features species native to Ecuador (with a couple exceptions, like lions) in a unique and very natural setting. Be prepared to hike!

Driving Time: 20 minutes by taxi
Total cost: $16 ($6 park fee plus roundtrip taxi)
More info at: Amaru Bioparque Zoo: A Must See in Cuenca, Ecuador

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Girón Waterfall Hike

While the lower falls at El Chorro park sees a fair number of visitors, few venture to the middle or upper falls, which are truly stunning. It’s a challenging yet rewarding climb through mountain cow pastures and jungle.

Directions are a little hard to find so we did our best to provide instructions in the blog post linked below.

Driving Time: 1 hour
Total cost: $14.50 (bus, taxis, park entrance fee)
More info at: Epic Girón Waterfall Hike: Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador

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Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and/or Sig Sig

These three towns are each known for different artisan skills, and you can easily visit one, two, or all three within a day.

Typically, tourists arrive in a package tour but we made our way independently. If you have some extra time and enjoy roaming small towns in the mountains or hunting for handicrafts, this makes a nice, quiet little adventure.

Driving Time: 1-2 hours
Total cost: $7.15 (buses and lunch)
More info at: Gualaceo, Chordeleg, Sig Sig Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador

Visit Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and San Bartolomé artisans with a guide >

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Other Day Trips From Cuenca

• Spa and hot springs at Piedra de Agua Fuente
• Horse-back riding at Cuentro Ecuestre Bellavista

If we’ve left out your favorite day trip from Cuenca, please let us know in the comments! We hope to return to Cuenca and see more of Ecuador before too long.

 

For further reading about places to visit around Cuenca, Ecuador:

–What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (Plus Walking Tour Map)
–Cuenca Transportation Guide: Walk, Bus, Bike, Taxi
–What and Where to Eat in Cuenca, Ecuador 
–Epic Girón Waterfall Hike: Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador 
–Gualaceo, Chordeleg, Sig Sig Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador 
–Cajas National Park: A Great Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador 
–Visiting Ingapirca Ruins from Cuenca, Ecuador
–Best Things to Do in Vilcabamba, Ecuador
–6 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Ecuadorian Andes 
–Amaru Bioparque Zoo: A Must See in Cuenca, Ecuador