30+ Things to Do in Cuenca, Ecuador Guide (Plus Walking Tour Map)

We were first attracted to Cuenca because of its UNESCO World Heritage designation and its reputation for being one of the most livable cities in Latin America.

Active, safe, affordable, with mild weather and local culture, we fell in love with this small city pretty much immediately. We’ve had the pleasure of making Cuenca our digital nomad home base for six weeks in 2016 and for several months in 2021 and 2022.

After lots of research, speaking with native Cuencanos as well as resident expats, and exploring Cuenca ourselves, we put together a list of what to see and do in Cuenca. This post includes:

– Best things to do in Cuenca, sight-seeing spots, and cheap activities
– A self-guided walking route that covers most of the top attractions (with interactive map accessible by e-mail)
– Other resources like: Where to stay in Cuenca, Day trips from Cuenca, and more

Updated: December 2022. Originally published: March 2016.

Table of Contents

What to do in Cuenca Ecuador: Self-Guided Walking Route

* Get access to our Cuenca map here *
If you have just one day in Cuenca, our interactive Cuenca map shows what we would suggest you do.

The Google MyMaps includes all of our favorite restaurants, bakeries, shops, and things to do in Cuenca. In addition to the self-guided Cuenca walking route, there are over 50 recommended places on this map you can add to your itinerary!

Below is our list of things to do in Cuenca Ecuador. Numbers corresponding to the map above are indicated in (*parentheses).

Best Cheap Things to Do in Cuenca Ecuador

If you’re a budget traveler looking for free things to do in Cuenca, there is a lot!

Here is our personal list of Top 10 Free Things to Do in Cuenca:
1. Explore Parque Abdón Calderon and the cathedral
2. Walk around the centro historico on foot
3. Visit Cuenca’s produce markets
4. See Pumapungo cultural museum and archeological park
5. Visit Cuenca’s craft markets
6. Stroll along the Tomebamba river
7. Visit the Panama hat museum, shop and cafe overlook
8. Look for murals throughout town
9. Hike up to see the views at Turi overlook or Parque la Libertad
10. Explore city parks like Parque El Paraiso and Parque de la Madre

Read on for more details on these, plus many more ideas of things to do in Cuenca!

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Centro

These doors are a great example of the colors and architecture in Cuenca

The centro historico is Cuenca’s main draw. Most of the following attractions in our list are found in this zone.

Parque Abdon Calderon (*1)

Parque Abdon Calderon with the old white cathedral across the way

This main square is considered the heart of Cuenca’s historical town center. Named after one of Ecuador’s youngest heroes in their battle for independence, it includes a memorial, gardens, gazebo, and plenty of park benches to sit and people watch.

Antigua Cathedral

On one side of the square, you’ll find an older white cathedral from Spanish colonial times. It is said that many of the stones within the church’s foundation were taken from the Cañari/Incan ruins nearby – before people realized they were destroying ancient history.

The Antigua Cathedral is now a small museum, which costs a couple dollars to enter. They also host concerts, including free symphony concerts by the University.

Free symphony in the old cathedral, 2016

Cuenca Cathedral

View from the top of the new cathedral

On the opposite side of the square is Cuenca’s new cathedral.

This was completed in 1975 – or almost completed. You’ll notice under the statue of Mary at the top, there is a crack going down the face of the church. When placing the statue, they realized that the church would not hold the weight of the two towers they had planned, so they left the stumps of the tower and called it a day.

Entry into this cathedral is free and services are held there on a daily basis.

To climb a tower to El mirador de la Catedral (viewpoint at the Cathedral) or descend into the crypt below, you would pay a small fee at the office. The entrance is now around the side, from the Santa Ana pedestrian street. A $2 tour takes you to the rooftop terraza with its views of Parque Calderón. $3 will let you see the crypt, the chorus loft and the terrace.

Visit Cuenca’s Markets

Cuenca has several large indoor markets that are open daily, two of which are within the historic town center.

Mercado 9 de Octubre (*2)

Mercado 9 de Octubre is three stories with fish and meat on the bottom, fresh produce and a few snack vendors on the ground floor, and then cookshops and smoothie vendors on top.

Bargaining isn’t really necessary as prices are pretty standard – you’ll get three avocados for $1 from every stall you ask. The difference is with the size and quality you get for that dollar.

We did a majority of our shopping at these produce markets. Jedd also found his favorite meal here – a $1 bowl of chicken or pork, starches, and broth. We also enjoyed the 50 cent batidos (smoothies).

Learn more about what and where to eat in Cuenca in this post.

A note about safety in Cuenca: I should mention here that the only time a local Cuencano actually named an area that we should avoid for safety, it was here. The concern is primarily at night. As pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity, it’s always wise to carry as few valuables as possible and keep them close and concealed on your body until you need them (see our favorite alternatives to travel wallets and other travel safety tips).

Mercado 10 de Agosto (*7)

This is the other big market in the heart of town, which happens to be closer to where we stay in Cuenca. On the first floor is mostly fruit and vegetables, plus some grain and hardware in the inner stalls. Upstairs is more vegetables, grains, cheese, and lots of cookshops.

One of the specialties in Cuenca is hornado – roast pig – which can also be found upstairs from several vendors.

Mercado de Artesania de Rotary (*3)

If you exit Mercado 9 de Octubre and cross the large plaza, you can pass through a short alley to arrive at the small plaza, Rotary. Alternatively, you can go around the corner, just a block East on Gaspar Sangurima.

This is a craft and wares market with primarily practical items for locals – woven baskets, carved wooden utensils, iron work, etc. You’ll find a few textiles and gift items there as well.

Centro Municipal Artesanal – Craft Market in Cuenca (*8)

This indoor artisan market can be found on General Torres Street at the edge of Plaza San Francisco, which also has a number of vendors outside.

There are two stories of shops with a wide variety of art and gift items, from ceramics to wood carvings, paintings to textiles, hats and trinkets. Many of the artists are running their own shops and working on their craft throughout the day.

Since the set up is a little more upscale than the traditional markets, prices may be a little higher than you’d find elsewhere.

Cuenca Flower Market (*9)

Parque de las Flores sits in a small square on the way back to Parque Abdon Calderon, flanked by both the cathedral and another smaller church. Recognized on a global scale, the flower market is a beautiful place and you can pick up a dozen roses for just a couple dollars.

Aboriginal Culture Museum (*4)

Thanks to the Language & Culture program we did our first week in Cuenca, we were introduced to this small but prolific collection of ancient artifacts, located at 5-24 Calle Larga.

Apparently the collection started as a hobby and grew to over 5,000 items. The cost to enter is a few dollars.

Just across the street and a block East down Calle Larga is the church De Todos Santos. We were told that this had primarily an indigenous congregation, at least when it started.

Next to the church is a nice viewpoint that overlooks the river at Puente Roto (broken bridge). The bridge was partially washed away when the river flooded many years ago.

Pumapungo Culture Museum and Archeological Site (*5)

Visiting the indigenous exhibits with Michelle’s Spanish teacher

Although a bit out of the way, Pumapungo should be high on your list of things to do in Cuenca. Inside the National Bank building you’ll find the most extensive historical/cultural museum in Cuenca.

Entry is free – just sign in and leave your bags at the desk. Make sure you explore the different floors, which include exhibits on art, money, culture and clothing of the indigenous tribes, and even shrunken heads. Although you may not want to spend a ton of time there (most of the signage is only in Spanish, by the way), the museum is definitely worth a walk through.

But that’s not all. Between the museum and the orchestra building, you can pass to the back side of Pumapungo to visit the hillside Cañari ruins.

This was apparently a sacred site for this powerful tribe. Although no full structures have been preserved, you can see the outline of their buildings and terraced agriculture, an underground cave, and water system. As you continue down the hill, you’ll find a large display garden of the many local crops and native plants.

Continue to the southwest corner of Pumapungo park and there is a nice bird sanctuary. You might even spot some llamas! It’s a really nice place to explore by foot.

The lower entrance of Pumapungo used to connect to the riverfront walking trail. It seems this gate is no longer open to the public, so be prepared to hike back up the hill and exit next to the museum.

Museo de Sombreros – Cuenca Hat Museum (*6)

This hat museum, factory, and shop is all about the famous Panama hats. These iconic hats have always been made in Ecuador but were discovered on a global scale during the construction of the Panama canal.

As you walk in, there are displays depicting the various stages of hat production, including many of the tools which were used in the past.

This is also a working shop where you can see people pressing hats into shape with large machines and expertly sewing bands on the inside and outside. Select a finished hat from the displays or customize your own.

There are certainly numerous places to purchase Panama hats around Cuenca and the rest of Ecuador – we even made the trip out to the women’s hat cooperative in the little town of Sig Sig. But we’ve concluded that this is the best place to see the hat-making process in person and to find the widest variety of hats.

Most of the hats start at $25 – the finer the weave, the longer it takes to make (several weeks by hand), producing a higher quality and more expensive product.

Another fun thing about this museum is you can go up the stairs in the back to a nice overlook along the river. There’s also a little coffee shop back there.

Other Attractions in Cuenca, Ecuador

We made an interactive map of our top recommendations for Cuenca so you can click around to find what you’d like to do.

Get access to our free Cuenca map here

Historical Building. What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (Plus Walking Tour Map) | Intentional Travelers

Art-Mural. What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (Plus Walking Tour Map) | Intentional Travelers

Although Cuenca may not have as many exciting tourist attractions as other places, we loved it because the streets themselves exude charm – from colonial architecture to beautiful murals on every corner.

Mirador de Turi Viewpoint

Click here for the full #JumpingJedd gallery

Across the south of Cuenca, at the end of Avenida Solano, you can see a white church up on the hill. This is Turi and it’s a great place to get a view of the city and surrounding mountains. You can get there on the tourist bus, city bus, taxi, or – if you need the exercise – hiking up a lot of steps.

Turi’s mirador (overlook) was recently remodeled and finally reopened at the end of 2022.

There is also an amusement park up on the hill called Parque Extremo Turi. Entry is $1 and activities, including high tree walk and a giant swing, are priced from $0.50 to $5.

Cuenca Modern Art Museum: Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno

Located off Parque San Sebastián in Cuenca’s historic center, the modern art museum features immersive art work by South American artists.

Historically, the beautiful white building has been home to a recovery center for alcoholics, a male prison, an assisted living facility, and a foundation for impoverished mothers. The museum was inaugurated in 1981.

Although I had seen a $2 entrance mentioned online somewhere, I was only asked to sign the registry (without charge) at the entrance. Apart from a museum brochure, all information about the art was in Spanish.

Small exhibitions, including textile sculpture, video, photography, and painting can be found in rooms surrounding open-air courtyards. Many of the works had a focus on environmental justice and awareness.

The Modern Art Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9am-1:30pm with additional hours from 3-6:30pm on week days.

Amaru Zoo Biopark

What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (Plus Walking Tour Map) | Intentional Travelers

One of Cuenca’s biggest surprises is the “zoo.” Focused on native, rescued animals (but they also have lions), this is like no zoo we’ve ever seen before. A single dirt path climbs the giant hill just outside of town as you wind around roomy, natural exhibits full of active animals.

On weekends, we recommend arriving around 10:30 to see the feeding of the Andean bears at 11am (at the start of your hike) and the lions at 1pm (toward the end of the route). The park staff give an educational talk (in Spanish) and it is truly fascinating to learn about how they keep the animals healthy and active.

Since the zoo is just on the outskirts of town (a hike up a road near Hospital del Rio), we recommend catching a taxi, which is about $5 from the center of town.

Read our full review of Amaru Bioparque here

Explore Cuenca’s Bike Baths with a Bicycle Rental

Cuenca has several rivers running through town which are lined by parks, walking paths, and bike lanes, so you can go for miles only crossing traffic a few times.

BiciCuenca operates a bike share program throughout the city. You must first register with a copy of your passport and insurance at the office (the online option only accepts Ecuadorian credit cards). The office is located along the Riobamba river, Calle 3 de Noviembre near Juana de Oro bridge. After becoming a member, you’ll pay $0.25 per 30 minute trip, $10 per day, or $15 for 3 months.

Alternatively, daily mountain bike or downhill bike rentals, with free delivery and pick up, are $15 from Runa Way Adventours.

If you stick to one trail, the most scenic is probably the North side of Rio Tomebamba. (Every once in a while the trail will end under a bridge, so we just got off the bikes and walked them until the trail picked up again.)

This is the bike route we took. Click the image for the full interactive map.

It’s worth a bike ride or long walk to Parque Paraiso, one of the best parks in Cuenca. The large grounds include nice walking paths, sports fields, outdoor exercise equipment, playgrounds, ponds with paddle boats, a forested area, and even a “traffic school” playground for kids.

Learn more about getting around Cuenca here.

University District, South Cuenca

South of the river, Rio Tomebamba, is the newer side of Cuenca. The buildings are less charming but there is still plenty of shops, restaurants, and parks. We enjoyed walking through the Universidad de Cuenca (where the above artwork can be found on campus) and seeing the historic Benigno Malo high school.

Parque de la Madre and the Planetarium

Parque de la Madre, on 12 de Abril, was completely rebuilt in 2014. It is now a very popular family park with exercise equipment, a running track, about a dozen trees that died and were carved into unique statues, including some that also serve as park benches.

Within the park is the Planetario Municipal. Inside the domed theater, you can view projections of the solar system and other astronomical videos for free.

Museo Remigio Crespo Toral

This historic mansion was built in the center of Cuenca in the 1910’s. It was originally owned by a renowned Cuenca writer, jurist, and academic from which the museum gets its name.

Entry is free. Just register at the front entrance. You can walk through several rooms to view the houses’s original furniture and decor, records, paintings, archeological artifacts, and museum garden. There is also a nice cafe in back overlooking the river.

More Cheap Things To Do in Cuenca Ecuador

Cuenca is a great place to stay for a month or more, in which case you may be interested in taking advantage of cheap prices for non-touristy activities.

Cheap Dental Care in Cuenca – Many foreign visitors, including ourselves, have been very happy getting dental cleanings, fillings, whitening, and other dental procedures in Cuenca at a fraction of the cost for dental care in the States. Several top quality dentists speak English and can book appointments by email.

We can recommend Dr. Grace Ordonez. Cleanings are about $40 and fillings are about $70.

Healthcare and Surgery in Cuenca – Several retired expats we know have chosen to do hip replacement surgeries as well as any routine healthcare in Cuenca. There are public and private healthcare options for residents of Ecaudor, but many health and medical procedures are affordable enough to pay out of pocket.

We have personally done lab tests and visited dermatologists in Cuenca. No appointment was necessary, although there may be a line to see the doctor. A consultation and exam with an English-speaking dermatologist was $40 and prescribed medication was under $8.

Getting Massages in Cuenca – There are many masseuses in Cuenca, both local and foreign, who can provide massages at local spas or even come to your home. Skill and atmosphere can vary. Average costs are around $30 for 60 minutes, though you can find cheaper and more expensive. Check GringoPost for recommendations and promotions in English.

Getting Manicures in Cuenca – Salons, nail shops, and spas throughout Cuenca provide manicure and pedicure services. A simple manicure is about $5.

Spa Treatments in Cuenca – The most famous destination spa near Cuenca is a thermal hot spring in Baños: Piedra de Agua Fuente. In addition to thermal, Turkish, and contrast baths, they also offer massages.

Other spas in town may include facials, skin care, massages, nails, hair, and other aesthetic services. A 45-minute facial at an English-speaking spa is around $25.

How to Get Around in Cuenca

Walking is arguably the best way to see Cuenca, especially the historic centro.

You can also hop on a bus for just 30 cents per ride with a Movilizate card (available at the Terminal Terrestre station). Each bus destination is listed on a plaque in their front window.

Tranvia, the new tramway line from Parque Industrial to Rio Tarqui, is 35 cents with a tram card, $1 for a single ride purchased on site.

Bici Publica Cuenca offers a bike-share program throughout the city. However, it does require registering in person first.

For further reading: Ultimate Guide to Transportation in Cuenca

Where to stay in Cuenca, Ecuador

Since Cuenca’s real charm is in the historic center, that’s where we recommend most visitors should stay. Aim to be within walking distance of Parque Abdon Calderon.

Personally, I would also check reviews to avoid rooms facing a street with a bus route. Even the recently upgraded buses can still be pretty loud. And the number of car alarms (triggered by nothing) also seems unusually high.

See: Where to Stay in Cuenca for a more thorough review of recommended places to stay.

We have been very happy with our Airbnb apartments in the town center, which allowed us to cook two thirds of our meals and do our client work on wifi. The owners have been local residents.

More details can be found here: Where to Stay in Cuenca.

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Day Trips from Cuenca

Cuenca day trips make it a great base for exploring the southern Andes area.

Nearby towns like Gualaceo, Sig Sig, and Chordeleg are home to expert artisans and craft shops. There are a number of great places to hike, like Cajas National Park and Giron. You can even visit Ecuador’s greatest archeological site, Ingapirca Ruins, on a day trip from Cuenca.

Enjoy a guided day trip hiking in Cajas National Park >
Take a full-day guided tour from Cuenca to Ingapirca Archeological site >
Visit Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and San Bartolomé artisans with a guide >

See our detailed list of Places to Visit from Cuenca here.

Our Top Tips for Intentional Travel in Cuenca

- Try to make a local connection, whether it’s meeting a friend-of-a-friend you find through social media, staying with locals, or hiring a local guide
- Learn essential Spanish phrases, like “Do you speak English?” and use Spanish as much as possible.
- Shop at locally owned, independent businesses and purchase locally made souvenirs
- For more guidance, see: how to have authentic, meaningful travel experiences in touristy areas and our simple rules for intentional travel series.
- Find local events listed in English through Cuenca facebook groups, Gringo Post, or GringoTree listings.
- Take this article with you as your guide! Upload the article for free to your phone with the GPSmyCity app. You can also upgrade to get an offline GPS map that guides you to each location we mention. Or subscribe to access all articles and maps for a full year.
- Protect your trip with insurance – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.