For those looking for diversity, diversion and rest for a short period of time, Cuenca has many advantages to offer as a tourism destination.

As a World Heritage City, it possesses characteristics that make it unique for its architectural beauty and tangible and intangible cultural assets.

In fact, one can conveniently visit numerous places of attraction as they are concentrated within walking distance of each other in Cuenca’s Historic Centre, one of the best preserved in South America.

Here one observes the enchanting details that make this city a destination with great personality: buildings of colonial or neoclassical style; artisan workshops that seem frozen in time; a flower market considered the best in the world of its type; picturesque squares that embellish spaces where nature bursts forth in the centre of the city.

The city presents a very unique scenic beauty as it is crossed by four rivers.

An area of special interest is the river bluff overlooking the banks of the Tomebamba River, which crosses the city from west to east.

Here architecture and nature are harmonically fused, thus creating a unique and unrepeatable landscape.

One also finds here archaeological vestiges of the pre-Columbian inhabitants who settled these territories and whose imprint contributes to the great richness of Cuenca’s mestizo culture.

But in addition to the wide range of cultural possibilities that Cuenca offers, there are multiple options to fully enjoy nature.

A few kilometres from the city one can find moors, mountain forests and sub-tropical valleys where, in addition, enchanting towns with markets and crafts can also be found.

Those who like adventure have access to all kinds of extreme sports in a setting of beautiful Andean scenery, while those who prefer total rest to renew their body and mind can partake of the soothing hot springs, which flow from a volcanic fault located just a few minutes from the centre of the city.

The ideal complement to a day of adventure or rest is to enjoy the varied offering of nightlife available in the city.

There are options for everyone’s taste, from symphony concerts to live musical presentations in bars and restaurants.

The city’s rich cultural life can also be seen at night with performances of theatre, dance and artistic exhibitions.

In addition, Cuenca possesses a great culinary tradition that is associated with its holidays and customs.

The combination of Andean and European ingredients has resulted in a special culinary fusion, which delights both locals and foreigners.

With regard to offerings of hotel accommodations, the diversity of styles and rates of Cuenca’s hotels allows visitors to choose the establishment that most suits their tastes, needs and budget.

Furthermore, Cuenca has a great potential for organizing events of all types, and the appeal of many beautifully restored heritage buildings of the Historic Centre makes the difference at the moment of selecting spaces with charm and originality.

For all this and much more, Cuenca is the perfect destination to enjoy all that is representative of Ecuador and in just a few days: ancestral culture, heritage architecture, diversity in nature, majestic scenery and above all, friendly people who love their traditions and are disposed to offer the visitor an unforgettable cultural experience.

More Information

Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca is located in an Andean valley of Ecuador.

This city is the capital of the Azuay province, with the provinces of Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe to the east, while Guayas and El Oro are to the west.

Its territory area is 8,639 square kilometres and its population is approximately 810,000 inhabitants.

Find out more about visiting the city on the official tourism website.

Cuenca has been nominated for the titles of South America’s Leading City Break Destination and South America’s Leading City Tourist Board at the upcoming World Travel Awards Latin America Gala Ceremony.

The event will take place at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Mexico, in September, with voters able to make their voices heard here.