10 Best Things to Do in Cuenca Ecuador

Last Updated on 1 day by Victoria

Nestled in the Ecuadorian highlands, Cuenca is a charming, culture-rich city and a proud UNESCO World Heritage site. Like many unforgettable destinations, its allure lies in the perfect mix of culture, history, outdoor adventures, and amazing food.

We visited Cuenca for a friend’s wedding, and we hadn’t done much planning or research ahead of time. So, discovering this peaceful yet vibrant city—and all it had to offer—was a wonderful surprise.

We enjoyed our time in Cuenca so much that we wished we could have stayed longer. It’s the kind of place where you could spend weeks and still find something new to explore. But if you only have a few days, here are the 10 experiences you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

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Tea, cacao bean, and chocolate at the Cacao Museum

Cacao Museum Tasting

Cacao bean and cacao press at the Cacao Museum

Cacao Museum Tasting

Do a Tasting at Museo del Cacao

We came across the Cacao Museum by chance while we were wandering through the city’s historic center. After taking a peek at their chocolate-lined shelves and glass case full of chocolate truffles, we decided to sign up for their tasting.

The tasting is part educational (hence the name), and part experiential. Jhoana, one of the shop’s owners, guided us through both parts of the experience. She is incredibly passionate about chocolate, its history and politics, and growing practices – a passion that came through clearly during the hour + we spent with her.

Jhoana walked us through the history of cacao in Ecuador, showed us cacao beans at different stages of processing, and told us of their history as a business. The second half of the experience involved tasting chocolate in different preparations, including teas, hot chocolate, and chocolate bonbons with a variety of fillings.

We decided to do the tasting on a whim, and it ended up being one of our favorite experiences of this trip!

Tastings are available between 10 am and 1pm and cost $7. The store is open every day from 10 am to 7pm.

Learn about Panama Hats

Did you know that Panama hats actually come from Ecuador? Also known as toquilla hats, they’ve been crafted in Ecuador for centuries. The confusion about their origin began when the hats were exported to Panama and then shipped to the rest of the world from there. People mistakenly assumed they originated in Panama, and the name stuck.

There are two places you could visit to learn about hat making and purchase your own! One is the Hector Ortega Hat Factory, and the other is Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla.

Panama hats at the Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla in Cuenca, Ecuador — Hats for sale at the *Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla* in Cuenca

We went to the Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla and had a great time! The tour, which included some history on the hat making process and a demonstration, was pretty short. But given that I had absolutely no knowledge on this topic, I loved it.

Although the Hector Ortega Hat Factory is farther from Cuenca’s historic center, I’ve heard their tour is slightly more in-depth. Either option will be a great experience – take your pick!

Soak in the View at Mirador de Turi

No city tour is complete without a panoramic view opportunity! And that’s exactly what Mirador de Turi offers.

The viewpoint is about 5 km from town and can be accessed by taking the stairs, hailing a taxi, or riding the bus. We were meeting some friends for lunch, so we decided to save time by sharing a taxi.

View of Cuenca from El Mirador de Turi — View of Cuenca from the Turi Viewpoint

Once at the Mirador, take in the view of Cuenca below, surrounded by green mountains. A lot of people come up during sunset for an especially striking experience.

The area around the Mirador has a few restaurants, a huge souvenir shop, and lots of vendors lining the streets. If you’d like to continue hiking up, you can make it to the Iglesia de Turi, a white church visible from down below.

TIP: Given the altitude, it can get extra chilly up there. Bring an additional layer!

Visit Museo Pumapungo

The Museo Pumapungo (Pumapungo Museum) is a must-visit stop, and may be THE best thing to do in Cuenca. It’s the perfect place to dive into the rich cultural and tribal influences that have shaped the city. The museum features fascinating ethnographic and anthropological exhibits, along with a contemporary art collection.

View from below of the ruins of Pumapongo

Pumapongo Ruins

Pumapongo Ruins

Pumapungo itself was once an important religious and administrative center for the Incas. Today, visitors can explore its archeological ruins, stroll through a botanical garden showcasing hundreds of native plant species, and visit a bird rescue center dedicated to preserving local wildlife.

We spent two hours exploring the exhibits and the ruins, but you could easily spend half a day there!

Best of all, the museum is free to enter and is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Explore the Historic Center

Cuenca’s historic center is so charming and lovely to walk around. From its quaint shops and many restaurants to its colonial architecture, spending a few hours wandering the streets is a must.

Plaza de las Flores

Ecuador is one of the largest exporters of flowers in the world, and this small square has this specialty on full display!

Check out the various vendors and their colorful bouquets. Even if you won’t be buying flowers, they’re a beautiful sight to see.

Plaza de las Flores and the New Cathedral in Cuenca — Vendors at Plaza de las Flores by the New Cathedral

La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción de Cuenca (Nueva Catedral)

Right next to the Plaza de las Flores, you’ll find the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the New Cathedral. The cathedral was designed by a German-born friar in the late 19th century to replace the old cathedral that had become too small.

It’s known for its three blue and white domes, made from Czech tiles. The cathedral brought design influences from all around Europe, including Spanish stained glass and Italian marble.

The cathedral is absolutely stunning and worth the visit, even if churches aren’t quite your cup of tea.

Rio Tomebamba

The winding river that separates the historic center from the Cuenca’s more modern development is an iconic part of the city. Lined with bright green vegetation and rounded boulders, it’s beautiful and serene.

Take a stroll along one of the paths that line it to escape the city bustle for a few moments.

View of the Tomebamba River in Ceunca from a bridge — Tomebamba River in Cuenca

Peruse CEMUART (Centro Municipal Artesanal)

This artisan center gathers the work of artisans from Cuenca and surrounding areas in one place. If you like to bring unique gifts back for your loved ones, but are tired of mass produced souvenirs, this is a great place to shop.

There are over 80 artisans that make everything from clothing, to jewelry, art and home decor.

Try the Food

You can’t visit a new place without diving into its cuisine, and Cuenca’s food options didn’t disappoint

One of the best food experiences we had in Ecuador was at Tiesto’s, which serves hearty, beautifully presented Ecuadorian dishes. The name of the restaurant refers to the tiesto de barro, a clay dish used to dry roast coffee beans and grains.

Dessert plate decorated with the image of a cholita Cuencana at Tiesto's in Cuenca — Dessert plate decorated with a cholita Cuencana at Tiesto’s

While it’s a bit pricey by Ecuador’s standards, everything we had was absolutely amazing. If you have one nice meal in Cuenca, this should be it!

Farther from the town center, but highly recommended is Mi Oya Cafeteria. It’s a great palace for lunch, with traditional Ecuadorian dishes and very reasonable prices.

Another option is Le Petit Jardin, which combines Ecuadorian and French influences to deliver rave-able meals. What makes this restaurant unique is its charming location and beautiful garden.

Take a Day Trip

If you happen to be staying in Cuenca for more than a couple of days, I highly recommend you take a day trip to experience the broader region! These are the best day trips from Cuenca.

Parque Nacional El Cajas

The rugged landscape of Parque Nacional El Cajas is less than an hour away from Cuenca. The park is dotted with green, rocky mountains and has over 700 lagoons!

You can get to the park via a tour, arrive by bus or with a rental car. Once at the park there are tons of hiking trails for all experience levels. You’ll have the chance to see wild horses and llamas, and maybe even a rare spectacled bear, puma, or condor.

Ingapirca Ruins

If you love ancient civilizations, just 50 miles from Cuenca you’ll find Ingapirca. The Ingapirca archaeological complex was originally built and occupied by the Cañari, until they were eventually conquered by the Incas. The site became a symbol of the empire’s power, and as such was a center for religious, political, scientific, and military activity.

While most of the site consists of stone foundations, some of the structure of the Temple of the Sun remains. In this elliptical structure you can admire the handcrafted volcanic rock, made to fit so perfectly as to not require mortar.

The complex is open Wednesday to Sunday, and the cost of entry is $2.

Baños de Cuenca

Love thermal baths? The small town of Baños de Cuenca, known for its hot springs, is just 7 miles from Cuenca. You can easily get there by bus or taxi in just a few minutes so this could easily be a half-day-trip, rather than a full day ordeal.

There are a range of thermal bath options from budget to luxury. On the higher-end side, there’s Piedra de Agua, which offers a comprehensive range of spa services. Novaqua is a great mid-range option, which offers fewer spa services at a lower price.

Best Time to Go to Cuenca

Cuenca is known for its year-round temperate, spring-like weather, so there really isn’t a bad time to be there.

That said, the warmest months are January through May, with the months of March, April, and May also being the rainiest.

June through September is considered the cool, dry season. We visited in August and wore short sleeves and pants most days, with the occasional layer for the evening and higher altitude locations (like Mirador de Turi).

September through December is known for its moderate temperatures and light rain.

A Note on Altitude: Cuenca’s elevation is 8,517 ft (2,596 m), which contributes to the city’s beautiful year-round weather. It also means that UV rays are strong and you should take it easy the first few days to reduce the chance of altitude sickness.

Where to Stay

Cuenca’s attractions and restaurants are primarily located in or near the city’s historic center, which also happens to be very safe both during the day and at night. If this is your first time in the city, this is probably where you’ll want to stay.

These are some highly rated accommodation options at different price points in the historic center.

Itza Hotel Boutique $$$ | An elegant, upscale hotel for the luxury-minded traveler. It offers the services and amenities of a 5 star hotel and the convenience of a downtown location. Guests especially appreciate the quality of the meals and service.

Pepe’s House Cuenca $$ | This hotel offers a variety of rooms for different budgets, including rooms with balconies and family rooms. The location is central to Cuenca’s main attractions, and with airport transfer and bike rental offerings getting around the city is that much easier.

Posada Todos Santos $ | A centrally located hostel, ideal for the traveler looking to rest at the end of a long day. Guests like the well-equipped kitchen, friendly staff, and peaceful atmosphere. Rooms are 4-bed mixed dorms.

How to Get Around

Cuenca is extremely walkable, especially if you’re staying near the historic center. To reach the attractions that are slightly further afield, taxis are abundant and cheap and an overall great option.

For those of you who never pass up the chance to use public transportation, Cuenca also has an efficient bus system and a light rail line that runs from the airport through the historic center. The Intentional Travelers bog has a super in-depth guide to public transit in Cuenca you can check out to learn more.

Is Cuenca safe?

Extremely! Cuenca is a very peaceful city. We noticed people strolling around both during the day and night and never felt unsafe.

Take general precautions, like not walking around with huge amounts of cash. But given that this is a small city, you don’t really have to worry about pickpockets and scams as you would in larger cities.

Final Thoughts

Cuenca is an incredible city with so many amazing things to do! Even though it is slightly removed from other popular tourist destinations in Ecuador, it’s worth a visit!