{"id":3947,"date":"2019-01-22T14:58:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T14:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wanderbusecuador.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/22\/exploring-cuenca-ecuador-culture\/"},"modified":"2021-07-19T16:05:25","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T21:05:25","slug":"exploring-cuenca-ecuador-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderbusecuador.com\/es\/exploring-cuenca-ecuador-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Cuenca, a charming city rich in culture and history"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"cuenca-ecuador-travel\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Known for its picturesque historic city center, Cuenca has become a destination for foreign retirees and is a lovely place to stop through while traveling around Ecuador.<\/strong> Like Quito, Cuenca is a high-altitude metropolis and sits at 2,550 m (8,370 ft) along the Ecuadorian Andes. In the following blog, we\u2019ll give you tips on how to get from Quito to Cuenca and what you can do while\u00a0visiting Cuenca.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get to Cuenca<\/span><\/h2>\n

Quito to Cuenca by bus:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Public transportation:<\/b> If you\u2019re traveling by bus, you\u2019ll need to leave from Quitumbe (\u201cTerminal terrestre Quitumbe\u201d)<\/a> to get from Quito to Cuenca.<\/strong> If you\u2019re staying in Quito\u2019s historic center or Mariscal district, Quitumbe is a $10-20 taxi ride (depending on the time of day) or a $0.25 trip on the Trole. However, try to avoid taking the Trole by night and always keep an eye on your possessions when you\u2019re using public transport in and around Quito. <\/span><\/p>\n

In Quitumbe, you\u2019ll find a number of bus companies that depart to Cuenca.<\/strong> The trip from Quito to Cuenca takes about 10 hours, so select a bus company that appears to have comfortable seats, although few seats will feel comfortable for an entire 10 hour journey!<\/span><\/p>\n

A few bus companies that travel from Quito to Cuenca<\/strong> are: Panamericana, Flota Imbabura, Loja International (passes through Cuenca, ends in Loja) and Cooperativa Turismo Oriental. The cost from Quito to Cuenca will vary, but expect to pay around $10 per person, and to find updated departure times, have your hostal call a bus company directly, check their websites or get to the terminal early (expect to wait quite a bit!).<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you want to skip the hassle (and safety issues) of public bus terminals? Consider hopping on the Wanderbus!<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Wanderbus Ecuador:<\/b> For a trip as long as the Quito to Cuenca route, an excellent alternative to public transportation is the Wanderbus.<\/span><\/p>\n

A number of our Wanderbus passes<\/a> take you from Quito to Cuenca,<\/strong> stopping at a few must-see destinations like Cotopaxi, Quilotoa<\/a>, Ba\u00f1os<\/a> and Riobamba. <\/span>If your travel plans aren\u2019t set in stone, you should seriously consider this option.<\/b> This way, the 10-hour journey to Cuenca will be broken up into more manageable chunks, giving you the chance to see the best of the Ecuadorian Andes and completely skip the inconvenience and discomfort of traveling on regular buses. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our Wanderbuses have established hop on-hop off locations that are close to Quito\u2019s city-center<\/strong> so that you can avoid the Quitumbe bus terminal completely. Our vehicles are also modern, comfortable, and regularly maintained. The best part is that you can adjust your itinerary along the way and get the insights of our excellent guides as you travel around. <\/span><\/p>\n

Say you fall in love with Quilotoa (highly likely) and want to hike the Quilotoa Loop<\/a>, which would take an additional 3-4 days. With the Wanderbus, you can simply hop off, hike the loop, and when you\u2019re ready to continue south, hop on the Wanderbus when it swings by Quilotoa again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quito to Cuenca by plane<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you prefer to skip the bus altogether, there are relatively cheap domestic flights that will take you from Quito to Cuenca. You can buy your tickets through LATAM Airlines and tickets will range between $50 – $150, depending on the season. Once you arrive at Cuenca\u2019s airport, Mariscal Lamar, take a taxi into the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guayaquil to Cuenca by bus<\/span><\/h3>\n

From Guayaquil, Cuenca is only around 4-5 hours away.<\/strong> Buses depart regularly from the bus terminal in Guayaquil and tickets cost around $8, though some may charge $10-11. A couple of bus companies that run this route include Cooperativa Alianza and Cooperativa Super Semeria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Things to do in Cuenca<\/span><\/h3>\n

Due to its location and history, there are plenty of things to do in Cuenca. Numerous museums and buildings around Cuenca\u2019s historic center preserve elements of the city\u2019s rich history, made accessible to all visitors. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a city along the Andes mountain range, it also offers access to the impressive vistas and natural environments in its surroundings. <\/span><\/p>\n

And, finally, as an increasingly popular destination among foreign nationals, the demand for live music and quaint cafes has also increased, making it a comfortable, and fun, destination for travellers of all demographics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of our favorite activities to do in Cuenca:<\/span><\/p>\n

Stop at a cafe, read a book, and people watch<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you took the 10-hour bus ride down from Quito, the museums can wait; you deserve some R&R. Cuenca\u2019s Parque Calder\u00f3n, as well as other plazas speckling the city, are the perfect spots to sit and people watch. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you prefer to people watch while sipping some locally produced coffee, you can do that at one of our favorite Cuencan cafes:<\/span><\/p>\n