South America doesn’t seem to get the coverage other continents do. Perhaps that's one of the reasons we decided to move here. Anyway, after a lot of prayer and thought, we finally decided that our next home would be Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ecuador. (There's another Cuenca in Spain too, and it is a UNESCO site as well. Go figure.)
Sitting high in a valley in the Andes, Cuenca is Ecuador’s third-largest city and some would say its prettiest city. Certainly its beauty is one reason so many expats have moved to the city recently. Ever since it was founded in 1557, its colonial center, El Centro, has been inhabited. Unlike some Spanish Colonial towns, it’s not a touristy museum; it shows all the lived-in wear and tear that any place would have after all that time. And that gives it much of its character.
Why Cuenca is a World Heritage Site
UNESCO's website listed a lot of reasons for it, but basically Cuenca is a planned Spanish colonial city, planned in the mid-1500, which means Renaissance urban planning in the Americas. Cuenca has respected the original formal town plan ever since.
The various populations and cultures in the city have intermingled, so there are no specifically Spanish or indigenous areas. Cuenca is a blend of architecture from all the different societies and cultures that live here.
It is laid out on a strict grid of perpendicular streets stretching out from Parque Calderón, the main square, where the seat of the Town Council, the Office of the Governor, two cathedrals, and the Law Courts are located.
El Centro is small enough to explore on foot and still has the cobbled streets from its colonial days. Sunlight manages to reach street level because of the low buildings and wide streets …
… but El Centro is just as pretty when its cobblestones are wet from rain.
With all of the detailed woodwork on their façades, windows and doors, Cuenca's buildings are charming. No matter where you walk you'll find graceful ironwork balconies overhead.
Everywhere you look, you’ll see fine town houses and quaint market squares. UNESCO called Cuenca “noteworthy for the presence of parks, squares, church cloisters and other public areas.”
Plan:
- Cuenca's tourist website can be found here.
- Lodging: Check hotel prices at Hotels Combined or Booking.com.
- Transportation: This website shows how to get anywhere by plane, train, bus, ferry and car.
Want a unique experience?
We have had good experiences with Get Your Guide, a reputable source for booking a wide variety of local tours, attractions and activities. That's why we've chosen to affiliate ourselves with them. Find a list of Cuenca day trips and tours here.
See:
- For more sightseeing, see our Ecuador photo galleries here.
- See Cuenca from the air on Google Maps here. Zoom, scroll around and explore!
Read
Related articles on As We Saw It include:
- How to Find and Rent an Apartment in Cuenca Ecuador
- Parque Calderon: the Heart of Cuenca Ecuador
- Feria Libre: Live Like a Local in Cuenca, Ecuador
- Our First Furnished Apartment in Cuenca’s El Centro
- The Cost of Food in Cuenca, Ecuador – Here’s What We Paid
- Photos from Cuenca Ecuador: 13 Colonial Balconies
Related guidebooks on Amazon:
- Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
- DIY Cuenca Ecuador Landing Guide
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Read more about Cuenca in these Amazon books.
For more photos of Cuenca, please enjoy our Ecuador photo gallery.
Other of our Cuenca articles include:
I really loved Cuenca, not just for the beautiful architecture and abundant green spaces, but also for the laid-back vibes I got. I heard that traffic is getting increasingly worse (those roads just aren’t built for that many vehicles), which is a real pity. Hopefully Cuenca can keep up with the times without losing its unique character!
We heard that Cuenca is installing a tram. If they do, that will make a nice addition to the bus. Not sure if it will be as much of a bargain as the 25-cent bus, though.
Netx time you both make it to Spain, we’ll go to its namesake city in the arid La Mancha region. I’ve worked in the region, but never once been to its capital, which is said to be lovely.
Absolutely! We haven’t made it south of Madrid yet, and that would be a ton of fun! Have you been to Cuenca yet?