Travel recommendations & frequently asked questions.

Travel Recommendations

Travel Recommendations

Cuenca Accommodations

  • Stay in central Cuenca – Best access to restaurants, bars, and attractions. Area pictured in map below, most visible on mobile. Airbnb is a fantastic choice.

  • Hotel Victoria – Set in a charming house with a garden and views of the city. Website

  • Floré Hotel Boutique – Set in the beautiful and colonial Historic Central district. Website

  • Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia – Set in a 19th century old house in colonial Historic Central district. Website

  • Hotel Posada del Rey – Set in the beautiful and colonial Historic Central district. Website

  • Uzhupud Gardens – Venue for wedding and pool party. We've secured a block of rooms at the Hostería (resort) at a special discounted rate for our guests. To book your stay, please follow this link for more details on our special rates and resort offerings. Uzhupud Website

    • Venue is 45 mins outside of Cuenca; transportation provided for the ceremony/reception on Saturday and pool party on Sunday (from central Cuenca). Stay tuned for transportation details!

    • As we get closer to the wedding date, we will send out a more detailed RSVP to finalize lodging and transportation arrangements.

Food

  • LaMaria – Fantastic modern Ecuadorian, great drinks. Website

  • Guajibamba Restaurant – Best cuy (roast guinea pig). Larisa’s-family-run for 20+ years. We’ll be having our welcome dinner at the new location, Larisa grew up going to the original in central Cuenca TripAdvisor

  • El Mercado – High-end Ecuadorian cuisine. Menu

  • Warmikuna – Very traditional, home-cooked meals. Chef knows my mom—tell her you know Pachi Lopez! Get the seafood peanut plantain soup. TripAdvisor

  • La Gata Desayunos – Amazing breakfast, get anything with plantains (the bride’s absolute favorite food). Near the stadium and Guajibamba Restaurant. Instagram

  • Hostal Yakumama Cuenca – Cute ex-pat brunch, kitschy vibes. Instagram

  • Fritada de Doña Marina – Best low-key traditional pork skin (cascaritas). Order hornado, fritada, tostado, mote, llapingachos, and ask for hot sauce & beer. Google Maps

  • Dos Sucres – Top farm-to-table spot, seasonal, organic, and super Cuencana. Instagram

Bars

  • Bumba Fruits and Beer – Local beer/drinks by the river, cool bar street. Facebook

  • Negroni Rooftop – Incredible view (especially at sunset!) of the Cathedral. OK food/drinks. Entrance through a department store. TripAdvisor

Things to Do

  • Catedral Nueva & Vieja – Cuenca’s most famous site. Walk to the old cathedral’s gift shop (great!) and explore nearby patios & stores. TripAdvisor

  • Turi Mirador – Best panoramic view of Cuenca. Stop at Eduardo Vega’s pottery shop on the way. TripAdvisor

  • Eduardo Vega Gallery – Great place for high-quality gifts. TripAdvisor

  • Museo Remigio Crespo Toral – Modern museum in an aristocratic house, great history and river-view café (try the mulled wine!). TripAdvisor

  • Museo Pumapungo – Pre-Inca ruins + history museum. Focus on the archaeology. TripAdvisor

  • Museum of Modern Art – Small, free museum in a historic house near a nice square and ex-pat café. TripAdvisor

  • Museo del Sombrero – Not really a museum, but great for Panama hats. Tell the owner you know Patricia Lopez's daughter. Website

Day Trips & Other Tourism

  • Cajas National Park – 20 miles (~40 mins) from Cuenca. Stunning glacial lakes, hiking, and wildlife. Stop for trout fishing and hot cocoa. TripAdvisor

  • Ingapirca – 1.5-2 hours away, scenic drive through the Andes. Pre-Inca ruins, worth doing a guided tour. TripAdvisor

  • Gualaceo & Chordeleg – 45-60 min away, small indigenous villages known for silver & woven goods. Message for food recommendations! One is on the way to the other.

  • Baños (de Santa Agua) – 6-hour drive from Cuenca, near waterfalls, thermal baths, and rivers. Visit Pailón del Diablo waterfall & the Swing at the End of the World. Stay at Samari Spa Resort. Website

  • Chimborazo – Highest point on Earth from the center of the planet! Beautiful and cold. Good side trip from Baños. TripAdvisor

Amazon Rainforest

  • Cuyabeno Reserve – Best for wildlife (pink dolphins, anacondas, monkeys, caimans). Canoe tours, jungle hikes, indigenous visits. Budget-friendly. Access: Fly/bus to Lago Agrio, then boat.

  • Yasuní National Park – Most pristine Amazon area, extreme biodiversity (jaguars, otters, macaws, indigenous tribes). Best for luxury eco-lodges. Access: Fly/bus to Coca, then boat.

  • Tena – Closest Amazon town to Quito. Best for rafting, kayaking, caves, and budget jungle lodges. Access: 7-8 hr drive from Cuenca, 4 hr from Quito.

  • Puyo – Easiest Amazon entry from Cuenca. Known for indigenous villages, waterfalls, and jungle hikes. Best for day trips, not deep jungle stays.

Galápagos & Beaches

  • Galápagos Islands – YES, THOSE GALÁPAGOS. Recommend flying into San Cristóbal & leaving from Santa Cruz or vice-versa. Isabella is perfect if you prefer something more off-the-beaten path.

  • Ecuadorian Beaches – Great whale watching & beach towns, but Larisa recommends the Galápagos, roadtripping Chimborazo & Baños, or an eco-lodge in the Amazon instead!

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Cuenca?

By Air - Cuenca has Mariscal La Mar Airport (CUE) with domestic flights mainly from Quito and Guayaquil. Driving from Guayaquil is not recommended due to recent security concerns.

What is the weather in Cuenca?

In June, Cuenca experiences cool and relatively dry weather, characteristic of the Andean dry season. Daytime temperatures range from 61–72°F (16–22°C), while nighttime lows can dip to 41–50°F (5–10°C).

Paute, home to the Uzhupud Resort, sits at a lower elevation and tends to be slightly warmer and more temperate. However, June is typically the coolest month of the year in the region, so we recommend bringing layers for comfort—especially in the early mornings and evenings.

Is Cuenca safe?

As with any country, the security situation varies by neighborhood and region. Cuenca is considered one of Ecuador’s safest cities. Still, it’s good to take precautions:

  • Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, always be aware of your surroundings.

  • Avoid walking alone at night in less busy areas.

  • Use registered taxis or rideshare apps.

Do I need a visa to enter Ecuador?

No, neither U.S. citizens nor Austrian citizens need a visa to visit Ecuador.

Is it easy to get around Cuenca?

Yes! Cuenca is a walkable city with well-preserved streets and a historic center. Other options include: registered taxis (affordable and safe), rideshare apps, tram (Tranvía de Cuenca), rental bikes, & walking.

What currency is used in Cuenca?

Ecuador uses the U.S. Dollar ($ USD). Credit cards are accepted in many places, but cash is useful for small purchases ($60 cash on-hand is recommended).

Is tipping customary in Ecuador?

  • Restaurants: A 10% service charge is often included in the bill at sit-down restaurants, especially in tourist areas. If it is not included, a 10% tip is appropriate. If service was exceptional, an additional 5% is appreciated but not required.

  • Taxis, Street Vendors and Small Cafés: Tipping is not expected, but rounding or adding a small amount for good service is common.

  • Hotels: It’s customary to tip hotel staff, such as porters ($1 per bag) and housekeeping ($1–$2 per day).