Downtown Cuenca

Cuenca

The old cathedral taken from the shopping mall beside it
The old cathedral taken from the shopping mall beside it
#LifeAtExpedia
There is a relatively hidden gem high in the mountains of Cuenca, Ecuador called Mirador Del Turi, accessible by rental car or bus. During our trip in April, we found the most fun adult do-it-yourself play park with this makeshift lawn chair swing! For $5 they strap you in and release you to soar high above Cuenca's city to see what it feels like to be a bird. The great thing about Ecuador is that they use US dollars, so no exchange necessary! To check out more photos of this awesome adult playground and to read more about where we ate and what we saw in Cuenca, here is the blog post: https://culturalfoodies.com/2017/11/02/cuenca-ecuador/ #cuenca #ecuador #southamerica #swing #travel
Taken from the roof; entrance fee USD2

Popular places to visit

Santo Domingo church at night, as seen from a rooftop on Park Calderon

Calderon Park

Calderon Park is just one of the places to see in Cuenca, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's riverfront or visit its cathedral.

Calderon Park
Aerial View of New Cathedral in center of Cuenca, Ecuador

New Cathedral of Cuenca

After visiting New Cathedral of Cuenca, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Cuenca. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the area's museums.

New Cathedral of Cuenca
Cuenca, Ecuador - Stairs from Calle Larga to Rio Tomebamba

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga

You can find out about the history of Cuenca with a trip to Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the cathedral in this culturally rich area.

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga

San Sebastian Plaza

Find out about the history of Cuenca with a stop at San Sebastian Plaza. Discover the museums and cathedral in this culturally rich area.

San Sebastian Plaza

Plaza Rotary Market

During your trip to Cuenca, you can enjoy retail therapy at Plaza Rotary Market. Discover the area's museums and cathedral.

Plaza Rotary Market

San Francisco Plaza Market

You can search for that perfect souvenir at San Francisco Plaza Market during your stay in Cuenca. Discover the museums and cathedral in this culturally rich area.

San Francisco Plaza Market

Things to do

Cuenca down town

Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory

￥5,478
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory
Ñami ñami.. delicious snacks in Cuenca

Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador

￥5,165
per adult
Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador
Happy group

Cajas National Park Hiking Tour from Cuenca

￥7,509
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cajas National Park Hiking Tour from Cuenca
Llamas on the trail

Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca

￥7,342
per adult
Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca
Giron Chorro Waterfall

Giron Waterfall and Busa Lake

￥8,537
per adult
Giron Waterfall and Busa Lake
Toreadora lake Cajas NP

Cajas Unveiled: A Half-Day Escape from Cuenca

￥6,255
per adult
Cajas Unveiled: A Half-Day Escape from Cuenca
See all activities in Cuenca

Downtown Cuenca Hotel Deals

Santa Lucia House - Forum

Santa Lucia House - Forum

4 out of 5
Antonio Borrero 10-91 y Mariscal Lamar Cuenca Azuay
The price is ￥11,351 per night from Feb 13 to Feb 14
￥11,351
￥12,486 total
Feb 13 - Feb 14
Stay at this hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Plaza ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (478 reviews)
Very comfortable and safe

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Santa Lucia House - Forum
Mansión Alcázar Boutique Hotel

Mansión Alcázar Boutique Hotel

4 out of 5
Calle Bolivar 12-55 Y Tarqui Cuenca Azuay
The price is ￥22,701 per night from Feb 13 to Feb 14
￥22,701
￥24,971 total
Feb 13 - Feb 14
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (334 reviews)
Great clean facilities with wonderful staff.

Reviewed on Dec 31, 2025

Mansión Alcázar Boutique Hotel
TRYP by Wyndham Cuenca Zahir

TRYP by Wyndham Cuenca Zahir

4 out of 5
Av. del Estadio y Florencia Astudillo Cuenca Azuay
The price is ￥13,896 per night from Jan 31 to Feb 1
￥13,896
￥15,286 total
Jan 31 - Feb 1
Book a stay at this boutique hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (465 reviews)
Modern, clean, good location

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

TRYP by Wyndham Cuenca Zahir
Vaway Hotel

Vaway Hotel

3 out of 5
Padre Aguirre 8-17 y Mariscal Sucre Cuenca Azuay
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Convent of the Assumption and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (108 reviews)
Hola

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2026

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Vaway Hotel
Hotel Azul de la Plaza

Hotel Azul de la Plaza

3.5 out of 5
8-64 Coronel Guillermo Tálbot Cuenca Azuay
Stay at this hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions San Sebastian Plaza and Museum of Modern Art are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (45 reviews)
The best hotel

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

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Hotel Azul de la Plaza
Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia

Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia

4 out of 5
Antonio Borrero 8 44 Y Sucre Cuenca Azuay
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ￥15,765 per night from Jan 27 to Jan 28
￥15,765
￥17,341 total
Jan 27 - Jan 28
Book a stay at this boutique hotel in Cuenca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (372 reviews)
It was a very nice place and located very close to the main plaza.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2026

Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia
See all 380 properties in Downtown Cuenca
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Downtown Cuenca

A breathtaking panoramic drone view of Cuenca, Ecuador, showcasing the city's vibrant architecture, lush green spaces, and the Tomebamba River winding through its heart.

El Barranco

While visiting El Barranco, you might make a stop by sights like Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga and Puente Roto.

El Barranco
Panoramic view of the historical center of city Cuenca at the valley with its many churches. Ecuador

Cuenca Historic Center

While you're in Cuenca Historic Center, take in top sights like Plaza Rotary Market and jump on the metro at Gaspar Sangurima Tram Station to see more of the city.

Cuenca Historic Center
The old cathedral taken from the shopping mall beside it

San Blas

If you're spending some time in San Blas, Puente Roto and Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga are top sights worth seeing.

San Blas
Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca is a beautiful city surrounded by rivers. It is widely regarded as the most European city in the country of Ecuador due to its 16th and 17th century era Spanish colonial architecture resembling cities and architecture throughout Spain.

Huayna-Cápac

While visiting Huayna-Cápac, you might make a stop by sights like Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium and Cuenca Botanical Garden.

Huayna-Cápac
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Canaribamba

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Canaribamba and surrounding area, you can visit Puente Roto and Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga.

Canaribamba
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El Vecino

Even though there aren't top sights in El Vecino, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Plaza Rotary Market. Jump on the metro at Terminal Terrestre Station to see more of the city.

El Vecino

Downtown Cuenca