Cuenca Travel Guide
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442km (274 miles) S of Quito, 250km (155 miles) SE of Guayaquil, 254km (157 miles) S of Riobamba
Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city, but it feels much more like a charming small town. UNESCO designated Cuenca a World Heritage Site in 1999. Once you're here, you'll immediately understand why. Much of the city's colonial architecture remains intact. Even before the Spanish arrived here, however, Cuenca was the second-largest city in the Inca empire (after Cusco). The foundations of former Inca palaces later became foundations for the city's churches. Amazingly enough, before the Incas conquered the area, the Cañaris, a mysterious culture from no one knows where, lived in the area. The Incas used stones from the Cañaris structures to build their palaces.
Visitors to Cuenca will be treated to a quick history lesson. Many of the museums here are dedicated to the city's rich past. The Museo del Banco Central sits right next to the archaeological site, Pumapungo, which was an Inca palace. Not only can you see artifacts on display in the museum, but you can also put all the pieces together as you wander around the site. A few blocks away, the Todos Los Santos archaeological site literally symbolizes the three layers of history -- in one single area, you will see structures with Cañaris, Inca, and Spanish influences.
One day is enough to explore all of Cuenca, but you'll need another couple of days to enjoy the surrounding area. Ingapirca, Ecuador's most impressive Inca ruins, are only 2 hours away; Cajas National Park, which is full of scenic hiking trails and peaceful blue lagoons, is an hour north of the city.
