Top Things to do in Cuenca
What to do and see in Cuenca, Azuay Province: The Best Archaeology Tours
Writers and poets have long flourished in arts-oriented Cuenca, the country's third-largest city and the capital of the Azuay province. Cafes and galleries are tucked among the narrow cobblestone streets. The main plaza hosts both the old cathedral, started in 1557, the year the city was founded, and the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, dating to 1885. Locally made Panama hats get top billing at the markets, with centrally located Casa de la Mujer a shopping standout.
Restaurants in Cuenca
1. Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and San Bartolomé from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
In the tour of the artisan villages, you will visit 3 important towns of the province of azuay Gualaceo, Chordeleg, San Bartolome and in each one you will have the opportunity to know about the elaboration of some crafts such as guitars, jewelery or textiles. Also during this day you can admire the beautiful landscape of the Andes mixed with the color of the traditional "cholas cuencanas" that always wear their colorful skirts and shawls, and you will enjoy the old colonial style houses. And for lovers of local food this tour will take you to a local market to enjoy culinary delights.
Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Drinks, Tips
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
2. Private Ingapirca Ruins Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
It is the most important archaeological site of the Incas in Ecuador. Marvel at the ruins, including the only elliptical temple of the sun made of perfectly carved stones. On Sundays we include a visit to the Indigenous Cañar Market. Highlights: • Visit the largest archaeological Inca site in Ecuador and the only elliptical temple of the Inca empire • Enjoy the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes while you drive through the fertile ranchland of the countryside. • Visit the Cañar Market and immerse yourself in the traditions of the local indigenous tribes (Sundays) • See how the famous Panama Hats are woven
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Licensed tour guide/driver, Lunch (if option selected), Hotel/Airbnb pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
3. Ingapirca Archaeological Site and Gualaceo Artisan Village
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Join this small-group full day tour to Ingapirca Archaeological Complex and Gualaceo artisan village starting with pickup from your hotel in Cuenca.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch
Exclusions: Drinks
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
4. Ingapirca Ruins Day-Tour from Cuenca with Small Group
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Ingapirca is the major Inca-Cañari archaeological site in Ecuador. Explore the ruins, including the only elliptical temple of the sun made of perfectly carved stones, terraces, patios, etc. On Sundays, we include a visit to the Indigenous Cañar Market. Highlights: • Visit the largest archaeological Inca site in Ecuador and the only elliptical temple of the Inca empire • Enjoy the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes while you drive through the fertile ranchland of the countryside. • Visit the Cañar Market and immerse yourself in the traditions of the local indigenous tribes (Sundays) • See how the famous Panama Hats are woven
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Licensed tour guide/driver, Lunch (if option selected), Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off, Fuel surcharge, Lunch
Exclusions: Gratuities, Ingapirca entrance fee $2 each
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
5. Cultural tour, 3 days, INCA EXPRESS Ingapirca - Cuenca - Cajas Nationalpark
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
You will discover the best of the Southern Highlands of Ecuador: Ingapirca - the best maintained inca site in Ecuador Cuenca - UNESCO heritage city El Cajas National Park - an amazing moorland high in the Andes
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Private transportation, 2 nights in tourist superior hotel in Cuenca
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks
6. Inca-Cañari Ingapirca Ruins tour from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Pick up in your hotel and go to the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador, Ingapirca; a place where you will learn about the Cañari and Incan cultures and the different methods of construction that date back to 500 years ago!. Also in this nice tour you will visit the Incan face, an interesting mountain wich is located 20min away from the complex.Additionally on this tour you will visit the church of Biblian and a Cañari market.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch ( less in the option without lunch)
Exclusions: Drinks, Entrance fee, Tips
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
7. 4-Day Magic Tour Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños,Chimborazo, and Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 8 reviews
On this spectacular four-day tour departing from Quito, you will have the opportunity to visit several of Ecuador's tourist attractions, a combination of nature and culture, an ideal tour for people who want to walk along paths with volcanoes, lagoons, waterfalls, colonial cities, archaeological sites, indigenous markets, etc. We invite you to take this tour and Experience the authentic! Check our tripadvisor photo gallery. ONE WAY: QUITO - COTOPAXI - QUILOTOA - BAÑOS - DEVIL'S NOSE TRAIN - CUENCA
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 4 nights accommodation based on double occupancy, All activities, Driver/guide SUV (2 to 3 people) - Minivan (4 to 6 people) - Minibus (7 to 15 people), One meal of courtesy!!
Exclusions: Lunch-dinner, Personal expenses, Tips
Reviewed By _calanhiggins932
Our adventure was amazing and beautiful. A guide, Milton from Polylepis Tours, took us to the Cajas National Park. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the eco system of the Andes, local plant life, the culture of those living in the Andes, history and animal life. His personality, patience and English were excellent. The owner of Polylepis Tours even contacted me to make sure our day went well. The Cajas National Park is designated a nature and eco system preserve. The scenery is breathtaking. I’m so glad we had a guide, we learned things we perhaps never would have never learned on our own and were taken to areas others might not have known to go to. The views around Lake Llaviucu were almost heavenly as were the views at almost 14,000 ft up in to the Andes. A provided lunch was delicious. It was an amazing day!
8. Full-Day Devil's Nose Hiking and Ingapirca Ruins Tour from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 59 reviews
The train company is temporarily nor operating. As an alternative we are offering a hiking and/or biking activity in the area. We will also include a visit to the Ingapirca ruins Friday through Sunday.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Licensed tour Guide/Driver, Transportation, Lunch in local restaurant (If option selected), All taxes, handling charges
Exclusions: Entrance fee to Ingapirca $2 each, Gratuities, Bike rental $8 p.p
Reviewed By julieb1954
Best trip to the airport EVER! My driver, Wilson, was not only an excellant, thoughtful driver, he is an experienced tour guide. He pointed out geographical features throughout the trip. I learned a great deal about beautiful Ecuador. Thank you!
9. Full-Day Ingapirca Gualaceo Chordeleg
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 4 reviews
This tour allows us to know in a synthesized way the most important places of the archaeological and cultural offer of the provinces of Azuay and Cañar; our first stop is in the archaeological complex of Ingapirca, where our guides travel through the history of local aboriginal cultures and the expansion of the Incas in the territory corresponding to Ecuador. On this journey you can taste the typical gastronomic offer of the region (Biblián). We continue our tour to Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Places where the craft activity stands out. In Chordeleg we will visit the jewelry made in gold and silver with the technique of filigree, here our visitors will have the opportunity to have free time to know the town and visit the jewelers and craft shops in the area; To finish our tour we visit the House of Makanas.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch
Exclusions: Tips, Soda/Pop
Reviewed By edw177
I went as a half day trip from Cuenca with Andres. He was a friendly and knowledgeable guide. The park itself is very beautiful and definitely worthwhile to visit. But half a day does not do it justice!
10. Full-Day Tour, Ingapirca Archaeological Site and Incan mountain face from Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 6 reviews
Pick up in your hotel and go to the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador, Ingapirca; a place where you will learn about the Cañari and Incan cultures and the different methods of construction that date back to 500 years ago!. Also in this nice tour you will visit the Incan face, an interesting mountain wich is located 20min away from the complex.Additionally on this tour you will visit the church of Biblian and a Cañari market.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch ( less in the option without lunch)
Exclusions: Drinks, Tips
Reviewed By catherineagrizzard7
I took the 4 day tour with Edison in May. It was my mom and I’s first time to Ecuador and we never would have been able to see so much without this tour. Everything in Ecuador is truly incredible and on this tour you could see all the best sights in a short time. Our guide, Edison, and our driver Diego made the tour even more enjoyable as they were super fun to be around and incredibly knowledgeable of their country. They have great pride in their country and it’s obvious they love what they do. The tour has got something for everyone. I love active things and there were plenty of opportunities to challenge myself with hiking and adrenaline actives like cable cars and swings over cliffs. My mom loves learning about the culture and we got the opportunity to visit plenty of markets and learn about the natives of Ecuador. Edison really listens to you and makes sure you know that this tour is for you, they really work to make sure you enjoy their country. I’m normally never a “tour” person, I like to backpack. But I loved this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Ecuador in a short amount of time.
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