The main Oficina ITur (Tourist Information Office) in Cuenca is located on Mariscal Sucre, at the southern end of Parque Calderón. The office provides maps, travel information, sightseeing recommendations, and assistance to visitors.
In this section, we highlight just a few of the many wonderful places to explore and activities to enjoy in and around Cuenca.
The museum’s exhibits are impressive, and the collection of shrunken heads is a must-see! The ground floor houses an art museum featuring modern art, religious paintings, portraits, and folk art. Upstairs, you’ll discover fascinating exhibits exploring Ecuador’s Indigenous history and culture, including a remarkable collection of shrunken heads associated with the Shuar people of the Amazon rainforest.
In the lower level, a money museum showcases coins and currency dating back to the mid-17th century.
The museum also periodically hosts symphony concerts and ballet performances in the Banco Central Auditorium. Admission to these performances is usually free, making them an excellent opportunity to experience Cuenca’s vibrant cultural scene.
Corner of Calle Larga and Huayna Cápac.
Located directly behind the Museo del Banco Central, Pumapungo Archaeological Park is a beautifully maintained green space featuring landscaped gardens and fascinating archaeological ruins. The site is believed to have been home to an Inca palace or administrative center. As you explore the grounds, you’ll discover underground tunnels, irrigation canals, and other ancient structures that offer a glimpse into Inca life and civilization.
The park also features hundreds of plant species believed to have held significance for the Inca and Cañari cultures. Nature lovers will enjoy the native Ecuadorian bird sanctuary, home to a variety of truly remarkable birds. And, adding to the charm of the setting, you may even spot llamas grazing peacefully on the grounds!
Corner of Calle Larga and Huayna Cápac, behind museum.
This extraordinary historical museum, named after a celebrated Ecuadorian poet, is an absolute must-see! Housed in the poet’s former residence, the museum is impressive in its own right, but the magnificent historic home is equally captivating. The building’s architecture and elegant interiors make exploring the museum a memorable experience.
The exhibits trace Cuenca’s rich history, from its founding to its independence. You’ll find an extensive collection of pre-Columbian and Indigenous artifacts spanning thousands of years of regional history, along with colonial and 20th-century paintings and sculptures. Other highlights include elegant Louis XVI and Victorian furniture, historical costumes, and fascinating personal and family belongings.
Spread across several floors, the museum also features lovely terraced gardens shaded by magnolia and walnut trees. Before you leave, stop at the on-site café, where you can relax and enjoy beautiful views overlooking the river.
Calle Larga 7- 07 y Borrero.
This highly unusual museum is an avant-garde art space that embraces counterculture and challenges conventional ideas about art, religion, and society. On certain evenings, it even transforms into a nightclub, adding another dimension to its unconventional character.
The museum explores the darker and more controversial aspects of human nature, including death, religion, sexuality, fear, and mythology. Its collection features provocative paintings, sculptures, and objects that deliberately push cultural boundaries and challenge traditional sensibilities.
This is definitely not a museum for the prudish or easily offended! Among its more startling exhibits are skulls, coffins, a guillotine, a doll cemetery, satanic-themed sculptures, angels in bondage, and various sexual objects. Some displays are particularly provocative, including a crucifix depicting Jesus with an erection and a fountain featuring a woman urinating.
If you’re looking for something completely different from Cuenca’s traditional museums, this one offers a fascinating, if sometimes shocking, experience. It’s worth a visit if you’re open-minded and comfortable with art that pushes the boundaries of good taste and convention.
Calle La Condamine 12-102. East end of Santos Street, between Calle Larga and the river.
https://prohibidocc.wordpress.com
The Museo de la Medicina chronicles the evolution of healthcare in Ecuador, from pre-Hispanic and colonial times through the republican era. It houses a fascinating collection of historical medical and surgical instruments, equipment, and tools, some dating back a century or more.
On the first floor, you’ll find vintage dental equipment, including some rather unsettling old teeth. The second floor features everything from antique X-ray machines to an old-fashioned birthing chair in which women’s legs were strapped into position during childbirth. You can also see the computers doctors used decades ago, offering a glimpse into just how much medical technology has advanced.
Some exhibits are downright creepy, including the preserved, mummy-like body of a three-year-old boy. Between the primitive equipment, uncomfortable-looking procedures, and unusual specimens, this museum offers a fascinating—and occasionally unsettling—look at the history of medicine.
You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for modern healthcare and a profound sense of gratitude for being born in the 21st century!
Ave. 12 de Abril, between Hospital Militar and Edificio San Vicente de Paul.
The Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno (Municipal Museum of Modern Art) is an important cultural destination in Cuenca, showcasing modern and contemporary art from Ecuador and beyond. Its permanent collection includes more than 600 works by prominent Ecuadorian and international artists, ranging from paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed-media installations.
Housed in a historic building with several beautiful patios, the museum offers a charming setting in which to explore an ever-changing variety of exhibitions. You’ll find everything from more traditional works of art to innovative multimedia presentations featuring film and other contemporary artistic expressions. With its rotating exhibits, there’s often something new and unexpected to discover with each visit.
The building itself has a fascinating history. Over the decades, it has served a variety of purposes, including a shelter for people struggling with alcoholism, a men's prison, a home for the elderly and orphans, and a maternal aid center. Today, it has been transformed into a welcoming cultural space where art, history, and architecture come together.
Mariscal Sucre 15-27, San Sebastián Square.
The Museo de las Culturas Aborígenes is a privately owned archaeological museum that, despite its relatively small size, is widely regarded as one of Ecuador’s finest museums dedicated to its pre-Columbian heritage. Its impressive collection features an abundance of artifacts spanning thousands of years, offering a fascinating look at approximately 15,000 years of Ecuadorian history before the Spanish conquest.
The collection traces the development of ancient civilizations, beginning with early Paleolithic and Neolithic stone tools dating back to around 13,000 BCE and continuing through the rise of the Inca Empire and the arrival of the Spanish. The exhibits are arranged chronologically across 15 rooms, making it easy to follow the evolution of the region’s early cultures.
You’ll discover a remarkable variety of artifacts, including primitive tools, intricate jewelry, musical instruments, pottery, and religious objects that offer insight into the daily lives, artistic achievements, and spiritual beliefs of the people who inhabited this region long before modern Ecuador existed.
If you’re interested in archaeology, ancient civilizations, or the rich cultural heritage of Ecuador, this museum is well worth a visit. It’s a pleasant and rewarding way to spend a couple of hours discovering the fascinating history of the region.
Calle Larga 5-24, between Hermano Miguel y Mariano Cueva.
The Eduardo Vega Gallery is a ceramic art gallery and studio located atop El Turi Hill, near Cuenca’s famous Turi viewpoint. It showcases the work of renowned Ecuadorian ceramicist and muralist Eduardo Vega, featuring a colorful collection of original ceramics, from hand-painted tiles and tableware to decorative jars, sculptures, and elaborate murals.
Visitors can browse the beautifully crafted pieces on display, admire the artist’s distinctive designs, and purchase unique ceramic creations to take home as souvenirs or gifts. The gallery’s vibrant colors and artistic displays make it an especially enjoyable stop for anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship and ceramic art.
A must-visit for lovers of ceramics and pottery! The gallery offers the added bonus of spectacular panoramic views of Cuenca, making it easy to combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Turi viewpoint. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy both the city’s scenery and the work of one of Ecuador’s most celebrated ceramic artists.
Via Turi 201, 50m before Turi Church. 5- or 10-minute taxi ride from el Centro.
http://www.ceramicavega.com
The Ingapirca Ruins are Ecuador’s largest and best-preserved pre-Columbian archaeological site, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Cuenca in Cañar Province. This fascinating complex offers a glimpse into the region’s ancient civilizations and the remarkable architectural achievements of the people who lived here centuries ago.
The site reflects the blending of two distinct cultures: the indigenous Cañari civilization, which originally established the settlement known as Hatun Cañar, and the expanding Inca Empire, which later occupied and developed the area. Evidence of both cultures can still be seen throughout the archaeological complex.
Much of the site consists of stone foundations and partially preserved structures, so a little imagination is needed to picture what the settlement once looked like. Hiring a knowledgeable guide is highly recommended to help bring the ruins to life and explain their historical, cultural, and architectural significance.
The undisputed highlight is the remarkable Temple of the Sun, a beautifully preserved, rounded structure that dominates the complex. Built from precisely cut green andesite blocks fitted together without mortar, the temple is famous for its unusual elliptical shape and astronomical alignment with the sun. It is widely recognized as the only known elliptical Inca temple in South America and is an impressive example of Inca engineering.
The older Cañari section of the site has a distinctly different architectural style, featuring rounded river stones bonded with mortar. This area also contains evidence of ancient burial practices, including a tomb that offers further insight into the region’s early inhabitants.
Getting There from Cuenca
The easiest and most convenient way to visit Ingapirca is to join a guided day trip from Cuenca. Tours typically include transportation and a guide who can explain the history and significance of the ruins, making the experience much more rewarding.
Alternatively, you can take a public bus from Cuenca’s Terminal Terrestre (main bus terminal). The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, depending on the service and road conditions. Once you arrive, you can hire a local guide, although arranging an English-speaking guide in advance is advisable.
If you have the time, Ingapirca is well worth the trip. Its fascinating blend of Cañari and Inca history, impressive Temple of the Sun, and beautiful Andean setting make it one of Ecuador’s most significant archaeological attractions.
Cuenca’s newest “mega-park,” located on Avenida 12 de Octubre, is a beautiful, modern recreational space with something for the whole family. One of its standout features is a tall observation tower offering panoramic views of the city.
Children will love the many attractions, including tall slides and interactive water fountains where they can splash and cool off. Families can also enjoy picnics using the park’s designated public BBQ and grilling stations. Buildings throughout the park provide space for shops and food vendors.
For those looking for more active pursuits, the park offers a canopy zip line, a bicicross track, suspended footbridges, and scenic paths for walking and running.
Weekends are especially lively, with local families gathering to enjoy the outdoors with their children—and often bringing along the family dog. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours enjoying the fresh air, outdoor activities, and community atmosphere.
This is the main square in Cuenca’s historic city center, featuring geometric walkways, beautifully manicured gardens, colorful flower beds, and majestic old trees that provide welcome shade. At its center stands a bronze monument honoring Abdón Calderón, a young hero of Ecuador’s War of Independence.
The square is a peaceful yet lively gathering place where locals and visitors alike relax on benches, watch the world go by, and enjoy street snacks while soaking up the atmosphere of the historic center.
Throughout the year, the square hosts frequent festivals, cultural celebrations, and entertainment. It is especially lively on Sundays, when local families gather with their children to enjoy this beloved public space.
Parque de la Madre is a popular riverside green space nestled along the scenic Río Tomebamba, just a short distance from Cuenca’s city center. Conveniently, the park is almost directly across the river from the condominium.
Lively, well-lit, and pedestrian-friendly, the park attracts joggers, families, and locals looking for a relaxing break during the day. It is also a favorite spot for walking the family dog while enjoying the riverside scenery.
For fitness enthusiasts, the park offers a three-lane track for walking and running, outdoor exercise equipment, a combined soccer and basketball court, and open spaces where free fitness and dance classes are often held.
Children can enjoy dedicated play areas and playground equipment, while visitors of all ages can admire the park’s collection of wooden sculptures. The park is also home to a planetarium, adding an educational attraction to its many recreational offerings.
In the evenings, the park takes on an especially lively atmosphere, with groups gathering for music-filled dance and exercise sessions. Concerts, cultural performances, and other community events are also held here throughout the year, making Parque de la Madre a wonderful place to experience Cuenca’s active outdoor lifestyle.
Parque El Paraíso is Cuenca’s largest urban park and one of its most picturesque, covering approximately 40 acres. Located in the north-central part of the city, where the Tomebamba and Yanuncay rivers converge, this beautiful green space offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life. It is situated next to the Wayra Plaza shopping center.
The park has something for visitors of all ages. A small lake offers paddleboat rentals, while sports enthusiasts can enjoy athletic fields, outdoor exercise equipment, and extensive walking and cycling paths. Families will appreciate the children’s playgrounds, spacious grassy areas perfect for picnics, and even a miniature driving course where kids can practice their driving skills.
Food and snack kiosks are scattered throughout the park, selling local treats, refreshments, kites, and bubble-blowing kits to keep the little ones entertained.
Parque El Paraíso is an ideal destination for a leisurely Sunday outing. Whether you want to stroll along the paths, enjoy a picnic beneath the trees, rent a paddleboat, or simply relax and take in the scenery, it’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours enjoying Cuenca’s natural beauty.
The Jardín Botánico is a public botanical garden dedicated to plant conservation, scientific research, and environmental education. This expansive, 52-acre garden is located between the Yanuncay and Tarqui rivers, stretching from the 3 Puentes area to near the Gapal Bridge.
Visitors can explore a network of paved and elevated walking paths, with informative plaques identifying native plants and medicinal species. The garden showcases approximately 8,000 plant species, ranging from bushes and shrubs to lush forests, high-altitude páramo landscapes, and wetlands.
A scenic 1,000-meter walkway takes visitors through vegetation representing Ecuador’s diverse natural environments, offering a glimpse into the country’s remarkable botanical diversity. The garden also features a small canal where ducks and other waterfowl can be spotted.
Whether you are interested in nature, photography, or simply enjoying a peaceful walk outdoors, the Jardín Botánico offers a lovely opportunity to discover Ecuador’s rich plant life in a tranquil natural setting.
Planeta Azul is a popular family-friendly water park and resort located in Gualaceo, approximately 24 km (15 miles) from Cuenca. Set amid the region’s beautiful mountainous landscape, the park offers a fun-filled escape surrounded by lush greenery and scenic natural views.
The park features multiple outdoor swimming pools, including heated pools for children, along with large water slides and a variety of aquatic attractions suitable for different ages. Additional amenities include a restaurant, a food court, a bar and lounge area, and a children’s playground, making it easy to spend several hours enjoying the facilities.
Gualaceo itself makes a wonderful day trip from Cuenca, known for its charming town atmosphere and traditional crafts. Combining a visit to the town with an afternoon at Planeta Azul is an excellent way to enjoy a family outing, especially if you’re traveling with children who love swimming and water slides.
Amaru Bioparque is much more than a traditional zoo. Serving as both a wildlife attraction and an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, it is home to an impressive variety of animals from Ecuador, South America, and across the Americas. Residents include rescued lions, pheasants, Andean condors, bears, big cats, monkeys, crocodiles, and numerous other reptiles. Visitors can also explore walk-through bird aviaries and a beautiful butterfly garden.
Perched on a steep mountainside at approximately 2,610 meters (8,563 feet) above sea level, the zoo offers spectacular panoramic views of Cuenca. However, exploring Amaru is also a hiking adventure! Rather than strolling along flat, paved walkways, visitors follow a winding, twisting trail through rustic, naturalistic animal habitats spread across the mountainside. The route covers a little over a mile, with the full visit typically taking two to four hours, depending on your pace and how much time you spend observing the animals.
The combination of wildlife encounters, mountain hiking, and breathtaking city views makes Amaru a unique outing—part zoo visit, part nature hike. The views overlooking Cuenca are particularly impressive and alone make the trip worthwhile.
A word of advice: Wear comfortable hiking shoes or sturdy athletic shoes with good traction. The steep, uneven terrain can be challenging, so be prepared for an uphill workout. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and make a day of this memorable Cuenca attraction!
Baños is a quiet, scenic village known for its natural thermal springs, located approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of Cuenca—a 15- to 20-minute drive from the city center. The area’s geothermal activity heats underground, mineral-rich waters, which are brought to the surface and cooled to comfortable bathing temperatures.
Several thermal bath facilities offer opportunities to unwind in naturally heated pools, swim in cooler water, and enjoy saunas and traditional Turkish baths. With pools of varying temperatures and relaxing spa facilities, Baños is a popular destination for locals and visitors looking to escape the bustle of the city and spend quality time with family and friends.
One of the area’s more luxurious destinations is Piedra de Agua, a beautiful, full-service spa offering a range of treatments and relaxation experiences. Depending on the season, special promotions may be available, including two-for-one deals or discounted packages on select days. You can easily spend an entire day here enjoying the thermal pools and pampering yourself with spa treatments. It is generally the most expensive and upscale option in Baños. For a more budget-friendly experience, several other thermal bath facilities in the area offer basic pools for just a few dollars.
Getting There: Baños is accessible by both public transportation and taxi. Bus Line 12 takes approximately 40 minutes from downtown Cuenca, with stops throughout the city, including near the Terminal Terrestre on Calle Vieja. Get off at the Hostería Durán stop. Alternatively, a taxi offers an inexpensive and convenient way to reach the village.
Whether you prefer a luxurious spa day or a simple soak in warm thermal waters, Baños makes an easy and relaxing half-day or full-day excursion from Cuenca.
The Cuenca sightseeing bus is a popular open-air, double-decker bus offering panoramic views of the city and an easy, enjoyable way to explore its historic landmarks, modern neighborhoods, and scenic viewpoints. Most tours depart from Parque Calderón, directly in front of the Old Cathedral.
The panoramic city tour passes more than 20 notable sights, giving you a wonderful overview of Cuenca’s history, architecture, and culture before returning to the starting point. Several tour options are available, featuring different routes and attractions. Some operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis, allowing you to get off at selected cultural or scenic stops, explore at your own pace, and rejoin the tour later with your ticket.
A complete tour typically takes about two hours. Buses operate regularly throughout the week, including weekends, although departures may be less frequent on Sundays. Best of all, tickets cost only a few dollars per person, making this an affordable way to discover the city.
A word of warning: Keep your eyes—and ears—open while enjoying the views from the upper deck! When you hear the guide’s whistle, duck! The signal warns passengers about low-hanging electrical wires ahead. It’s a quirky but important part of the Cuenca sightseeing bus experience!