Population: 350,000
Location: South-central location of Ecuador--situated in the
Andes
Cuence
is considered by many to be the most charming city in Ecuador!
UNESCO declared Cuenca to be a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Upon arrival, the reason will be clear. The city offers a dazzling
array of Spanish colonial architecture. A walk through the heart
of the city is a delight. You will find lovingly restored marble
and whitewashed colonial buildings, towering churches and cathedrals,
all while walking down narrow and winding cobblestone streets.
Cuenca truly has an old world feel to it.
Please note that additional
info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the right of this
pages. 
Cuenca was formerly an important city in the Inca Empire,
second only to Cuzco, Peru. The city was conquered by the Spanish
in 1533 and shortly afterwords became an important Spanish colonial
center. Today the city is the capital of the Azuay Province
and is the third largest city in Ecuador.
Cuenca
is the perfect destination for travelers who want to get away
from the big city hustle and bustle of Quito. Daily life in
Cuenca is much more tranquil than Quito, and in general one
finds the inhabitants of Cuenca to be more conservative than
those in Quito.
The city is home to an impressive array of museums and art
galleries, and is considered the most important center of art
within the country. If you want to purchase traditional items
such as ceramics, paintings, clothing and jewelry, Cuenca should
be high on your list of places to visit in Ecuador.
Cuenca is also a jumping off point to many interesting site
of interest. Nearby one can visit the Inca ruins at Ingapirca,
explore small Andean villages, hike mountains, discover streams
and lakes or get into the rainforest.
Whatever reason you may have for coming to Cuenca,
you will not be disappointed!
