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Cuenca General Tips

Tips and photos for Cuenca vacations and tourism, posted by real travelers and Cuenca locals.
Local Time 3:40 am Thursday, May 15, 2008
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good to be in Cuenca
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on March 17, 2008
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  • it was great to finally arrive in colorful Cuenca - Cuenca
    it was great to finally
    arrive in colorful Cuenca
    by richiecdisc
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    He drove fast but a lot more carefully than most South American drivers. We passed everything in front of us but generally I felt in less danger than when taking the bus! While were drove he talked to me non-stop since I was sitting right next to him while my wife slept in the back seat. I did my best to keep up my half of the conversation despite my meager Spanish and I guess I did a good enough job since he never stopped. We were making great time but I kept an eye on the map just to make sure we were indeed going to Cuenca and not being abducted. When we hit the halfway point and we still had a few hours to go, I checked the bus prices and found out not only that the trip was eight hours but also that it would have cost us $10 each. He was only trying to charge us the going rate as it turned out so I felt a little sheepish for my tough negotiation. It took under five hours and despite a few doubting moments it was a good ride through some incredible if dusty scenery. We were feeling pretty good about our survival skills but mostly it just felt good to finally be in Cuenca.

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    not really trying to hitch
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on March 17, 2008
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  • balconies are one of Cuenca's many charms - Cuenca
    balconies are one of Cuenca's
    many charms
    by richiecdisc
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    As with all colonial charmers the best thing one can do in Cuenca is wander around with no particular destination. That's how you generally find the best stuff. What's best? It's up to you.

    It felt good to be back on the Pan American Highway, even if we stood next to our backpacks waiting for the bus to take us to Cuenca. The previous day’s eerie walk down the desolate road behind us was now a somewhat comical if haunting memory. It was easy to laugh about the territorial fierce dogs now that we’d already passed them. We were quite prepared to jump on the next bus which we figured would be no more than an hour but when a car pulled over despite our not even attempting to hitchhike, we rushed over to investigate. He was going to the next town and was willing to give us a lift for a dollar. We figured it would be easier to get a bus from there to Cuenca and we had already experienced the difficulty of jumping on a bus from the road the previous day. So, we hopped in and kept our fingers crossed. Though I never hitchhike we had taken a lift out of Cotopaxi National Park when it was our only alternative and despite the reported dangers of Ecuador, we had found the people warm and friendly. Our new driver seemed pretty much the same and the car was brand spanking new as evidenced by the plastic seat covering and fresh smell. As it turned out, he was delivering the car from Quito to Cuenca and made the run a couple times a week, often picking up passengers to make the ride more interesting and obviously make some extra money. Once he heard we were going to Cuenca he was quite happy and offered to take us all the way there for $10 each. I hadn’t gotten a chance to took at the transit prices from our current location to Cuenca but remembered it to be more like $5 each so bargained hard for a price reduction. He was a bit perplexed but eventually relented to us paying $10 for both of us. (concluded below in Fondest Memory)

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    Washing clothes by the river
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  • By metteks on June 11, 2005
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  • Washing clothes by the river - Cuenca
    Washing clothes by the river
    by metteks
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    At the river of Cuenca I saw the local women and their kids wash loads of clothes by the river. When it was clean the laid it out to dry on the riversides.

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    Beautiful Scenery and People
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  • Updated By momaw on January 24, 2003
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    by momaw
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    A nice street scene in Cuenca, Ecuador.

    We met some really great people in Cuenca, went to the National Park of Cajas and just hung out. Cuenca is known for their hat making and also go to see the shop where they made the Indiana Jones hat, which is very cool.

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    Kid with a Lime in Her Mouth
  • By lemondrop on January 1, 2008
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  • Sourpuss - Cuenca
    Sourpuss
    by lemondrop
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    Canari people.
  • Updated By elsadran on May 6, 2008
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  • Canari - Cuenca
    Canari
    by elsadran, 3 more photos
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    Canaris are the main representatives of the pre-Incan population in the area of Azuay. They settled down between 500 AD and 1480 AD . They had developed a great social organisation of ethnic nobility, social division within the establishments, with the head of the social structure and the extreme priest governing. They were of great culture, knowledgeable in silver, agriculture, weaving and pottery. Today Cuenca is built in the area of their important old capital, Guapondelig. In about 1500 the Incas arrived, invaded and conquered them. Canaris were dispersed to different parts of the region but their descendants are still present in the province. Their famous open market is an opportunity for local people to gather and sell their goods. Canaris culinary art is famous with delicious dishes of meat escorted by their fresh vegetables. They mainly cook pork. For the cold winter days they drink a local specialty called “canelacito” from distilled alcohol of sugar cane and cinnamon. In a more refined version it also contains “cangoracho” which gives it a wonderful red colour. It's great! Click on the photo!


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    Graffitti
  • By lemondrop on December 31, 2007
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  • Senor Bush es muy malo! - Cuenca
    Senor Bush es muy malo!
    by lemondrop
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    Be sure to check out some of the political graffitti


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    Cuenca have also nice and...
  • Updated By Pietro_4wd on August 24, 2002
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    by Pietro_4wd
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    Cuenca have also nice and interesting architectonical attractions. Here a pretty delightful corner.

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    Check the Newspaper for nightclub happenings!
  • By wavesport on September 23, 2006
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  • I wasn't too sure where to post this, but if you're looking for what's happening in the local nightclubs, check out the El Mercurio newspaper on Friday. In the Azuay section, which I believe is section 1B, look for "Bares" which list nightclubs and their entertainment, address, hours, and any cover charge. It's a good resource to plan your Friday and Saturday night entertainment.

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    Chicklet Kids
  • Updated By lemondrop on January 1, 2008
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  • At your service - Cuenca
    At your service
    by lemondrop
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    If you have an insatiable craving for Chicklets(and who doesn't), no need to worry. These little munchkins will find you.


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    More Cuenca Tips
    Overview
         		General Tips
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 9
    Restaurants
    Tips: 25 - Photos: 19    		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 13
    Things To Do
    Tips: 65 - Photos: 58    		Nightlife
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 5
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 6    		Tourist Traps
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 6    		Transportation
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 5
    Local Customs
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Shopping
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 12    		Sports Travel
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 8

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