Just go, C!
I'm Charity, a proud auntie, wine lover, semi-nerd, and dreamer who can't stay in one place for too long.
This past month that I've spent in Cuenca has gone by like a snap of the fingers. I had a sneaking suspicion that I was going to like this place after all that I'd seen and heard about it, but I was still surprised at how quickly I settled in. Cuenca has become something of an expat haven in recent years, due to its not-too-overwhelmingly-large size and modern conveniences, its temperate climate, the friendly locals, and the affordability of the cost of living. It was just voted this year as South America's Leading City Break Destination by the World Travel Awards. Indeed, Cuenca has a lot of attractive features that would inspire anyone considering a trip to South America to put it on their list of must-visits. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with this little city, and I'll tell you some of the reasons why! Reason #1: The Cathedrals Roman Catholicism was introduced during the Spanish colonization period, and remains as Ecuador's most important religion with nearly 80% of the country's population identifying as Roman Catholic. Though one wouldn't necessarily say that Ecuador's economy is one of the world's strongest, one need only look at its cathedrals and churches to understand where the financial priorities seem to lie. The oldest church in Cuenca was built in 1557 and is a museum today. You can take tours of most of the local churches; the more popular ones for tourists like the "Old Cathedral" and the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (a.k.a. the "New Cathedral") will cost $2-3 to tour. The hours for admission are generally 9am - 5pm during the week. Reason #2: The Architecture I didn't think anything could ever top my enchantment with worn French colonial architecture, but Spanish colonial is definitely giving it a run for its money. I had the fortune of staying right in the historical center of Cuenca, which gave me daily eye candy and caused me to spend much of my walking commutes out and about with my mouth agape. The historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, for good reason. In addition to the Spanish colonial architecture, you can easily see neo-classical and baroque styles as you stroll throughout the historic center. Reason #3: The Big, Beautiful Doors I first realized my obsession with doors, arches, and other such entryways when I took my first trip abroad to Ireland in 2014. Ever since, I've made a point to note stand-out doors and entryways, and get a little giddy every time one catches my eye. There is an abundant supply of ornate, elaborate, and unique doors in Cuenca and it has made me incredibly happy. It's the equivalent of driving along a country road and seeing a horse; no matter how old or educated you happen to be, you always shout out to no one in particular, "HORSE!!" Yeah, that's me when I see a beautiful door. Reason #4: The Food I'm not going to elaborate on this one right now, because I'm planning an ENTIRE POST dedicated solely to the Ecuadorian foodscape. You must understand, I love food so much that I want to make sure it gets its own special shining moment in my blog. I'm sure you get it. Reason #5: The Rivers It's not commonly known, but the full official name of the city of Cuenca is (take a deep breath): Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca Quite the mouthful, hey? Basically, there are four major rivers that join up in and around Cuenca, which add a lot of beauty to an already-beautiful city. One of my favorite things to do in Cuenca is to walk along the sidewalk that runs alongside the Tomebamba River on a nice day. Other fantastic things to see and do in Cuenca: Visit the Pumapungo Museum and the Ruins This has been one of my favorite museums to date, despite the fact that all of the displays are in Spanish (Hey, good practice, right?). They have an amazing collection of Incan and Canari ethnographic artifacts, as well as a large section of modern art devoted to local artists. Just outside the doors of the museum, you can walk through the Pumapungo Ruins which are a nice sample of what life might have been like during the years of Incan civilization. You can see what remains of religious buildings, storage facilities, and aqueducts. It's a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Take the Cuenca Hop On/Hop Off Tour OK, I know some people think these things are overly touristy and cheesy, but honestly, I think it's a great way to get a feel for a city and take note of places that you might want to visit later on. You can hop on at the northern side of Parque Calderon (the city's main square), and for $8, take a tour of either the northern or southern route of the city. The southern route will take you to Turi, which has a magnificent viewpoint of the entire city of Cuenca. There is also a swing just up some stairs that will allow you to "swing over Cuenca", adding a little adrenaline rush to your view, if you're better at dealing with heights than I am. Take some Spanish classes Despite the fact that many English-speaking expats live in Cuenca, it is still a city for the locals, and as a result, most people speak Spanish and very little to no English. It wouldn't hurt to brush up on those classes you took many moons ago in high school. I enrolled in a four-week program at a local school called Yanapuma, and it was a great experience. I still have a lot of Spanish to learn, but I learned a little more every day, and what better way to get your practice in than to immerse yourself in a Spanish-speaking culture? Plus, I have no doubts that having a little Spanish under my belt will come in handy in the future, too. Buy a Panama hat Many locals will be quick to correct you if you ever use the term "Panama hat" in front of them. Indeed, it is misleading, because these hats were originally woven in Ecuador beginning in the 16th/17th centuries. They were shipped to Panama to be sold to gold prospectors who weren't used to the heat of the Central American sun. They shot up in popularity when Teddy Roosevelt was photographed wearing one when he visited the construction site of the Panama Canal. There are several family-owned shops in Cuenca that sell the real deal, and a few places will even walk you through the process of making the hats. They are not terribly expensive; you can buy a good quality hat for around $25-30. Visit La Calle de Las Herrerias This neighborhood used to be the boundary between the city and the country, where local farmers and peasants would bring in their goods by horse for selling and trading. Later, this area was settled by blacksmiths and iron workers for many years. Today, there are still family-run shops that sell ornaments and metal décor, but many people seem to go for the food nowadays. There are several small cafes set up in front of the shops that sell several Ecuadorian favorites like tamales, humitas, quimbolitos, coffee, and hot chocolate. There is a small park at the end of the street that showcases a beautiful statue which pays tribute to the neighborhood's heritage. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cuenca, and I can already see myself coming back for another visit in the future. It has so much to offer anyone who is traveling independently or with spouses and families. Please comment or message me if I can help you plan a trip to the beautiful city of Cuenca!
28 Comments
Nita
9/21/2018 05:19:34 am
Loved reading all about Cuenca and your experience there Charity.
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Charity
9/25/2018 07:36:11 pm
Thank you, Nita! PS I miss you very much. xoxo
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AuthorHi! I'm Charity. I'm from Omaha, Nebraska, USA. I quit my job in October 2016 to travel the world. Archives
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