Things to do in Cuenca

Top Things to Do in Cuenca

Things to Do in Cuenca


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Cuenca.


Top Attractions in Cuenca

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
History Museums
The Museum and Ancestral Park of Pumapungo, are the two main elements that conform the cultural complex administered by Ecuador's Culture and Heritage Ministry in the city of Cuenca. These are public spaces, open to a variety of cultural activities, projects, and initiatives, that have a very profound meaning for Cuenca's citizens. Pumapungo Museum has a lot of different components. It has seven temporary exhibition rooms were a wide diversity of exhibitions are produced: art, history, photography, sculpture are some of them. It also has an archeology exhibition room - site museum, where the development of society is explained through time, as well as the Inca occupation and findings at the Pumapungo archeological site. In addition, the museum exhibits the national ethnography room, where Ecuador's multicultural diversity is displayed through vivid representations of every day's life, dresses, instruments and images. The museum also counts with a library and historic archive; both open for free and open access from the public, art, archeology and ethnography reserves, which are available for students as well as for national and international investigators. In total, the complex conserves around 160.000 cultural and heritage goods. Another important component of the cultural complex is the Ancestral Park. There are three main elements: The archeological park, where visitors can appreciate the remains of the once most important administrative, military and religious center of the northern part of the Inca Empire; the Ethnobotanic park, with more than 230 species of native Andean plants and trees, this space has become the last native ecological niche in the center of Cuenca, and it is the reason why it is visited by more than 30 local species of birds daily. The park is also a very important space for educational activities aimed at illustrate ancestral knowledge and traditions. The bird rescue center is the last element of Pumapungo's Ancestral Park. At the moment it contains about 200 birds of around 25 species. It complements the whole educative content of the park, as this animals are filled with significance and myths of our ancestors. We work together with the Ministry of environment to fight against the illicit traffic of native species. In this area we cure and feed the birds that are brought by the competent authorities. After the birds have reached its optimal shape, we coordinate its liberation in the birds original environment. Shamefully, in most of the cases, this liberation process is not possible, as the birds have suffered from irreversible injuries, and conditioning of their behavior. The park has a full time 13 people team, that carry the traditional knowledge needed to attend all of its areas. Biologists, veterinarians, agronomic engineers, are amongst them.
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What travellers are saying

  • Weezi2013
    Toronto, Canada68 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a gorgeous place!

    My spouse and I drove here from Cuenca in our rented car. We were lucky enough to snag a parking spot in the small lot at the Lake Torreadora Ranger Station; there were many cars that had to park on the side of the highway. On the weekend, people go to hang out by the lake, where you can picnic (it did not feel at all crowded, however).

    There is a small visitor centre with a cafeteria on site, but otherwise no restaurants in the park, never mind lookouts - except for Mirador Tres Cruces up the road. That is too bad because the views from the highway are fantastic and worth the drive even if you don't go for a hike. We did find a charming small restaurant called El Senor Cajas outside the park by the side of a small lake - it has a wood-burning fireplace and the best hot chocolate! You have to drive past the park "exit" to find it.

    My spouse and I are both in our earlyish 60s - he was able to do the Lake Torreadora trail (Trail #1) in about 1.5 hours but found it moderately challenging, likely because of the altitude; he is otherwise reasonably fit.

    I had had two knee replacements in the 15 months before our visit (one at 8 months pre-trip) and found even the first section with its wooden steps and a boardwalk challenging despite having trekking poles (although I did manage to go a little bit beyond the end of the boardwalk and stop for pictures - that took me the same amount of time it took my spouse to complete the trail!). I found the stairs steep and the altitude made me breathless despite having been in Ecuador for about 9 days (including Quito, Banos and a couple of days in Cuenca).

    Trekking poles also help with navigating the steps and boardwalk at the Mirador.

    It was cold and windy the day we went - so go prepared with layers, a warm jacket, a wool hat and light gloves. Also a packed lunch if you want to eat on the trails.

    Not too many flowers blooming in February but it was still very special even on a cloudy day and it was great to see the paramo up close.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders
    Cambridge, Canada328 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This cathedral is a spectacular specimen of places of worship, architecture, Roman Catholic artifacts and rituals and religious art.

    Located beside the Parque Calderon, the cathedral is always busy. Thousands of people come and go through the cathedral daily. The size of it alone is impressive and requires sufficient time to absorb the numbers of nooks, niches, art and artifacts.

    If you're there on a Sunday, spend some time sitting in Parque Calderon to people watch after they've been to church. You'll see families dressed in their Sunday best, children enjoying ice cream, grandmas celebrating their birthday and people just sitting on the benches enjoying the weather.

    We didn't take the tour of the upper stories or the roof but we will next year when we're there. Be sure to photograph the domes at night as well as the day. There are plenty of rooftop restaurants that give you the best photographic advantage.

    Don't miss this historic site.
    Written 10 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • scottchamberlin
    Seattle, WA74 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are walking paths along both sides of the river for most of its length through the city. The water appears clean with only occasional bits of cloth or plastic, far less than what would normally be seen in an urban setting.
    Written 8 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carmen L
    Orlando, FL9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a beautiful plaza to visit in Cuenca and is within easy reach when visiting the city. The weather in Cuenca is wonderful which makes walking around the city very pleasant.
    Written 16 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Susan I
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were able to see many animals, we heard and saw a glimpse of the bear. You definitely need comfortable footwear. It's very rustic which is it's charm. We are in our 70's. We sat and rested but made the whole zoo. 5 hrs. It would have been nice after we ate and rested to have a shortcut to the end. We were glad to to it but once 2as enough.
    Written 12 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mary S
    Santa Cruz, CA29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Museo Pumapungo offers visually rich, well curated displays. Exhibition design encourages absorption in and reflection about peoples' experiences, from pre-Inca to present day, through realistic reconstructions.
    Written 27 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mabel C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Mirador Turi in Cuenca, Ecuador, is recognized for offering a stunning panoramic view of the city, highlighting the majesty of its iconic buildings and the natural beauty of the surroundings. With its strategic hillside location, this viewpoint has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, seeking to capture the essence of the charming colonial city of Cuenca.
    Written 23 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • michael c
    Stockholm, Sweden1 081 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    the city of Cuenca is littered with churches, this is one of many, but certainly worth a visit then here.
    Written 15 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lies1970
    Pourrieres, France31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice museum ( dont go if You are not able to translate with your phone or don t know any Spanish). Check out the numismatic submuseum downstairs. Backpacks to be handes in at the entrance. Like all museums in Cuenca they ask Some questions for visitors statistics.
    Written 1 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mary S
    Santa Cruz, CA29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    El Museo de las Conceptas offers a fascinating look into the life of nuns. The exhibits are well curated, with Spanish explanations.
    Written 27 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adventure beyond imagination
    Munich, Germany14 739 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful place to admire different orchids from Ecuador. Unfortunately the choice and tour to visit the farm is limited due to pandemic. It would be great to have some in vitro for home in Europe.
    Written 30 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GaryBrazel
    Brooklyn, NY538 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had been in Equador for 3 weeks and hadn't bought a single art piece or souvenir. Also a couple of months ago I had visited Africa, Madagascar and Wales for 67 days and also hadn't bought anything. But seeing the beautiful ceramic here I wound up buying six pieces. Exquisite ceramics are here and they are well worth their prices.
    Written 20 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.