Cuenca – Ecuador

Ecuador is known for many things, but the term “digital nomad” might not immediately come to mind. For some reason, this South American country has yet to gain a reputation for digital nomadism, but as it turns out, this is actually one of the best places on the continent for getting s**t done. 

A lot of working travelers are surprised to find that the internet is fast in Ecuador, the streets are relatively safe, and the coworking community is at its strongest. Cuenca is the place to go for coworking, affordable living, and authentic culture, but Quito and Montañita are high up on the list as well. 

Ecuador is bordered by Colombia in the north, Peru in the south and southeast, and the Pacific in the West. The terrain ranges drastically from white-sand beaches to mountainous peaks, so you can easily get a little taste of everything here. There are four diverse ecosystems throughout the country, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in awe-inspiring scenery. 

Ecuador is, of course, most famous for being home to the wildly diverse Galapagos Islands, but even if you don’t make it out there, there’s a lot to see on the mainland. Whether you’re a Charles Darwin fan or you simply want to explore South American culture at its finest, it’s hard not to fall in love with this place.

Cuenca

Cuenca is the third-largest city in Ecuador (behind Guayaquil and Quito). It’s located in the Andes highlands with an elevation of 2,560 meters (that’s about 8,400 feet). With its high elevation, you can definitely expect the weather to stay chilly throughout the year, typically averaging around 15°C (about 60°F).

The best time to visit the city is between August and December since these are the months with the least rainfall. As long as you pack a jacket or light coat, staying comfortable is easy in Cuenca. There are plenty of well-stocked supermarkets in the city center – just head to Mercado 10 de Agosto for cheap groceries and takeaway food options. 

Getting There

The easiest way to get to Cuenca is to take the quick hour-long flight from Quito. There are over 42 flights per week taking this route with Latam being the most popular airline, so you’re not short on options. The other option is to take a shuttle from Guayaquil or Quito. 

From Guayaquil, the bus only takes about 3 hours and it’s around 8 hours from Quito. As is usually the case, the bus is the cheaper option, but if you’re looking for quick and easy, flying is the way to go (especially if you’re coming directly from Quito). 

Getting Around

Cuenca is a very walkable city, especially for travelers staying in the center. You can walk just about anywhere, but taxis are also super cheap. If you plan on taking day trips to see attractions that are located outside of the center, either take a taxi or bus. 

Things to Do

There’s lots to keep you busy doing your time in Cuenca. The city is home to some majorly impressive churches that clearly depict the Spanish influence mixed with Ecuadorian style. The most impressive of these is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is the largest cathedral in the area. 

Aside from church-hopping, there’s plenty of sightseeing opportunities to keep you busy. Visit the Panama Hat Museum, hike in the Parque Nacional Cajas, visit a thermal bath in Banos, or head to the best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador at Ingapirca. 

Places to Eat

One of the best things about Ecuador is that you can eat well for cheap. There are plenty of great lunch spots all over the city that will only set you back $2 to $3 per meal. For American/European style breakfast, grab an early-morning-bite at Sunrise Cafe (they have an amazing Eggs Benedict).

For cathedral views while you eat, the best spot is Raymipampa Restaurant. They have lots of Ecuadorian options that won’t break the bank. For authentic Colombian food, Moliendo Cafe is the best in the city. You can order hearty arepas for less than $5 or almuerzos for less than $3. 

Bars & Nightlife

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t spend much time exploring the nightlife scene in Cuenca, but there definitely is one if that’s what you’re after. There’s a lot of live music throughout the week, and the discos are open from Thursday to Saturday. 

Your best bet for a night out in Cuenca is heading to Calle Larga – literally translated to “Long Street”. It’s line with bars and clubs as well as a few decent restaurants that serve late-night food.