Destination guide: Cuenca

About Cuenca

The Tomebamba river runs through this peaceful old Ecuadorian city that has a colonial air about it, dividing it in two. The northern part of the city houses the historical center with its maze of streets and endless colonial churches. To the south, you'll find residential areas, malls and wide avenues.

Known as the "Athens of Ecuador", Cuenca is the third most important city in the country and is 450 kilometers south of Quito. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.