Places to Stay in Cuenca: Visit the Incan Ruins

Traveling to Cuenca, Ecuador you will experience one of the most beautiful historical cities in the world. Culture is maintained here with cathedrals and churches that are prime examples of colonial buildings. Founded in 1557, Cuenca is a crossing point for four rivers and is nestled among low hills.

When meandering through the cobblestone streets, you will pass the Inca Gardens containing some of the most unique plants used for medicinal purposes as well as for eating. The Inca Gardens are located riverside. While on your walk, you will also have the pleasure of seeing the La Merced church, the blue domed Cathedral and Calderon Park.

While deciding on one of the many beautiful places to stay in Cuenca, you will not want to miss a drive to the Turi Hill. From this vantage point you can get the most panoramic view of Cuenca. This city of 300,000 has managed a feat not accomplished by many. The modern has mixed with the atmosphere of a small city to retain age-old cultural traditions and colonial architecture in a magnificent way.

Since Cuenca is a city with strong traditions, you will find 13 museums located here. The exhibitions are versatile enough to appeal to everyone who chooses one of the unique places to stay in Cuenca while visiting Ecuador. From sculptures to artifacts that were used daily, the wide range of items on exhibit are a glimpse into the past of the people who lived in this area of the world.

Another place you must visit is the El Cajas National Park. Located a mere 40 minutes from Cuenca, this park has more than 200 lakes that were originally formed by a glacial valley. This is the chance to see many of the natural inhabitants of this area such as white tail deer, hummingbirds, condors, partridges, hawks and tapir just to name a few.

While looking for places to stay in Cuenca you will find one of the choices to be a restored house that was built in 1859. Santa Lucia is in close proximity to all the main attractions in Cuenca of a cultural nature. Churches and stores are nearby making it handy for visitors. This hotel features 20 rooms and has a restaurant that serves International as well as Ecuadorian cuisine.

Only an hour away is the Ingapirca (Wall of the Inca) Incan Ruins. Possibly the most interesting part of these ruins is the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun). This is ellipse-shaped and has a green diorite stone that fits perfectly. Diorite stones are normally coarse-grained and dark in color.

If you want to know more about the Ingapirca, there is a museum that can give the visitor more detailed information about the ceremonies and life as it existed in the past.

Another of the places to stay in Cuenca is the Mansion Al Cazar. This is a colonial mansion that has been restored and is near many of the places you will want to see while visiting Ecuador’s many museums, stores and art galleries that are indicative of the 19th Century. Enjoying the time you spend in this area of Ecuador will be one of the highlights of your vacation.

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