Gualaquiza

Gualaquiza attracts adventurers and nature lovers deep into the Morona Santiago province. The city serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the pristine Amazon rainforest and its vast biodiversity. Visitors can hike through dense jungle trails, discover hidden waterfalls, and take boat trips on the Río Zamora, which shapes the region. Another highlight is the Tayos Caves, a mystical underground system that attracts cavers from all over the world. Meeting the indigenous Shuar culture also has fascinating insights into traditional lifestyles and medicinal plants of the jungle. The regional cuisine relies heavily on yucca, plantains, and fresh fish. Gualaquiza is best reached by bus from Cuenca or Loja. The city can be visited all year round, but the months from November to February tend to be drier and more pleasant for excursions.

Nearby cities

Cuenca

A picturesque Andean city famous for its cobblestone streets and historical churches.

Gualaceo

The gateway to the east from Cuenca, known for hand-woven ikat textiles and leather goods.

Azogues

A colonial city in the Andes known for its majestic Franciscan church.

Riobamba

Often called the Sultana of the Andes, surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.

Zamora

The center of mining and nature tourism on the edge of the southern Amazon.

Latacunga

A colonial town near the Cotopaxi volcano, known for the Mama Negra festival.

Saquisilí

Saquisilí is an authentic Andean town famous for hosting one of the most vibrant and expansive indigenous markets in Ecuador every Thursday.

Macas

The Emerald City of the East, an Amazonian settlement that was isolated for a long time.

Guaranda

The city of seven hills, nestled in the steep valleys of the Ecuadorian Andes.

History & landmarks

Chordeleg

Chordeleg is an artisan town near Cuenca, famous for its exquisite silver and gold filigree jewelry, ceramics, and shoemaking.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Dew

A spectacular church built directly into the steep cliffs above the small town of Biblián.

Alausí

Alausí is a charming heritage town in the Andes, globally famous as the starting point for the dramatic "Nariz del Diablo" train journey.

The Treehouse

A famous wooden observation deck with a swing dangling over a deep canyon near the Tungurahua volcano.

Cañar

Cañar is an Andean town renowned for its vibrant indigenous culture and its proximity to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca ruins.

Pujilí

Pujilí is a picturesque town in the Cotopaxi province, renowned for its indigenous markets and vibrant Corpus Christi celebrations.

More places

Amaru Biopark Cuenca

An interactive animal park dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Ecuadorian wildlife.

Cuenca Industrial Park

An important industrial complex in Cuenca, housing companies in the ceramics, furniture, and automotive parts sectors.

General Tire Cuenca

An important tire manufacturer in Cuenca, supplying the national and Andean automotive market.

Pumapungo

A significant Inca ruin in the heart of Cuenca that once served as a religious and administrative center.

Ruinas de Todos Santos

Archaeological site in Cuenca where Cañari, Inca, and Spanish colonial structures overlap.

Catedral Vieja de Cuenca

The first cathedral of Cuenca, which today functions as a museum of religious art.

Catedral Nueva de Cuenca

The imposing new cathedral of Cuenca, known for its giant blue domes that dominate the skyline.

Cajas National Park

A highland national park featuring over 200 lakes and many endemic bird species.