Cuenca is one of the popular Tourist Destinations in Ecuador. It is the capital of the Azuay province and offers a host of tourist attractions to visit. Cuenca is located at a height of approximately 2,350 to 2,550 meters above sea level. You are sure to enjoy your tour to this place.
Location
Cuenca in Ecuador is situated in the sierra of the Andes in the Austro. It is located in the south of Ecuador and is a mere 4 hours distance from the east of Guayaquil and 9 hours from the south of Quito. There are four rivers in Cuenca, Ecuador, namely Machangara, Tomebamba, Tarqui and Yanuncay.
Climate
The climate of Cuenca is mild throughout the year. The days are usually warm, while the nights are cool. You will need to keep warm with your jackets or sweaters. 14.6°C is the mean daily temperature. Cuenca, Ecuador has two seasons - rainy and dry. The rainy season is from January to May and you can expect sunny mornings and wet afternoons. The months March, April and May experience heavy rains. The dry season is from June to December.
Transportation
Transportation in Cuenca is very convenient. You can avail of buses from its inter-provincial bus station, Terminal Terrestre, which is located on Avenida España. There are a number of municipal buses which ply frequently. The placard, "Terminal Terrestre" on the windshield of the buses indicate the same.
Buses, which ply to the important cities like Quito and Guayaquil, operate throughout the day. They also travel to the cities and towns like Machala, Riobamba and Loja. Guayaquil lies 243 kilometers from Cuenca, and it takes around 4 hours to reach the place. The route taken is via the Durán-Pto highway. The distance from Quito is 497 kilometers and it takes around 10 hours to reach the place via the Road Pan-American South. Tourists prefer to travel by night.
The airport which serves the Cuenca, Ecuador is Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar. Situated east of the Terminal Terrestre on Avenida España, this airport is a mere 5-minutes walk from the bus station. The carriers which serve Cuena are AeroGal and TAME. These two operate regularly to Guayaquil and Quito. Icaro Air flies to Quito.
Tourist Attractions
Some of the tourist attractions in Cuenca that are a must see on your tour to the place are:
- Old cathedral
- Ruinas de todos los santos
- New cathedral, also called Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción
- San Blas
- Municipal Museum Remigio Crespo Toral
- Park Abdon Calderon
- Church of Santo Domingo
- Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion
- Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures
- Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion
- Museum of the Central Bank
- House of the Ecuadorian Culture
So, if you are planning to travel to Cuenca, Ecuador, be sure to be informed about its location, climate, tourist attractions, and transportation.
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