Ecuador travel
Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Explore the tourist attractions of Ecuador.
El Barranco (Ravine) of Tomebamba River
The Tomebamba River Ravine is the natural southern limit of the Historic Center of Cuenca (Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO). The ravine is part of a bio-corridor with unique characteristics that crosses the city. In this place, history and culture are united with the landscape and architecture. The Viceroy Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza ordered, in the middle of the 16th century, that the city of Cuenca be founded with the same name as his hometown in Spain. At present, both cities are sisters and both have a ravine with similar qualities. The Tomebamba’s Ravine has an extension of two kilometers. It begins in the Vado neighborhood and ends in the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park. It is possible to walk along the Ravine in an integral way, by any of the two margins of the river. But along the margin of Paseo Tres de Noviembre, you can also travel the ravine by bicycle. Points of interest in the Tomebamba’s Ravine, for postcard photos, along the way are: the Casa de los Arcos, the descent of the Centenario Bridge, the Ordóñez family house, the old Hotel Crespo, the Remigio Crespo Museum, the CIDAP (Interamerican Center of Popular Arts), the stairs of the Parque de la Madre, the church and neighborhood of Todos Santos, the Broken Bridge and the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park. Through several pedestrian and vehicle bridges, the historic city on the side of the Tomebamba River Ravine, is linked to the new city on the other side of the Tomebamba River. A relatively recent place is the Alameda 12 de Abril, a tree-lined walk that allows one to observe and photograph the Tomebamba River Ravine from a greater perspective, while walking between the Centenario Bridge and the Todos Santos Bridge. A romantic myth idealizes the Tomebamba River Ravine. There is a belief that its landscape and nature are an inspiration for poets, musicians, photographers, lovers and visitors. But without a doubt those who enjoy walking it, marvel at its hanging houses, the abundance of birds and the diversity of species of trees and plants. It also attracts the tranquility provided by the sound of the waters of the Tomebamba River. Today it is possible to stop the walk and enter one of the bars or restaurants open in the area to enjoy excellent food, a refreshing drink and beautiful panoramic views of the new city. The Barranco is a must see in Cuenca. It allows the realization of sports, artistic or outdoor activities. During the 70's and 80's of the 20th century a trade was developed in the Tomebamba River Ravine, the washerwomen. Women who went down to the riverbank to wash clothes. Another typical activity that was lost due to the over exploitation of the resource, is fishing. Decades ago, during the season, the people of the valley would come down by the thousands to the ravine to collect fish from the river waters. The Tomebamba river is the city's main water resource. It is born in the lagoons of the Cajas National Park, a source of drinking water. The Tomebamba River is a tributary of the Paute River where, downstream, in the middle of the Eastern Andes, the largest hydroelectric dam in Ecuador operates.
307.93 Km.
San Sebastian Church & Square
The church and square of San Sebastian constitute the western limit of the Historical Center of Cuenca (World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO). They are the main points of the historic neighborhood of the same name, in the urban parish of San Sebastian. The San Sebastian neighborhood is traditionally full of popular trades: pottery, tailoring, carpentry, tile-making, buttonhole making, painting. Tourism has a remarkable development with hotels, restaurants and cafeterias installed in heritage houses. The charm of its church, the park and an intense cultural life due to the presence of the Museum of Modern Art are the main attractions. There are craft workshops such as the embossing workshop of the master Carlos Bustos, several craft shops and bakeries. Recently, in a corner of the park, there is a restaurant owned by a Cuenca-Belgian couple that offers beer produced in the town. Every year, on December 24th, the "Pase del Nino Viajero" (The Traveler Baby Jesus), a traditional parade celebrating the birth of Jesus, starts from San Sebastian. The church, on the outside, has a single tower that dominates the facade. This is an unusual feature in religious architecture. Its main door is made of carved wood, with reliefs of the Bible's testaments. A large dome also stands out in the structure of the church. The interior of the Catholic temple is divided into three naves, separated by wooden columns. The space is quite sober, without as much detail or decoration as in other similar buildings in the city of Cuenca. On the corner of a small square in front of the temple's facade, at the intersection of Calle Bolívar and Calle Coronel Tálbot, stands the Cross of San Sebastián. Formerly this cross was the mark of the end of the city and the departure point towards the west. There are news of the church and its corresponding sector since the first years of Cuenca's foundation. It was a hermitage or small church of Fabián and Sebastián, saints and martyrs. As the centuries passed, the name of Fabián was abandoned, leaving San Sebastián as a traditional "Indian parish". Racial and social separation established by the Spanish colonizers to name a place that concentrated humble but necessary trades for daily life. The San Sebastian park is located next to the church. It has an ornamental pool and an interesting variety of trees and plants. The park is ideal for short walks, to rest and breathe fresh air. In its centre is the bust of the poet Miguel Moreno. In front of the park, on the opposite side of the church, is the Museum of Modern Art. Two historical events took place in San Sebastian Park. The first was the murder of the doctor Juan Seniergues, a member of the French Geodesic Mission (a scientific mission to measure Earth’s circumference), in 1739, during a bullfight. The second event are the first football matches in Cuenca, which were played there at the beginning of the 20th century. The geometric layout of the square, which has Renaissance influence with parterre gardens in the Versailles style, is attributed to Octavio Cordero Palacios.
307.97 Km.
San Sebastian Craft Beer Brewery
The beer culture of Belgium has its sanctuary in Cuenca, Ecuador. A small establishment in the San Sebastian Park, is cozy and ideal for a refreshing beer or fast food: "Jodoco Belgian Bistro". The place is the result of a dream. The Ecuadorian-Belgian couple formed by Paola and Carlos arrived in Cuenca in 2012 and set up the tavern. They sell handcrafted beer made by the brand Derijcke Cerveceria following Belgian recipes. The name of the bistro and beer bar is a tribute to Fray Jodoco Ricke, a Franciscan religious of Flemish origin, founder of the Escuela Quiteña de arte. He built the Convent and Church of San Francisco, created the San Andrés School of Arts and Crafts and planted wheat for the first time in South America. He started the first brewery in Latin America. He arrived in Quito in December 1535. The traditional drink of Belgium is beer. Jodoco Bistro, located in a historical and pleasant environment, invites you to discover flavors and atmospheres from the other side of the Atlantic. Its tables are located overlooking the park and the church of San Sebastian. It is a bohemian place, with surprising culinary wonders: the cheese or meat tapas. San Sebastian Square is characterized by its tourist development with the Museum of Modern Art, the Larrazábal Gallery and service places such as restaurants and hotels. It also has a place in the history of Cuenca. In 1739 Jean Seniergues, a doctor from the French Geodesic Mission, was lynched there. In 1820, the patriots of Cuenca who rose up against Spanish rule on November 3rd retreated there. An artisan beer is brewed with its own recipe by a master brewer. That's why it has a different taste to the industrial one. Of limited production, it pays attention to flavors and textures. It does not contain artificial elements, the fermentation is natural and the flavors are the result of the mixture of water, malt, hops and yeast; fruits, spices and herbs can be added. Flavor combinations depend on consumer requirements. It offers quality, diversity and personal attention.
308.01 Km.
San Luis Seminary
The San Luis Seminary, built in Republican style, is another of the emblematic buildings that surround the block of the Central Park or Abdón Calderón de Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Also known as Major Seminary or Seminary College, it is a symbol of the influence of the Catholic Church in this city. It is administered by the Curia. In the center of the building there is a beautiful chapel, with reserved access. At present the Seminar’s rooms are mostly occupied by restaurants, cafes and craft shops. There is a Catholic radio station, offices of the Laity Pastoral and training rooms. From its main courtyard, the domes of the New Cathedral have a different, magnificent perspective. The Seminary represents a time of economic boom and important changes of the 19th century. It was the new image that the city assumed, due to the introduction of European models of architecture. The export of toquilla straw hats was booming and with the resources it generated, monumental works like this Seminary were undertaken. Construction began in 1867, under the direction of Mera from the capital city of Quito and the Frenchman Grevilliers. They introduced in its design the traditional portals. The San Luis Seminary occupies a complete block between Bolivar, Benigno Malo, Santa Ana and Padre Aguirre streets. For a long time, the building was the only center of higher education in the city. It was home to educational institutions such as the San Luis School, the only one in its time in Cuenca, to the Borja School and to the Catholic Educational Community. In 2013 this jewel of the region's architecture was on the verge of disappearing, due to a fire. The Ecuadorian state took charge of its restoration. Today, completely restored, it is the center of intense social, cultural, commercial, artisanal and gastronomic activity.
308.04 Km.
Cloister and Wood-Turning Lathe of El Carmen
The facade of the Cloister and Church of Carmen de La Asunción is one of the most interesting places in the Historical Centre of Cuenca (World Heritage Site by UNESCO), due to the colorful images it generates together with the Flowers’ Market. The order of nuns of El Carmen or "Carmelitas Descalzas" (Barefoot Carmelitas) was established in the city of Cuenca in the year 1682. The Monastery occupies the inside of the block opposite where the New Cathedral stands today. The most representative feature of this cloistered monastery is the wood-turning lathe, which is fitted into a hole in the wall next to the entrance door to the convent. It is used to pass objects from the outside to the inside and vice versa, without the people who give or receive them being seen. In other words, the lathe is an intermediary object between the cloister and the outside world, the means of communication between the contemplative and profane life. A few steps away from the wheel is a picture of the "Lord of Justice", which the Catholic faithful use to ask for divine intervention when they believe that earthly justice has failed them. People come to the wood-turning lathe to ask for spiritual advice. On the lintel of the entrance door to the monastery one can read "This is God's house and the door to heaven". People also go to the wood-turning lathe or to the humble shops next to the entrance of the house, in search of artisan products made by the Carmelites with medicinal plants and flowers, which they cultivate in the gardens of the cloister. They have a natural apothecary's shop. The "agua de pítimas" is the most popular. After drinking it people ask for a "piti más" or a little bit more. Other products are: red, white, blackberry and passion fruit wine, radish syrup, multivitamin syrup, lotion for muscle aches, pigeon jelly, lemon cream, cakes and snacks. The convent houses mural paintings, the most important in Cuenca and one of the most outstanding in America, sculptures and an enormous cliff or birthplace of Jesus. It is an authentic museum of religious art. The Carmelites are in charge of preserving the image of the "Traveler Child ", a sculpture of the newborn Jesus, and they also embroider his clothes by hand. This representation of Jesus Christ as a child presides every year, on December 24th, over the Pase Mayor or "Parade of the Traveler Child". The construction of the Church of Carmen began in 1727. It has a portal with Solomonic columns. It is small, with only one nave.
308.06 Km.
Santa Ana Colonial Street
Santa Ana Street, flanked in all its extension by the moles of the New Cathedral and the old Seminary, is the exact point where the city of Cuenca began its development, half a century ago. On the 12th of April 1557, a small group of 30 people, gathered in what was the only street of the place, next to an irrigation channel, solemnly founded the city, which is now a World Cultural Heritage Site. Unfortunately, the memory of the street fell asleep. The space of this one was occupied during decades for other tasks. Abusive characters ended up walled up by means of arbitrary measures and it became the extension of an educational center, during a large part of the 20th century. Fortunately for the history of the city, Santa Ana Street, named after the mother of the Virgin Mary, was rehabilitated for pedestrian traffic. It is a beautiful cobbled passage in the middle of the block, connecting from east to west Benigno Malo Street with Padre Aguirre. For the people of Cuenca, the street is a symbol of identity and of the rich heritage of the city. Reopened in 2017. Since then it has quickly become an important tourist attraction in the Historical Centre. Those who decide to walk through it must do so slowly. This is the only way to capture details such as the stained glass windows, the exposed brick or the sculptures of the New Cathedral on one side; the offers of shops, restaurants, cafes and the architecture of the old Seminary on the other side. During the restoration of the street, two archaeological windows were opened, for the observation of vestiges, like the first drains of the Cathedral or an old well. The latter was converted by the citizens into a "hole of desire". They throw inside it coins of different denominations or letters.
308.06 Km.
Calderon Park (Central Park) in Cuenca
The Calderon Park, since the foundation of the city four and a half centuries ago, is the heart of Cuenca, the central point of its social, political and religious activities, or a silent witness to its most relevant historical events. It has been called Abdon Calderon Park since 1932, when the cast bronze statue of the "Héroe Niño" was located, which is eternally guarded by the giant Chilean araucarias, planted in 1875 by former president Luis Cordero. Its name evolved with the city, called Plaza Pública at the beginning of this one, then it became Plaza Grande or Mayor, Plaza Principal y de Armas, Plaza Vargas Torres at the beginning of the 20th century. Its benches are a meeting place for retirees, students or all kinds of walkers. It is a working place for photographers, street musicians, craftsmen, shoe shiners, newspaper and magazine sellers. Its gazebo is the stage for various cultural and political events or the secret accomplice of lovers. It is also famous for its portals that offer shelter from the rain or a hot sunny day or the design of its trees and flowers in geometric flower pots. The marble facades of the Palace of Justice and the New Cathedral stand out in the Park. Every year it is the venue for authentic popular festivals. The first established with the Cuenca Foundation is the "Septenario" in the month of June - 7 days of celebration in honour of the Body of Christ or "Corpus Christi" - which is manifested by the sale of sweets in traditional stalls on the paths around the park, fireworks called "castles" and "mad cows" or the raising of hot air balloons. Thousands of citizens gather every night, for 1 week, to watch the show. The second one is known as "El Pase del Niño Viajero", which takes place every December 24th. Center of the power, the Park in its surroundings lodges the main public buildings of political, judicial, religious, cultural and commercial institutions: the Old Cathedral, the house of the Family Ordóñez Mata, the Governor's Office of the province of the Azuay, stores Juan Eljuri, Vatex Galleries, Tosi House, the Old Seminary, the New Cathedral, the House of the Culture, the notaries, the Municipality of Cuenca, the Superior Court of Justice, BanEcuador. In recent years, the Calle Santa Ana, which is part of the original layout of the city, was reopened to tourism.
308.08 Km.
Santa Ana Cathedral of Cuenca
It is said that the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Cuenca, Ecuador, is as big as the faith of the “Cuencanos”. It is also called the New Cathedral or simply the Cathedral. It is a catholic temple and the largest building in the city of Cuenca, which is World Cultural Heritage declared by UNESCO. Legend has it that when Bishop Miguel León ordered its construction, at the end of the 19th century, he would have expressed "I want a cathedral as big as the faith of my people". In the city of Cuenca, the third city in development of the Republic of Ecuador after Quito and Guayaquil, the religious fervor of its citizens can still be seen today. In its Historical Center more than 25 churches can be counted, sometimes up to two by each neighborhood, which is why it is also called "the city of the clergymen". The particularity of the presence of two churches in the same block or neighborhood is manifested in the Central Park of the city. In front of the New Cathedral there is the Old Cathedral. From its tower, the Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission of the 18th century would have made the measurements that led the establishment of “metro” (meter) as a universal measure. The construction of the New Cathedral began in 1885 and ended 90 years later in 1975. It constitutes the great architectural attraction of Ecuador because of its size, at the same level as the Basilica of the National Vote in Quito city. The blueprints of the temple were designed by John Baptist Stiehle. Its two main towers have a characteristic truncated finish and one of the best panoramic views of the city. The cathedral marks the heart of Cuenca city, where 4 UNESCO’s awards coincide: the city’s historic center, the toquilla straw hat or "Panama hat" and the Camino del Inca (Inca Trail), which are World Heritages, plus the vast massif that includes the territory of the city which is a Biosphere Reserve.
308.09 Km.
Metal Embossing Workshop by Carlos Bustos
The Carlos Bustos Embossing Workshop is located in the urban parish of San Sebastian, just a few steps from the main square of the main historical sector of the city of Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In this section of Coronel Tálbot Street it seems that time has stopped. Low houses, made of adobe (a clay-based building material), many of which remind us of the city of yesteryear. In this workshop, with the craft technique of embossing, they work on sheets of different types of soft metals, leather or other ductile raw materials, in order to achieve reproductions of images in relief. Carlos Bustos comes from a family of tinsmith artisans. His father and brother were dedicated to this trade. But he, 40 years ago, decided to go his own way. He was a student of the artist Edgar Carrasco, from whom he learned the basics of art and working with metals. When he gained experience, he decided to open his own workshop. The work begins with drawing what he wants to do. Then with his hands and a lot of care, he uses simple tools to do his job, such as screwdrivers transformed into profilers, hammers, brushes, rollers. An embosser resorts to the technique of the "negative", by means of which, with the forms drawn backwards of the plate of chosen material, that settles on a soft surface and little by little, by means of a progressive deformation of the worked surface, the relief is obtained. Finally, he turns the piece over and outlines the details to define the shapes. Bustos is a tireless creator and owner of infinite patience. In his workshop the most varied objects are exhibited, well decorated: crosses, paintings, masks, lamps, lanterns, candlesticks, animal figures, mirror frames, among others. His favorite materials, because of their low cost, are aluminum, brass and tin. The prices of his embossings vary according to the time it took him to make them and their size. The visitor can ask for a test of skill in this place: to make his own embossing. If you are in a hurry to visit Cuenca, you might miss this charming place. Attention to detail is necessary, as the workshop is small and can go unnoticed between the Museum of Modern Art and the staircase leading down to the Plaza del Otorongo.
308.09 Km.
Modern Art Municipal Museum (MMAM)
The Municipal Museum of Modern Art (MMAM), has a prestigious and solid cultural background. It is located in the Historical Center of Cuenca (Ecuador), a UNESCO World Heritage city. The Museum temporarily exhibits modern art works by contemporary national and foreign artists. The rooms of the Museum are permanent headquarters of the International Art Biennial. Its reserve holds a large pictorial collection, which has been growing for 40 years. In addition, the Museum runs a program of activities and dissemination of art, dedicated to children, youth and older adults. The Museum was inaugurated on August 1, 1981. It was Hernán Crespo's initiative to recover the house from its destruction and restore it. The history of its use over the years is curious. Bishop Miguel León ordered its construction in the 19th century, as a refuge for alcoholics or "Casa de la Temperancia” (House of Temperance). It later served as a men's prison, nursing home, children's home, work school, and health center. The architecture of the building is old, with institutional purposes. Its doorway is in the neo-Gothic style. The interior is organized around an old chapel, in the center of the Museum. Around it there are several courtyards with portals. The chapel has a mural painting by Nicolás Vivar where a large painting with the parable of the prodigal son stands out. The First International Painting Biennial of Cuenca was inaugurated in 1987 in the Museum of Modern Art. It was conducted by Eudoxia Estrella, the first director of the MMAM. The Museum has an Art Reserve. It offers the service of workshops. The Information Office displays a collection of posters of the exhibitions held and the library specializes in art.
308.09 Km.
Cuenca's Old Cathedral & Museum
The Old Cathedral or Iglesia del Sagrario is an emblematic building in the Historic Center that marks the south-east corner of Calderon Park. It is considered to be the oldest building in Cuenca. The church was planned since the very moment of the city’s foundation in 1557, when the original layout designated a block of land to build it. Its foundations were built with carved stones from the Cañari-Inca city of Tomebamba. Some milestones are part of the history of this church. For example, the building work took three and a half centuries, between extensions, adaptations and ornamentation works, always counting on the contribution of the city's inhabitants. It was finished in 1924, with the mural painting of the artist Nicolás Vivar. Another important event occurred in the 18th century, when the French Geodesic Mission of 1736 used the church’s old tower to measure the arc of the earth's meridian. A commemorative plaque, attributed to the Colombian sage Caldas, says "Tower more famous than the pyramids of Egypt", in reference to the Geodesic Mission. The first public clock was installed in the bell tower overlooking Sucre Street in 1751. And the first bellows organ in the city, which still exists today, was mounted in the church choir in 1739. Another very singular fact is that Cuenca is one of the few cities in Ecuador, if not the only one, that has two cathedrals one in front of the other: The New or Immaculate Cathedral and the Old Cathedral. For some decades the Old Cathedral stopped being used for regular religious services and after its most recent renovation in 1999, it became a Museum of Religious Art and a place for concerts and cultural events. Its art collection includes sculptures by Miguel Vélez and Gaspar Sangurima and paintings by Daniel Alvarado, Nicólas Henriquez and Rafael Vivar. In addition, it is possible to admire the original model of the New Cathedral, work of Juan Baustista Stiehle, exposed in one of the chapels of the Church and through an archaeological window it is possible to observe the ossuary in the subsoil of the temple. In the house of the canons there is a permanent exhibition of old photographs of Cuenca. The Old Cathedral offers guided tour service for visitors.
308.10 Km.
Islote los Ahorcados en Puerto Lopez - Manabi - Ecuador
The "Los Ahorcados" Islet is made up of two small islets located 2.2 kilometers west of Ayampe. No geological information is available, but making a correlation with the emerging materials on the continent, it is assumed that these islets are composed of volcanic rocks, represented by diabasas doleritas, pyroxenites and basalts. The islet consists of three amorphous rocky bumps that arise from the same base. "Los Ahorcados" can alternatively be classified as a "diving area", as it is recognized locally. Among the activities that can be carried out in Islote los Ahorcados are: snorkeling, coastal walk, sport fishing and whale and bird watching. With a scarce vegetation, small patches in the high parts constituted by very small trees. Nearby Attractions of the Los Ahorcados Islet in Puerto López - Manabí • Ayampe: It is one of the most beautiful areas of Manabí and one of the main attractions of the town, due to its calm waters it is ideal for water sports such as: swimming, sport fishing, sighting of humpback whales, diving, water skiing , surf and boat rides. • Ayampe Beach: An ideal place for those who enjoy the sun, swimming and diving; It has outdoor huts, in addition to a small boat house where you can rent all kinds of diving equipment, jet skis and tricycles. • Bird watching in Ayampe: Taking walks along the valley of the Ayampe River will leave us with a pleasant surprise in the observation of multicolored birds that will delight us not only with their presence but with all the pleasant sounds they emit in soft harmonic melody. Fuente: https://ec.viajandox.com/puerto-lopez/islote-los-ahorcados-A259
308.11 Km.
We have 413 tourist attractions listed in Ecuador.