{"id":1306209,"date":"2026-10-12T08:37:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306209"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:26","slug":"cuenca","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuenca"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306049,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_term":"","hw_hub_country_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_country_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_city_hero_eyebrow":"City guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Ecuador's most beautiful colonial city: blue cathedral domes, four rivers, flower markets and Panama hats, with the lakes of El Cajas National Park just up the road.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1306080","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"3 | Days to do it properly","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"The colonial jewel of the south","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Cuenca sits at around 2,500 metres in a green valley in the southern highlands, where four rivers meet. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a grid of cobbled streets lined with colonial and republican buildings, balconies, courtyards and churches. It is calmer, cleaner and easier to walk than Quito, and many travellers rate it as their favourite city in Ecuador.\r\n\r\nThe skyline is dominated by the three blue-tiled domes of the New Cathedral. Below the old town, the Tomebamba river runs past the hanging houses of the Barranco, with a riverside path that is the city's favourite walk. Cuenca is also the home of the toquilla straw hat, wrongly known around the world as the Panama hat, and you can see them being made in workshops around the city.\r\n\r\nGive Cuenca three days: one for the old town and museums, one for El Cajas National Park, and one for the Inca site of Ingapirca or the craft villages around the city. It is a relaxed place to stay longer, with Spanish schools and a large expat community.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish\r\nCurrency | US dollar. Bring small notes\r\nAltitude | Around 2,500m\r\nFrom the airport | 10\u201315 minutes\r\nGetting around | On foot, tram and taxis\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Generally treated, but most visitors drink bottled\r\nTipping | 10% is often included on the bill\r\nHow long to stay | Three days\r\nBest months | June to September","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay in the historic centre, within walking distance of everything. The streets near the river are quieter and prettier.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"14","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Historic centre | Sights, walkable | The UNESCO-listed old town around the Parque Calder\u00f3n, with most hostels, caf\u00e9s and museums. | -2.8970 | -79.0040 |  | \nCalle Larga and the Barranco | Nightlife, river views | The street along the top of the river bank, with bars and restaurants, and the river path below. | -2.9010 | -79.0020 |  | \nEl Vergel | Quiet, local | A calm area across the river from the old town, a short walk from the centre. | -2.9050 | -78.9960 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Old town days, lakes in the p\u00e1ramo and a hat or two.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start at the Parque Calder\u00f3n, the main square, with the New Cathedral on one side and the smaller Old Cathedral, now a museum, on the other. Climb to the cathedral's terrace for views over the domes. The flower market in the Plaza de San Francisco and the Plaza del Carmen are a short walk away.\r\n\r\nThe Museo Pumapungo, run by the central bank, has Inca ruins in its gardens and a strong ethnographic collection, and the Museo de las Culturas Abor\u00edgenes has thousands of pre-Columbian pieces. Visit a toquilla hat workshop to see how the hats are woven and finished.\r\n\r\nWalk the river path along the Tomebamba below the Barranco, and take a bus or taxi up to the Mirador de Turi for views over the whole city. El Cajas National Park, around 45 minutes away, is a high p\u00e1ramo landscape of hundreds of lakes, with well-marked hiking trails.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"New Cathedral | Blue domes and a rooftop terrace\r\nMuseo Pumapungo | Inca ruins in the gardens\r\nToquilla hats | See Panama hats being made\r\nEl Cajas | Hundreds of lakes, 45 minutes away","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Walking the old town and the river path along the Tomebamba costs nothing, and the plazas, flower market and churches are free to visit.\r\n\r\nThe Museo Pumapungo is free, with its Inca ruins and gardens. Free walking tours leave from the Parque Calder\u00f3n; tip the guide.\r\n\r\nThe Mirador de Turi is free, and you can walk up if you are fit, or take a cheap bus.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Old town | Plazas, churches and the flower market\r\nMuseo Pumapungo | Free, with Inca ruins\r\nRiver path | Along the Tomebamba\r\nMirador de Turi | Views over the city","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Mote pillo, big-grained corn scrambled with egg and onion, is the local breakfast, and hornado, roast pork, is sold in the markets. Cuy, roast guinea pig, is a southern highland speciality, especially in the villages around the city.\r\n\r\nThe Mercado 10 de Agosto has cheap almuerzos, fresh juices and hornado stalls upstairs. The old town is full of caf\u00e9s and restaurants, from local food to international menus aimed at the expat community.\r\n\r\nCanelazo, the hot cinnamon drink, is good on cool evenings.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Mote pillo | The local breakfast\r\nMercado 10 de Agosto | Cheap lunches and hornado\r\nCuy | A southern speciality\r\nCaf\u00e9s | All over the old town","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Cuenca","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Cuenca's nightlife centres on the Calle Larga, along the top of the Barranco, with bars, live music and a few clubs, busiest from Thursday to Saturday.\r\n\r\nThe city is more relaxed than Quito, with wine bars, craft beer and caf\u00e9s open late.\r\n\r\nTake a taxi or ride app home late at night.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Calle Larga | Bars above the river\r\nLive music | Busiest Thursday to Saturday\r\nCraft beer | A growing scene\r\nGetting home | Taxis or apps","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Cuenca","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"The old town is walkable. A modern tram, the Tranv\u00eda, crosses the city, and taxis are cheap.\r\n\r\nMariscal Lamar airport is close to the centre, around 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, with flights to Quito in around an hour.\r\n\r\nBuses run to Quito in around eight to ten hours, and to Ba\u00f1os in around seven. Buses to the coast go via Guayaquil, an area where several governments advise caution or against travel, so check the current advice.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"On foot | The whole old town\r\nTranv\u00eda | A tram across the city\r\nAirport | 10\u201315 minutes from the centre\r\nTo Quito | Bus 8\u201310 hours, or a 1-hour flight","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Cuenca","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Cuenca costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Cuenca is good value. Dorm beds start around \u20ac8, with well-rated hostels from \u20ac9 to \u20ac14. Almuerzos cost a few euros, and many museums are free or cheap.\r\n\r\nEl Cajas is free to enter, and buses there are cheap. A good toquilla hat is the main thing you might splurge on; prices depend on the fineness of the weave.\r\n\r\nEcuador uses the US dollar. Bring small notes.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | Around \u20ac8\u201314\r\nAlmuerzo | A few euros\r\nEl Cajas | Free to enter\r\nToquilla hats | Price depends on the weave","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Cuenca","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Cuenca is one of the safest cities in Ecuador. Take normal care with your belongings, especially around the markets and at night.\r\n\r\nIn El Cajas, the weather changes fast and it gets cold, with fog and rain. Register at the park entrance, stay on marked trails and bring warm, waterproof layers.\r\n\r\nAt 2,500 metres, go slowly at first. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nMarkets | Watch your bag\r\nEl Cajas | Register and stay on the trails\r\nAltitude | 2,500m. Go slowly at first","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Cuenca","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth leaving the city for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Lakes, Inca ruins and craft villages.","hw_hub_city_trips":"El Cajas National Park | About 45 minutes | Bus towards Guayaquil, or a tour | High p\u00e1ramo with hundreds of lakes and marked trails. |  | 1306381\nIngapirca | About 2 hours | Bus or tour | The largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, with a sun temple. |  | 1306350","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Cuenca","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Cuenca is spring-like all year. June to September is drier, though it can be cool and windy. Afternoon rain is common in the wetter months.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Nights are cool all year.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 21 | 3 | Mixed, afternoon rain\r\nFebruary | 21 | 3 | Carnaval\r\nMarch | 21 | 2 | Rainy\r\nApril | 21 | 2 | The wettest month\r\nMay | 20 | 2 | Rain easing\r\nJune | 19 | 3 | Drier, cool\r\nJuly | 19 | 4 | Dry, windy. Holidays\r\nAugust | 19 | 4 | Dry\r\nSeptember | 20 | 3 | Dry, clear\r\nOctober | 21 | 3 | Mixed\r\nNovember | 21 | 4 | Independence of Cuenca, 3 November\r\nDecember | 21 | 4 | Pase del Ni\u00f1o parade","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Christmas parades, independence days and festivals.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Independencia de Cuenca | 3 November | Across the city | The city's independence day, with parades, concerts and fairs. |  | \nPase del Ni\u00f1o Viajero | 24 December | Old town | One of the biggest Christmas parades in Ecuador, with costumes and decorated cars. |  | \nCorpus Christi | June | Parque Calder\u00f3n | A week of fireworks and traditional sweets sold in the square. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Cuenca prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Ingapirca tours and hats cost extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 9 | 8 | 2 | 4\r\nMiddle of the road | 14 | 15 | 5 | 12\r\nComfortable | 30 | 30 | 10 | 25","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Cuenca, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Cuenca","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Cuenca questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How many days do you need in Cuenca? | Three: one for the old town and museums, one for El Cajas, and one for Ingapirca or the craft villages.\r\nHow do I get from Quito to Cuenca? | By bus, around eight to ten hours, or a flight of around an hour.\r\nIs Cuenca safe? | It is one of the safest cities in Ecuador. Take normal care at night and around the markets.\r\nAre Panama hats from Cuenca? | Yes. The toquilla straw hat is made in Ecuador, mainly around Cuenca and Montecristi, and got its name from being shipped through Panama.\r\nIs El Cajas worth it? | Yes. It is a dramatic high landscape of lakes, close to the city. Bring warm, waterproof clothes.\r\nWhere should I stay in Cuenca? | In the historic centre, close to everything. The streets near the river are the most pleasant.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | Any time. June to September is drier, and early November and Christmas have the big celebrations.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Cuenca: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Cuenca | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_city_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_city_hub_term":"cuenca","hw_hub_city_city_slug":"cuenca","hw_hub_city_country_slug":"ecuador","hw_hub_city_parent_hub":"south-america\/ecuador","hw_hub_city_good_for":"city-break,adventure,food,culture","hw_hub_city_currency":"EUR","hw_hub_city_scope_rows":"1","hw_hub_country_states_title":"","hw_hub_country_states_intro":"","hw_hub_country_state_regions":"","hw_hub_country_states":"","hw_hub_state_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"","hw_hub_state_stats":"","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"","hw_hub_state_facts":"","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"","hw_hub_state_areas":"","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"","hw_hub_state_do_body":"","hw_hub_state_do_points":"","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"","hw_hub_state_do_more":"","hw_hub_state_free_title":"","hw_hub_state_free_body":"","hw_hub_state_free_points":"","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"","hw_hub_state_free_more":"","hw_hub_state_food_title":"","hw_hub_state_food_body":"","hw_hub_state_food_points":"","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"","hw_hub_state_food_more":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"","hw_hub_state_money_title":"","hw_hub_state_money_body":"","hw_hub_state_money_points":"","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"","hw_hub_state_money_more":"","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"","hw_hub_state_layout":"","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"","hw_hub_state_cities":"","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"","hw_hub_state_season_note":"","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"","hw_hub_state_events_title":"","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"","hw_hub_state_events_source":"","hw_hub_state_events_count":"","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"","hw_hub_state_faqs":"","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_state_currency":"","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":""},"class_list":["post-1306209","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-12T14:00:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hostelworld\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/cuenca\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/cuenca\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-12T08:37:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-12T14:00:26+00:00\",\"description\":\"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/cuenca\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/cuenca\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/cuenca\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Travel Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"South America\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Ecuador\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/south-america\\\/ecuador\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Cuenca\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\",\"description\":\"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"\",\"contentUrl\":\"\",\"caption\":\"Hostelworld\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.co.uk\\\/hostelworld\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/hostelworld\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels","description":"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels","og_description":"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","og_site_name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","article_modified_time":"2026-10-12T14:00:26+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@hostelworld","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/","name":"Cuenca Travel Guide: Colonial City, Cajas and Hostels","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-10-12T08:37:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-12T14:00:26+00:00","description":"Plan a trip to Cuenca: the UNESCO old town and blue domes, Panama hats, El Cajas, Ingapirca, costs and the top-rated hostels.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/cuenca\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Travel Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"South America","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Ecuador","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Cuenca"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","description":"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Hostelworld","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"","contentUrl":"","caption":"Hostelworld"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","https:\/\/x.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/hostelworld\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/hostelworld"]}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":1306209},"brizy_media":[],"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/200"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1306209"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1306387,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306209\/revisions\/1306387"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1306209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}