Tomebamba River, Cuenca
Carnival in Cuenca. Traditional Holiday.
Carnival in Cuenca. Traditional Holiday.
Mirador de Turi. Cuenca lookout point
Mirador de Turi. Cuenca lookout point
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20 Interesting Facts and Information about Cuenca, Ecuador

Looking for the best facts about Cuenca, Ecuador? Well, look no further, here we have put together a really amazing list of fun, and interesting facts about Cuenca, Ecuador.

1. What is Cuenca's full name?

The official name of Cuenca is Santa Ana de Los Ríos de Cuenca

2. Where is Cuenca located?

Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province. Cuenca is located in the southern part of the Andes of Ecuador, South America.  Coordinates (latitude, longitude): 2° 54' 0.4644'' S, 79° 0' 21.2292'' W

This is South of Riobamba and Quito (Ecuador's capital) and East of Guayaquil.

3. What is Cuenca famous for?

Cuenca is famous because is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its many historical buildings and colonial downtown with charming cobblestone streets. Cuenca is also known for its Tomebamba River waterfront, handicrafts, and nearby Cajas National Park.

4. What is Cuenca's population?

Cuenca has an estimated population of 390,000 as 2019.

5. What are citizens of Cuenca known as?

The people of Cuenca are called 'Cuencanos'

6. What languages are spoken in Cuenca?

Spanish is the most common and official language spoken in Cuenca, although many indigenous people speak an additional dialect as Quechua.

7. What is Cuenca's currency?

Ecuador's currency is the Dollar of the United States of America.  U.S. dollars are used for all transactions.

8. What is Cuenca's dial code?

Ecuador's international dial code is 593 and Cuenca's dial code is 3. To place an international call to Cuenca, dial +593 3.

Local calls to Cuenca do not require an international dial code but require the numbers 03 before the seven-digit number. To call a mobile phone, locally you must first dial "09" or "08" - depending upon the phone provider - and then the seven-digit number. International calls must be dial as +593 9 or +593 8

9. What is Cuenca's time zone?

Cuenca's time zone is UTC-5.

10. What is Cuenca's postal code?

Cuenca's postal code is 180150

11. Does Cuenca have international airports?

Cuenca's Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar is a local airport located near the Terminal Terrestre (bus station). Cuenca does not have any international airports. Closest ones are in Guayaquil and Quito.

12. What is Cuenca's elevation?

The elevation of Cuenca, Ecuador is 8,455 ft (2,577 m) above the sea level.

13. When does the sunrise and set in Cuenca, Ecuador?

In Cuenca, the sun rises and sets almost at the same time every day. Sunrise between 6:00 - 6:30 AM and sunset between 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM. The average time all year round is 6 o’clock.

14. Does Cuenca have beaches? How far is the closest beach from Cuenca?

Cuenca does not have beaches. Beaches are on the Pacific Coast. The best 5 beaches near Cuenca are:

  • Salinas
  • Ayangue
  • Montanita
  • Olon
  • Puerto Lopez

15. Does Cuenca have volcanoes? How far is the closest volcano from Cuenca?

Cuenca does not have volcanoes, but the 5 nearest volcanoes are:

  • Sangay
  • Chimborazo
  • El Altar
  • Tungurahua
  • Cotopaxi

16. What are Cuenca's main festivals?

Cuenca celebrates most Ecuador public holidays, especially Carnival (late February) and New Year's Eve. Equally fun and interesting local holidays are:

  • Cuenca's founding anniversary: April 12 (1557)
  • Cuenca's Independence Day: November 3 (1820)

17. How many seasons does Cuenca, Ecuador have?

In general, there are only two seasons in Ecuador: Dry and wet.

The dry season (June-Sept) is considered winter. This time of year is drier and cooler than the wet season. The wet season (Oct-May) is considered summer. This time of the year is slightly warmer with more precipitations (rainfall) than the dry season.

18. What is Cuenca's distance from other popular cities?

Driving distance from Cuenca to:

  • Quito 280.26 mi (451.04 km)
  • Guayaquil 119.02 mi (191.55 km)
  • Riobamba 160.07 mi (257.60 km)
  • Machala 105.04 mi (169.04 km)
  • Montañita 216.80 mi (348.90 km)
  • Salinas 203.03 mi (326.74 km)

* Distance is calculated based on the closest driving route.

19. Is Cuenca safe for tourist? How safe is Cuenca, Ecuador?

Cuenca, Ecuador is considered safe to travel. However, there is some crime in Cuenca. Visitors should take the same precautions that they would in any major cities. Practice common-sense. As a general precaution always look back when leaving a place and do not ask strangers to look for after your things while taking a picture.  Finally, keep your friends and family posted on where you are.

20. Do I need a converter or plug adapter for the electricity?

Cuenca, Ecuador uses 110 volts, 60 cycle electricity, same as the United States and Canada. Electrical plugs are typically flat 2-prong or grounded types. North American equipment do not need a converter or adapter, but European equipment needs a plug adapter to use them in Cuenca, Ecuador.

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