This Cathedral is definitely a feast for the eyes, both inside and out! There are plenty of paintings and carvings to admire, and you can walk up several floors to see the lovely view from the roof also. Definitely recommend a visit.

What an incredibly beautiful place just amazing to walk in and observe the detail and the Beautiful interior of this historic structure in the heart of Cuenca. You can go in there and just sit and look around for hours at the beauty and consume the spiritual presence of this Grand Cathedral. It kind of reminds you of Notre Dame an absolute must go to when you're in Cuenca.

This grand church has beautiful art everywhere. Then we took the stairs for the views on top, and they were impressive. We were surrounded by several points of interest we've visited during our vacation.

This is a beautiful cathedral and apparently the largest in South America. It is the most iconic landmark in Cuenca and a great photo opportunity from inside and out. Having been to Cuenca multiple times, I have now photographed this place from multiple spots across the city. And for a small fee, you can climb to the top and get great views of the downtown area of Cuenca.

This an absolute nice place is very big you have the chance to go to the rooftop of the church that’s how they called for that you have to pay $2,75

Big cathedral that was only open during mass. Many people attend mass of all ages. It was a holiday weekend, so there were hundreds of people. The nearby park and flower market 🌺🌹🌺 are a draw too. Vendors sell religious articles on the steps of the cathedral.

It’s the most recognizable structure of Cuenca, one of UNESCO-designated World Heritage Centers👏👏👏. This building is one of many architectural treasures of the city, but this one is not an old colonial structure. It’s a modern edifice constructed from the mid-1880s to mid-1960s. It’s a predominant Neo-Romanesque with Spanish Baroque influence, conceived by the German architect Johannes Baptista Stiehle who also built San Alfonso Basílica of Cuenca and the Buga Basilica in Colombia. The arches, both interior and exterior, are very Romanesque/Byzantine. The most notable feature are the Renaissance-designed blue/white domes made of tiles imported from the former Czechoslovakia. The building is mostly Ecuadorian marble 😎😎😎 but the floor marble apparently are Italian. The main entrance door has a dramatic arch entrance, the door itself is a very thick heavy metal (bronze?) and highly decorated. It leads to a high altar, with all the usual catholic idols. The altar is a theatrical Spanish Baroque design. 😎 It is made wood with highly carved and spiraling Solomonic columns. 😎 The canopy of the altar has been carved to resemble the canopy of the Peter’s Basilica of Vatican. 😎 The entire altar including the columns layered in gold. The side naves are exact replicas of the central nave. They have several altars, each dedicated to a catholic saint, one of whom was an Ecuadorian Hermano Miguel. The building is actually unfinished. *** The two side towers are less than half the original design. The “shortened” towers are the base of the original design. *** This was apparently due to a miscalculation😊, the base cannot support whatever would have been built on top of them. NOT TO MISS::: At the front end of the left nave, before the presbytery, + 😎😎😎 there’s an original wooden model of the design, which includes the architect’s original idea for the high towers that were not built. + On the wall is a memorial to the architect Johannes Baptista Stiehle.

Nice spot but not worth an entrance fee

Quite high, breathtaking literally

Nice swing with a view, but too expensive... 4$/person

That wasa good experience .....Recomended

Horrible

Nice views on a clear day

Lots of thrills

A very nice museum with exhibits mainly covering the original people of Cuenca and history of the Inkas and the Spanish. There are also exhibits on the various native people through the country. The museum grounds are located on ancient ruins with a large park with nature, llamas and other exhibits. I highly recommend this interesting museum when in Cuenca.

I really like how they set up the inside, with several traditional huts or homes of the natives. Unfortunately there was only one section with good English translations, but I could translate with my phone. I was disappointed that the outside architectural ruins had no explanations. They should really put something there to make it more meaningful to us!

Nice museum with few exhibitions to customers. I was expecting to know more about ecuatorian history. It has a beautiful view of the city. It could be more attractive for tourists

We were greeted warmly and encouraged to sign in by sharing demographic information through an easy-to-follow kiosk. The museum is clearly interested in knowing which countries visitors represent and whether they belong to minority populations like LGBTQ. A thoughtful touch. Oddly, though, they didn’t seem equally interested in receiving feedback from visitors. I would’ve happily taken time at a kiosk to share everything I appreciated—and there’s quite a lot to like—along with suggestions for improving the visitor experience. The museum features both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Among the permanent exhibits are: Sala Nacional de Etnografía Sala de Arqueología: Pumapunku, Mundos de la Memoria Current temporary exhibits included: Ritualidades y Espiritualidades Textiles del Ecuador Hacienda Azuaya y Crianza The ethnography room made a point of stating that curators consulted with Indigenous communities to ensure respectful, culturally accurate presentations. However, I didn’t see much that distinguished it from typical ethnographic displays elsewhere. Two things in particular stood out as problematic: 1. Most artifacts lacked specific labeling. Instead of detailed descriptions, we were given vague summaries. 2. The human models—particularly those representing African-Ecuadorians and Indigenous people—were jarringly unnatural and grotesque. It felt like a missed opportunity to offer dignity through thoughtful representation. One of the strongest parts of the museum was the exhibit on the history of Cuenca and its surrounding regions, tracing human habitation back to 9000 BCE. The timeline was well done—clear and detailed—and included bold claims I hadn’t encountered before. For example, it suggested that maize was first hybridized in the Ecuadorian Andes around 9000 BCE. I’d always understood the origins of corn to be in what is now Mexico, so this caught my attention. Similarly strong claims were made about chocolate. The museum seems to be involved in original research, but it was difficult to tell what was well-substantiated and what was speculative. Another fascinating, if unsettling, area featured a collection of nearly 10 shrunken heads. The explanatory panels made an effort to place these artifacts in their cultural and spiritual context—ritual practices tied to restoring balance in a community. The final text noted that the practice is now banned in Ecuador. While many visitors were fascinated by the detailed preservation of the heads, I found it deeply unsettling. Several people wondered aloud, “How did they shrink the heads?” If you’re curious about that, you’ll need to ask Google or ChatGPT. By contrast, the temporary exhibits were excellent—well-curated, rich in detail, and socially relevant. Displays addressed issues like legal and illegal adoption, gender-based violence, and addiction. These exhibitions did more than inform; they invited reflection and response. And then there are the outdoor spaces. Stunning. A breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. You’ll find beautifully kept gardens, paths that weave past archaeological remains, and views of Inca terraces towering above the landscape. There’s also a remarkable collection of live birds, many of them rescues. Parrots, raptors, and other native species are housed in spacious, thoughtful enclosures, offering an intimate and often moving experience of Ecuador’s biodiversity. These grounds alone are worth the visit. In short: Museo Pumapungo is a fascinating mix of the excellent and the uneven. With more detailed labeling, improved representations in the ethnography section, and ways for visitors to share feedback, it could become a truly world-class museum. Still, I’m very glad we went.

When I went it was not very crowded and there was plenty to see. It was free and well designed.

Excellent museum, free entry and beautiful outdoor sites

Free museum in Cuenca with many information and history, from the Inca, to the Chocolate to the jungle, cultures and communities in Ecuador. Really interesting and easy to spend a couple of hours here. Nice big area outside with ruins and more! An Inca garden, a nice walk all around, the little lake and birds!

It's a beautiful museum with lots of paintings and other works of art, mostly Ecuadorian. The building and gardens are beautiful and you can chill on the grass. I spent around 40 minutes there. The admission is free, and they have lockers to put your backpack or valuables.

Fun place to visit. My kids enjoyed the kids corner where they got to color some pictures.

I really enjoyed checking out this art museum. The art is unique, and the building and grounds are beautiful. I couldn’t believe it’s free—it’s got so much to see and enjoy.

Quaint little local art museum. The building itself and the gardens are definitely worth it. The was a large temporary exhibition about local recycling - interesting yet not my taste - as well as other artists residencies that caught my eye. Definitely an area to go see if you’re in Cuenca.

Small museum with limited displays. I guess they change out the artist now and then. A lot of pictures of shoes, fire hydrants and water faucets. I guess that's modern art. I would not have regretted not seeing it.

Nice free musum

Interesting building that houses interesting modern art from local artists. Formally a prison, the art is spread out in many rooms, that were formally prison cells. It has a nice sculpture garden to sit in. And is located next to a surprisingly nice plaza, with a variety of stores and restaurants.

Overhyped overrated! There’s also a question of not standing by the advertised jazz singing.👎👎👎👎👎. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance, a setting that looks a throwback to the 1960s. As such, it does look like a nice venue for a jazz evening. UNFORTUNATELY, the lady singer did not appear and there’s not even an announcement the she will not be!!!! The quartet played some nice tunes, BUT the stretch of almost 3 hours, there’s no variety… Overall … BORING! For the reader, this drab live music has a separate $10 cover charge per person. The “Special Menu” look okay but nothing special. 👎 👎👎Empanadas de Viento::: contradiction in terms! “Viento” is a Castilian dish for a fluffy puff pastry dessert. Here, it’s cheese puff with sugar… WHY IS A DESSERT SERVED AS APPETIZER?? 🫤🫤🫤 Minestrone::: a classic simple Italian soup with a distinctive mild tomato flavor. Here, Parmesan cheese has been added making it a strange cheese-flavored soup. 👎👎👎 Fettuccini Porcini::: the pasta is very dry plain tasting, which means it’s an old factory made kind. The sauce is watery. And there’s hardly any identifiable to Porcini mushrooms, but some brownish ground stuff. 🫤🫤🫤 Lenguado Papillote::: for a restaurant that prides itself on their chef/cook, a small piece of fillet of sole served WRAPPED IN TIN FOIL… Why?? It’s also under seasoned. 🫤🫤🫤 Budin de Pan::: it’s more bread than pudding!!! It is very heavy! 👎👎👎👎👎Pavlova con Rujos Frutos::: it looks very pretty BUT THE PAVLOVA IS QUITE HARD, it takes a strong blow from a spoon to break it. This means it is either overcooked OR factory made OR made weeks ago. 😎 The only bright spot of the evening is the cocktail. Service is okay.

Love the bar. Old school, woody bar with a good selection of liquors. Dinner was excellent, and the service was great. Highly recommend this place for dinner.

Fancy place with friendly staff. Views from here are amazing Good coffee too.

Thanksgiving 3 cours meal was amazing but a bit spandy for a big family. The food was delicious, tho.

Wonderful food, excellent service and lovely ambience! Our 3rd special visit for anniversary previous two visits were our engagement and our honeymoon night! Never disappoints ❤️

This was by far my worst meal in 3 weeks in beautiful Ecuador and one of the most expensive. Starting with a positive, the view is beautiful!! That's all I've got for positive. My passion fruit mojito was very strong, but the passion fruit tasted like it came from a frozen pulp. It was not fresh. The octopus appetizer was decent but thr octopus was so fishy tasting I couldn't eat it. I ordered the baked chicken with truffle rice/risotto and Eggplant. The chicken had good flavor, but one side being thicker than the other it was raw in the middle. The "truffle" rice was DISGUSTING, it tasted like licorice?? Then the Eggplant tasted like they just put plain sugar on it and cooked it in the oven. The worst part is I probably took a bite of rice, a bite of Eggplant and two bites of chicken (from the thinner cooked side) and the waiter cleared my plate without saying a word or asking if everything was OK (I'm fluent in spanish too!). The wait staff seem like they have been working there for 80 years and hate their jobs.. My wife had a steak that she ate most of, but she offered me some when she saw I wasn't going to eat my food and to me, the sauce tasted like it was a packaged sauce of some sort, definitely not freshly made. Also gross. I left the restaurant hungry and paid $5 for a shawarma down the street and was so happy. There are so many great places to eat in Cuenca, save yourself some disappointment and skip this one...

One of the very worst service experiences for me anywhere, any time in my life! A small army of middle-aged, all male, and snobbish wait staff appeared at first to attend me (solo). It quickly became apparent just how patronizing and presumptuous they were to a man, treating me as a young know-nothing tourist they could just rush out the door. First, they put only the night's combo menu in front of me and I had to fight with them to provide me with the full menu even when I asked clearly in Spanish. I had to repeat myself in asking for the wine menu as well. The patronizing and humiliating experience makes El Jardin little better than an overrated tourist trap in my estimation. The only real gentleman I encountered was the attendant at the hotel front desk. The food was so-so, nice presentation but over-priced. The onion soup was mediocre at best, weak and drab in color. The sea bass beurre blanc had a good presentation, and the fish was right but the beurre blanc sauce was quite bland, virtually tasteless. Their offerings of wine by the glass are absolutely pathetic. Literally down to one choice for white: sauvignon blanc. Gorgeous, old colonial style building, inside very eclectic, actually (in a good way). The view of the river at the window is amazing.

Tiesto’s has a big reputation in Cuenca, so we were excited to finally try it. And while the food mostly lived up to the hype, the overall experience had some definite downsides. What we loved: 1. The flavors. When the food was good, it was really good. The beef? Cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. 2. The interactive service. The waitstaff made us try different sauces and explained everything, which made the meal feel more special. 3. The decor. The restaurant has a charming, traditional feel that we absolutely loved. It adds to the experience. What we didn’t love: 1. Waiting 30 minutes in the rain. Even with a reservation, we were left standing outside, and the door person wasn’t exactly welcoming. That kind of start sets a bad tone. 2. The pork was a disaster. Dry, overcooked, and so tough it got stuck in our teeth. 3. The soup was barely there. It tasted good, but the portion was tiny. 4. The family-style ordering. With a group of 17, this was a logistical nightmare. Very few personal dishes meant a lot of back-and-forth trying to accommodate everyone’s preferences. Would we go back? Maybe, but not with a big group. If you’re after great flavors and don’t mind some logistical headaches, it’s worth a visit. Just hope for good weather and order the beef.

From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I knew I was in for an exceptional dining experience. The ambiance and warm hospitality of the staff immediately set the stage for what was to come. The menu showcased a diverse array of delectable options, all crafted from locally - sourced ingredients and carefully prepared with great attention to detail. The presentation each dish was a work of art that perfectly complemented with the exquisite combination of flavours. The attentive service (Sebastian) throughout the evening was unparalleled, consistently going above and beyond to ensure our meal was nothing short of exceptional. My experience was further elevated by the passionate and talented Chef Juan Carlos. Not only he created an array of mouthwatering dishes with exquisite flavours, but he also took the time to share his knowledge and expertise with us. What truly left a lasting impression, however, was the chef's incredible talent for turning desserts into edible art pieces. The chef's dedication to their craft and desire to share his passion, made my visit truly exceptional. As an Ecuadorian , I felt so proud to find a world-class fine dinging experience in the beautiful Cuenca!

This restaurant was an experience, It highlights ecuadorian cooking and different skills and flavors that mesh well. We had a waiter - who at first felt like he was trying to sell us a used car - but for some reason we accepted his recommendations and we were blown away. The different meats in different types of sauces - the fish was amazing. Having the shared plates genius. Showing us how to eat them as well. The chimmicurri is sooo good!!! excellent presentation and really fun!

An amazing culinary experience in Cuenca Ecuador, the ambiance is so inviting and staff is attentive, welcoming , knowledgeable and friendly explaining every course in detail. A must go when in Cuenca 💕

This is not just a restaurant. Tiesto's is an Experience. It is not cheap, but it is worth every penny. The atmosphere is 100% Ecuadorian. It is cozy and intimate, simple yet elegant and Juan Carlos Solano is always there to welcome you with a huge smile. The staff are genuinely happy to see and welcome you. We only order the tasing menu (about $99 for 2), and that is where the magic of Tiesto's happen. The dishes keep coming, and each one is better that the one before it. Cuenca is my home for 2 years so far, and Tiesto's is the best eatery the city has top offer. Do yourself and your family a favor, and go to Tiesto's. You will never regret or forget the experience.

If go go to Cuenca this is a must, the food is delicious, service exelent and prices are cheap for what you get! The owner who is also the chef welcomes you and interacts with customers which to me is a plus! We went for one of the tasting menu and everything was great. At the end the chef gave us a couple drinks for free which where perfect to digest all the food we ate. I will for sure go back on my next visit to Cuenca :)

This is our mandatory stop in Cuenca. We love everything about this fine restaurant. We had Option One, with minor changes due to nut allergies. The wines were also quite nice. The dish embellishments on the dessert are edible and handmade. Kudos for the artist!

Authentic Colombian food. You know it’s good when there’s a line to be seated. We were able to get the lunch menu to go $3.50: small portion of meat, rice, plantains, small salad, soup, juice and bananas. There Bandeja Paisa looked yummy. Definitely would visit here weekly if we lived in Cuenca.

This place is fantastic. I had the Elmer’s almuerza: $3, totally fine. But my wife and son had the arepas which were knock out good. The staff is so pleasant and the owner was waiting tables and chatting us up. Just lovely.

We got there too early for almuerzo (11:00a) and we were very hungry so we ended up ordering breakfast. It was fabulous and filling! My boyfriend and I ordered two different combos, and they were both delicious. But above all else, the owner was extremely kind and hospitable. Can’t wait to come back for lunch! This spot has nothing but good vibes!!

One of my favorite places to eat anywhere! Great food served by great people at great prices.

Delicious homemade Colombian comfort food. The original location is great. Welcoming and friendly staff. Daily specials are always a good option but the menu items are outstanding, vegetarian options. Tip: lunch time is packed, arrive before 12 or after 2pm. No WiFi.

Wonderful and tasty almuerzos. I have eaten here twice and will continue to return. Helpful and attentive waitress. Ring the bell 🙂

Vegetarian options The fried stuff was rather heavy on our stomages Taste was good We liked the plantain ground dish

El Mercado is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly blends rustic charm with modern touches. The service was exceptional — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about every dish. The food was the real star of the show. Every plate was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. You can really tell that the ingredients are fresh and that the chefs put care into every detail. The grilled octopus or the fritada was out of this world, and the cocktails were perfectly crafted to complement the meal. Whether you’re coming for a casual lunch, a date night, or a special celebration, El Mercado delivers a memorable experience every time. Highly recommend — can’t wait to go back!

To be honest we just wanted some drinks since we been eating all day around Cuenca because is our last day in this city. We ordered an appetizer and for the main dish Salmon that was ok .Alejandra was our server I felt in love with this waitress her service and her professionalism was amazing.

Elegant dining in Cuenca, highly recommended by a famous model from Guayaquil. Everything was exquisite, 5 5-star experience; however, I deducted 1 star for the extremely long delay between the main course, which created discontent among the group. Lomo El Mercado was spectacularly cooked to perfection $24.90, an incredible value.

I ate here 3 times during my 5 days visit in Cuenca. The foods, their presentation and the environment are all good. So is the service and the wine. I’m taking out one star from the food because of the duck paella I had during my last dinner there. Although the dish was great in term of flavor and texture, the few thin slices of duck is really disproportionately little compared to the rice. It made me feel dissatisfied at the end, a shame.

A Culinary Gem in Cuenca! El Mercado is an absolute must visit! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, attentive service and an atmosphere that beautifully blends rustic charm with modern elegance. The food? Simply exquisite. Traditional Ecuadorian dishes are elevated to a whole new level each bite is a celebration of flavor, quality, and creativity. You can truly taste the love and craftsmanship behind every plate. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, dining at El Mercado is an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!

It’s a well appointed restaurant 😎😎😎 as I remember from several years ago…. As such I have high expectations….. BUT SILLY AND SERIOUS MISTAKES dampens the dining experience🫤🫤🫤. 🫤🫤🫤 The waiter pushed for cold refrigerated red wine. I insisted an ambient temperature bottled be opened. RED WINE MUST NEVER BE SERVED CHILLED. 🫤🫤🫤🫤🫤 THERE’s EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GARNISHES in both the starters and main entrees. GARNISHES SHOULD ALSO UPLIFT FLAVOR OF THE DISH. They are NOT a filler NOR a simple decor NOR otherwise dampen/detract the primary flavors. INDEED, *** The Pulpo (Octopus) appetizer comes with EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CREAMED CORN. The octopus should be king NOT the side attraction. *** The Sweetbreads (Mollejas Croquetas) again comes with TOO MUCH WHITE CARROT PURÉE. The sweetbreads should be star!!! WORST ARE THE LEMON SAUCE DROPS THAT ARE EXTREMELY SOUR 🤬🤬🤬. It kills the flavor of the sweetbreads. *** The Frito Cerdo 😎 is a nice twist of preparing pork ribs. BUT THE AVOCADO PURÉE IS NOT APPROPRIATE. It does NOT add anything, in fact it dulls the flavors of the ribs. It should be clear to anyone that BOTH pork and avocado are naturally fat/oil-containing… THEREFORE A GARNISH PURÉE should balance and uplift the fat of the pork!!! Pork goes well with fruit…so why not consider a SMALL AMOUNT of fruit compote like figs, orange or cranberry???? The MENU looks well planned… BUT AGAIN the cook needs to know BALANCE and WHICH OF INGREDIENTS should be king!!! The selection of wines by the glass are quite good and reasonably priced👍. But the rest of wines are overpriced at 200% to more than 1000% overpriced… None of the wines at vintages that warrant those exorbitant prices.

Wonderful atmosphere, best food of our trip, service was exceptional. Highly recommended!

Had the almuerzos (daily lunch set) and it was great. The food was good, the service was good, it’s always busy which says a lot, and the decor of the restaurant is really nice. It’s great value at $2.95 and would definitely recommend this place.

Arrived with a dickie tummy looking for something bland, but not. At this point I'm a tough customer. These guys did a sterling job of accommodating me. The food was great and the service exceptional. All 5 🌟.

Fresh ingredients, clean tableware, tasty food, great value, and the witness of a loving family working together for a fantastic business! Lots of admiration.

The almuerzo carne was very tasty. Service, even though rush hour, was very efficient and amiable.

We highly recommend El Tunel for almuerzos. Our Peace Corps friends introduced us to this restaurant 5 years ago and we have gone back often. It’s hard to find a better value and the food is always tasty. Usually there is a choice between two meat entrees, or sometimes fish. Fresh squeezed juice, soup, mote or popcorn, ají, segundo, and small dessert is $2.75. The set lunch menu is posted on a white board at the entrance on calle Honorato Vasquez. The almuerzos meal is actually brought in from outside and seems to arrive slightly after 12pm most days. The small staff team and the atmosphere are nice, too. There's actually three floors of seating but most stay on the ground floor for quick service. Clientele is a mix of locals and expats. On our weekly visits, we can tell we're not the only "regulars." For more recommendations on what to do and where to eat in Cuenca, find our blog posts by searching: "Intentional Travelers Cuenca"

As far as the places my husband and i went this is the best place for karaoke night

Solid, clean, inexpensive and delicious. Sopa de zanahoria rocks