Biking in Cuenca + Typical Lunch

Sample itinerary

• Tour hours
• 1

  El Barranco

  El Barranco is the name given to the buildings that hang above the Tomebamba River, surrounded by a plain-covered shoreline and beautiful colonial buildings. You can get to the river from the center of Cuenca through three stone steps. One of the main points is the Broken Bridge, the remains of an old stone bridge that once crossed the river.

• 2

  El Paraiso

  paradise park The Parque del Paraíso is the largest park in Cuenca, with around 17 hectares. The park first opened its doors in 2003. Two rivers run through the park, the Yanuncay and the Tomebamba, and there are hundreds of trees, including eucalyptus, willow, and alder, as well as a large man-made pond that is home to ducks and geese, and small boats. There is a playground, a miniature driving circuit for children to learn about road safety, roads, bike paths, picnic areas, soccer fields, and almost every day you will find various street vendors with drinks and snacks.

• 3

  El Punte Roto

  As you walk along the Tomebamba River, you will come across El Puente Roto. Originally built in the 1840s by Juan de la Cruz Pugara. The bridge was destroyed on April 3, 1950 when the river overflowed and dragged it along with it and other bridges such as El Vado and El Vergel. It was reopened as a monument in 1961 and is used for fairs and outdoor events.

• 4

  Pumapungo

  Pumapungo, which means "gate of the Puma" was the central city of Tomebamba, built by the Inca commander Tupac Yupanqui after the Inca defeat of Cañar. In its splendor it is said to have rivaled the Inca capital of Cuzco. By the time the Spanish found the legendary city, all that was left were ruins. Today Pumapungo is an archaeological park located near the historic center of Cuenca within the Central Bank complex. Around the extraordinary museum of the Central Bank, visitors can tour the ruins of the Inca city. Most of the original stone was used by the Spanish to build the city of Cuenca, this archaeological complex has paths that intertwine around the foundations of these original structures. There are magnificent gardens filled with plants believed to have been important to the Inca and Cañari cultures, as well as beautiful llamas, a small cafeteria, and an aviary that houses a selection of local birds.

• 5

  Quinta Bolívar

  Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan statesman and military leader who commanded the armies of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia to the Independence of the Spanish Empire. In 1821 he became President of Gran Colombia (a state encompassing much of present-day Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, northern Peru, and northwestern Brazil), before creating the Republic of Bolivia in 1825, from who was also President. Bolívar visited Cuenca twice in 1822, where he stayed in a house that has since been named Quinta Bolívar. Although it is not the original building, since it was demolished in the thirties, this is the place where Bolívar used to rest and plan military and political actions when he was in Cuenca. Today, it is a cultural center used to exhibit works related to Bolívar's life and his ideology.

• 6

  San Joaquín

  has traditionally provided vegetables, legumes, and other products for Cuenca. Although it is becoming popular as a residential area these days, you can still find many active orchards that provide natural produce and vegetables for the city.