Quito and cuenca

The cities of Quito and Cuenca represent the very best of urban Ecuador - two historic cities nestled in the Andes Mountains. Quito was the very first UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site for its beautiful and well-preserved historic colonial center. Cuenca was also subsequently designated as a World Heritage Site in 1999 for its equally well-preserved colonial center.

While Quito is the cosmopolitan capital city of Ecuador, perched on the equator line and combining a thriving new town alongside its historic center, Cuenca is a tranquil colonial jewel in the south of the country. Both contain a wealth of fine musuems, galleries, churches, plazas, botanical gardens, and other tourist attractions.

In addition there are many options for day tours from both Quito and Cuenca that explore the volcanos, national parks, traditional towns, crafts-producing communities, thermal springs, and other attractions. While you can easily spend at least a week in each of these marvelous cities, you may not have that much time. Email us for suggestions of how to put together a package to fill the time you have available.

Click on the options below to explore each of these cities in more detail.

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explore the wonders of Quito with night tours of the historic center.

Cosmopolitan Capital Quito

Explore the best-preserved and largest colonial city in the Americas, enjoy the beat of the new town with its bars and restaurants, experience whole-day excursions into the surrounding Andes mountains.

explore historic cuenca with a tourism program to learn about the true ecuador

Tranquil Colonial Cuenca

Enjoy walking around this beautiful and well-preserved colonial city set between rivers, visit its museums and churches and hang out to watch daily life in the central Parque Calderón . . .

explore the wonders of Quito with night tours of the historic center.

Recommended Hotels in Quito

From hostel bargains up to five-star luxury there are many accommodation options in Quito - the historic center or the new town . . .

explore the wonders of Quito with night tours of the historic center.

Recommended Hotels in Cuenca

Cuenca boasts many fine hotels - from small boutique hotels to more humble offerings there is something for every budget . . .