Cuenca is a safe and welcoming city, but as in any city, it’s a good idea to take a few simple precautions to avoid becoming a target for pickpockets. Be especially careful in busy markets, on crowded streets, and during local festivals (*fiestas*), when large crowds can make it easier for pickpockets to go unnoticed.
Here are a few simple tips to help keep your belongings safe:
With a little common sense and awareness of your surroundings, you can relax and enjoy everything Cuenca has to offer!
When shopping in Cuenca, you may be asked to show a government-issued photo ID when paying by credit card. Although stores may ask for your *cédula* (Ecuadorian national ID) or passport, most will also accept your driver’s license.
A helpful tip: Make a photocopy of your passport to carry with you, and leave your original passport safely at the apartment. If you need additional copies, you’ll find photocopy shops throughout the city, or you can use the printer in the apartment.
When making larger purchases, it’s worth asking whether there is a difference between the cash and credit card prices. Some stores offer discounts for cash payments, and you can often save around 5% by paying in cash.
Before making a purchase, be sure you really want the item, as most shops do not accept returns. Some of the larger department stores may accept returns, but generally only if an item is defective. Even then, you will usually receive store credit toward another purchase rather than a cash refund.
To avoid disappointment, it’s always a good idea to check the store’s return policy before buying.
Tía is a small supermarket offering a convenient selection of groceries and everyday essentials, including dry goods, dairy products, snacks, sweets, bottled water, beverages, cooking oils, grains, and other household merchandise.
From the apartment’s main entrance, turn left and walk one block along Calle Larga. You will find Tía directly across the street from the large Mercado 10 de Agosto.
Supermaxi is one of Ecuador’s largest and most popular supermarket chains, while Megamaxi is its larger hypermarket counterpart. In Cuenca, there are three Supermaxi locations and one Megamaxi, located in Wayra Plaza.
Both offer an extensive selection of groceries, fresh produce, meat, household essentials, imported products, and a wide variety of other merchandise.
The closest location is Supermaxi El Vergel, approximately a 15-minute walk from the apartment. Simply cross the river and continue past Parque de la Madre to reach the supermarket. If you purchase more groceries than you want to carry home, you’ll find taxis waiting just outside the entrance for a convenient ride back to the apartment.
The Mercado 10 de Agosto is one of Cuenca’s most iconic and traditional markets, offering a wonderful glimpse into local life. Conveniently located at the corner of Calle Larga and General Torres, it is just one block from the apartment.
Both floors are organized into distinct sections by food type, making it easy to find what you’re looking for while exploring this lively, bustling market.
Located at Avenida de las Américas and Solano, this is the largest market in the city, sprawling across approximately seven acres. Open daily, it is a lively maze of vendor stalls filled with color, local flavors, and everyday Ecuadorian life. Wednesdays and Saturday mornings are the busiest times, offering the most vibrant market experience.
Shopping Tips: Visitors may occasionally be quoted inflated prices, so polite bargaining is worthwhile.
Safety: Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Leave valuables at home and keep your wallet, phone, and camera secure.
Getting There: Numerous bus routes serve the market, or you can take a taxi for approximately $2–$3, depending on your starting point.
Casa Yangoe is a charming cultural and gastronomic market in Cuenca’s historic center, located at Benigno Malo 5-16 y Calle Larga. Housed in a beautifully restored traditional adobe home, it celebrates Ecuadorian culture by bringing together local farmers, small-scale producers, and independent artisans under one roof.
A modern shopping mall conveniently located in central Cuenca at Avenida Remigio Crespo and Calle Santa Cruz, not far from Parque de la Madre. It offers a convenient alternative to the larger shopping malls on the outskirts of the city, with a good selection of shops, dining options, and entertainment all under one roof.
A convenient choice for shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or catching a movie without venturing far from central Cuenca.
Mall del Alto is a large, modern shopping and entertainment destination located directly across from the older Mall del Río. Elegant, spacious, and contemporary in design, it offers impressive views of Cuenca and a more upscale shopping experience than its neighbor. Prices generally tend to be on the higher side, but the mall is worth visiting for its international brands, diverse dining options, and extensive entertainment facilities.
If you enjoy shopping, international brands, and modern entertainment facilities, Mall del Alto is well worth a visit. You can easily explore both malls in a single outing, enjoying the more upscale atmosphere of Mall del Alto before crossing the pedestrian bridge to discover Mall del Río.
Mall del Río is one of Cuenca’s largest and most popular shopping and entertainment destinations. Located directly across from the newer Mall del Alto, it offers an extensive selection of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, generally at more affordable prices than its upscale neighbor.
Mall del Río is generally more casual and budget-friendly than Mall del Alto, making it an excellent choice for everyday shopping and dining. Together, the two malls offer an impressive variety of stores, restaurants, and activities, making them well worth exploring during the same outing.
Milenium Plaza is a modern shopping and entertainment center located just across the river, between Parque de la Madre and Supermaxi. Its convenient location makes it an easy destination for shopping, dining, and catching a movie.
The cinema shows many current movies in English, making it a great option for English-speaking visitors. Look for showtimes marked subtítulos (subtitles) to find films presented in their original language with Spanish subtitles.
Wayra Plaza is a modern shopping center featuring several enormous megastores alongside a variety of smaller specialty shops. Located on Avenida 24 de Mayo, adjacent to Parque Paraíso and a short distance from Cuenca’s city center, it is a convenient destination for shopping, household essentials, and everyday needs.
Spanning approximately 52,000 square meters across multiple floors, the complex features open-air walkways, attractive surroundings that blend with the nearby river landscape, and pet-friendly policies.
Some of Wayra Plaza’s most popular stores include:
Getting There: Several bus routes serve the area, making Wayra Plaza accessible by public transportation. Alternatively, it is just a short taxi ride from the city center.
Wayra Plaza is particularly worth visiting if you need groceries, home furnishings, hardware, or electronics. Its enormous anchor stores make it especially convenient for practical shopping, while the smaller shops and café provide additional reasons to explore.
A charming, cozy, Parisian-style café where you can enjoy the flavors of France in a delightful setting. Upstairs seating overlooks a peaceful inner courtyard, creating a lovely spot to relax over coffee and freshly baked pastries. The owner, a Frenchman with a passion for baking, prepares delicious croissants, delicate macarons, and other French specialties that bring a little taste of Paris to Cuenca.
If you love French pastries, don't miss this little gem. Settle into the peaceful upstairs courtyard setting, order a freshly baked croissant and a good coffee, and enjoy a relaxing café experience with a distinctly Parisian touch.
Honorato Vásquez 6-26 y Hermano Miguel. Tel. 096-705-5690.
https://www.facebook.com/pasteleriabocadillos
A delightful German-style bakery offering an impressive selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, cookies, and other tempting treats. Whether you're looking for hearty European-style bread, something sweet to accompany your coffee, or a satisfying meal, this bakery has plenty to offer.
A great place to satisfy your craving for European-style baked goods. Stop by for a loaf of hearty bread, pick up a few cookies or pastries, or settle in for a casual lunch.
Calle Hermano Miguel 8-13 y Mariscal Sucre. Tel. 07-283-4684.
https://www.facebook.com/MariasAlemania
A popular artisanal bakery in Cuenca’s historic center, celebrated for its delicious French-style pastries, buttery croissants, and expertly crafted breads made using carefully controlled fermentation techniques. Visit early in the morning for the best selection, as the most popular items can sell out quickly.
Padre Aguirre 9-40 y Simón Bolívar. Tel. 099-830-2764.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063769624137
A delightful Asian-inspired bakery and dessert shop founded and operated by a chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Shanghai. Blending Japanese, Chinese, and French pastry traditions, this charming spot offers an enticing selection of beautifully crafted sweets and desserts.
Paucarbamba 4-158 y Rafael Torres Beltrán. Tel. 095-873-5970.
https://www.instagram.com/panasiacuenca
Plaza de San Franciscostrong> is Cuenca’s oldest marketplace, dating back to 1558. Located in the heart of the historic center, beside the historic San Francisco Church, the plaza occupies a prime location on Presidente Córdova, between Padre Aguirre and General Torres.
Today, this lively open-air market is a wonderful place to browse for traditional Ecuadorian handicrafts, locally made products, and unique souvenirs. Stalls operated by local artisans, weavers, and craftspeople offer an appealing variety of handmade goods, including colorful textiles, ponchos, wool blankets, scarves, hand-knitted clothing, Panama hats, ceramics, woven baskets, wooden utensils, and handcrafted jewelry.
The plaza itself is a charming destination, featuring a central fountain, park benches, and the iconic red-letter CUENCAstrong> sign, a popular spot for photographs. Surrounded by beautiful colonial architecture, it offers a glimpse into Cuenca’s rich cultural heritage and enduring artisan traditions.
Take your time exploring the stalls, where you can discover distinctive Ecuadorian crafts and find memorable souvenirs while enjoying the lively atmosphere of this historic gathering place.
Centro Municipal Artesanal (CEMUART)strong>, also known as the Cuenca Municipal Arts Center or Casa de la Mujer, is the city’s largest municipal craft market. Located in the historic center on General de Torres, right next to Plaza de San Francisco, it is a wonderful place to explore Ecuador’s rich artisan traditions.
Housed in a two-story heritage-style building, CEMUART features individual shops and booths where local artisans display and sell their own creations. The selection includes a wide variety of traditional Ecuadorian handicrafts, such as Panama hats, woven scarves, leather goods, handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, wood carvings, metalwork, sculptures, and paintings.' It’s an excellent place to browse for unique souvenirs, locally made gifts, and distinctive pieces of Ecuadorian craftsmanship.
Mercado de Artesanías Rotary (Plaza Rotary)strong> is a lively, open-air artisan market in Cuenca’s historic center, located on Gaspar Sangurima between Mariano Cueva and Vargas Machuca, just one block east of Mercado 9 de Octubre.
This bustling market is a great place to discover traditional Ecuadorian handicrafts and shop directly from local artisans who use time-honored techniques to create their wares.' Prices are generally affordable, and polite bargaining is often welcome, making it an excellent spot to find unique souvenirs and practical items at reasonable prices.
What you’ll find:
Plaza de las Floresstrong> is Cuenca’s famous flower market, a colorful and fragrant landmark in the heart of the historic center. Located beside the Iglesia del Carmen de la Asunción, at the corner of Mariscal Sucre and Padre Aguirre, it is just one block from Parque Calderón.
The market is a feast for the senses, with vendors displaying beautiful floral arrangements in a dazzling array of colors. You’ll find Ecuador’s world-renowned roses alongside orchids, lilies, sunflowers, carnations, anthuriums, and many other seasonal blooms. Whether you’re looking to buy a bouquet or simply admire the vibrant displays, Plaza de las Flores is a delightful stop while exploring Cuenca’s historic center. Prices are generally negotiable, so don’t hesitate to politely bargain.
Carolina Bookstorestrong> is an iconic expat institution and beloved secondhand bookstore in Cuenca’s historic center. Located on Hermano Miguel between Calle Larga and Honorato Vásquez, it’s a favorite destination for book lovers seeking reading material in English and other foreign languages.
The shop has a cozy, eclectic atmosphere and an impressive collection of thousands of books in English, Spanish, French, and other languages, along with maps. English-language books are alphabetized for easy browsing, making it especially convenient for visitors and expats looking for familiar authors, new discoveries, or reading material to enjoy during their stay in Cuenca.
Pharmacies are found throughout Cuenca, particularly in the city center, and sell prescription and over-the-counter medications, along with personal care products and other health essentials. Many medications that require a prescription in the United States are available over the counter in Ecuador, although controlled medications still require a doctor's prescription.
Fybeca and other major national pharmacy chains offer a wide selection of brand-name and generic medications. They frequently run promotions, loyalty programs, and special discount days, with savings of 20% to 30% on selected products. Since prices can vary considerably from one pharmacy to another, it’s worth comparing prices and checking for current promotions.
One convenient feature of Ecuadorian pharmacies is that you can often purchase medications by the individual pill or tablet rather than having to buy an entire box. This can be especially helpful when you need only a small quantity.
Alcoholic beverages are widely available throughout Cuenca at supermarkets, convenience stores, neighborhood tiendas, and specialty liquor stores.
Save Money on Local Brands: Imported alcoholic beverages are subject to exceptionally high taxes, making them considerably more expensive than locally produced alternatives. To save money, look for brands made in Ecuador or elsewhere in South America. Ecuador produces some excellent rum and beer, along with certain varieties of whiskey. Wine lovers will also find a good selection of reasonably priced wines from Argentina and Chile.
Legal Drinking Age: The legal age to purchase and consume alcohol in Ecuador is 18. However, drinking alcohol in public spaces—including streets, parks, sidewalks, sports courts, and riverbanks—is generally prohibited.
The Ley Seca (Dry Law): During national and local elections, Ecuador enforces a temporary ban on the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The restriction generally begins 36 hours before polling opens and continues until 12 hours after polls close. Violations can result in substantial fines, so check the dates of any applicable restrictions if you plan to purchase or consume alcohol during an election period.
The Winery is a popular specialty wine shop and boutique in Cuenca, offering an impressive selection of quality Ecuadorian and international wines. You can purchase bottles at retail shop prices or enjoy an on-site tasting without paying a corkage fee. It’s an excellent destination for wine enthusiasts looking to discover new favorites or select a bottle to enjoy at home.
Av. Fray Vicente Solano y Aurelio Aguilar. Tel. 099-527-9191
https://www.facebook.com/WineryEc
Offers a range of beauty and wellness services, including haircuts, coloring, pedicures, massages, and facials. Services are available for both men and women, with English- and Spanish-speaking staff to accommodate a variety of clients.
Av. Americas 29-127 (across from SuperMaxi)
Tel. 098-195-6056
Offers a variety of wellness and beauty services, including massage, acupressure, chiropractic adjustments, jacuzzi access, manicures, pedicures, and facials. The business is owned by Betty Molina, a doctor of chiropractic. Conveniently located right next door to Casas del Nogal.
Calle Larga 10-11 y Padre Aguirre.
Tel. 098-396-1442