Essentials
- SIM Card
- Claro (best coverage) or Movistar. Approx. $10-$20 for 10GB+ data.
- Banking for Expats
- JEP (Cooperativa Juventud Ecuatoriana Progresista) is popular for high-interest savings.
- Accommodation
- GringoPost, Airbnb, or local Facebook groups (Cuenca Housing)
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; essential for small shops/markets, cards accepted in supermarkets/malls.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Selina Cuenca (approx. $600-$900/month for private rooms)
- Budget Accommodation
- Check Inn Bed and Breakfast ($12-$15/night), Hostal Bauhouse
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Centro (Historic District) near Parque Calderón
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Puertas del Sol or El Vergel (modern apartments, quieter, near river paths)
- City
- Cuenca, Azuay Province, Ecuador
- Population
- 660,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available, average 60-100 Mbps (Puntonet, Etapa)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Banking via Banco Pichincha or Produbanco.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (one of the few cities in Latin America with high-quality tap water)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US Standard)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Cuenca Cowork ($10/day, $150/month), Impaqto ($15/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Goza Espresso Bar (various locations), Café de Ñucallacta
- Networking Events
- Creative Mornings Cuenca, Expats and Locals monthly mixers at Common Grounds
- Social Events for Expats
- Trivia Nights at Common Grounds, GringoPost community listings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Azutaxi (local app) or Indriver. Minimum fare is $1.50.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BiciPublica Cuenca (City-wide bike share program, $30/year subscription)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Olón or Salinas (approx. 6-7 hours by bus/car)
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Ecuador (flights to Quito and Guayaquil)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, Copa Airlines (connecting via Quito or Panama City)
- Highway Access
- Pan-American Highway (E35) connects North and South
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre (main bus station near the airport)
- Public Transport Passes
- Tarjeta Movilizate for the Tranvía (Light Rail) and buses ($0.35/ride)
- Regional Travel
- Shared vans (vans service) to Guayaquil ($12-$15, 3.5 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Universitario del Río (Private, high-end care)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Flow Yoga Cuenca, RumiSol Yoga ($8-$10 per class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Zeus, Step Fitness (approx. $35-$45/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia La Burbuja ($1/kg for wash/dry/fold)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa, UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mote Pillo (hominy and eggs) or Cuy (Guinea Pig) at Tiesto's
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Govinda's, Namaste India, Gopal
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladeria de la Tienda, Tutto Freddo
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado 10 de Agosto (fresh produce), Coral Supermarkets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Ecuador, Linio
- Grocery Delivery
- Tipti, Supermaxi (online portal/app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Larga (packed with bars like Jodoco Belgian Brew)
- Local Brewery
- Jodoco Belgian Brew, Santa Ana Brewing Co.
- Wine Bars
- La Compañía Microbrewery and Wine Bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Plaza de las Flores for snacks, Mercado 9 de Octubre
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mansión Matilde (French/Eclectic), Noe Sushi Bar
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- New Cathedral (Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción) blue domes
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Pumapungo (Free, indigenous history and ruins)
- Historical Sites
- Ingapirca Ruins (2 hours away), Panama Hat Museum (Homero Ortega)
- Religious Sites
- Old Cathedral (Iglesia de El Sagrario), Turi Church
- Annual Events
- Independence of Cuenca (November 3rd), Pase del Niño Viajero (Dec 24th)
- Cultural Districts
- San Sebastian neighborhood (Art galleries and cafes)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Carlos Cueva Tamariz
- Local Markets
- Feria Libre (The largest market in the city)
- Music Scene
- Jazz Society Cafe (live jazz nightly)
- Street Art
- Graffiti murals along the Tomebamba River walkways
- Cooking Classes
- Dos Sucres (farm-to-table workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Salida del Sol, Miguel Illescas Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal, Casa de la Cultura
- Local Heritage
- Panama Hat weaving (UNESCO Intangible Heritage)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cajas National Park (30 mins away, high altitude lakes)
- National Parks Nearby
- Podocarpus National Park (approx. 4 hours south near Loja)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Rio Tomebamba riverside path (Linear Park)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Turi (Panoramic city view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cajas National Park (home to the Andean Condor)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Hostel camping areas in narrow valleys like Tarqui or Baños
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega, DHL (located in El Centro)
- Tech Repair Services
- Soporte Técnico Cuenca (near Remigio Crespo)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Coliseo Mayor Jefferson Perez
- Language Classes
- Simon Bolivar Spanish School, Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Cuenca
- Community Centers
- Alianza Francesa Cuenca
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the university district (Av. Solano)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casinos are currently illegal in Ecuador (since 2011)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $38,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $54,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $89,250)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $72,250)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% to 25%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Variable, usually 10% for residents
- Tax System
- Resident based (Worldwide income if resident)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37%
- VAT
- 15% (Standard rate adjusted in 2024)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, basic reporting requirements
- Property Tax
- Yes, calculated biennially by the municipality (relatively low)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx 1-2% Alcabala and Registry fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital) allows 2 years, no local tax on foreign-sourced income if stay is under 183 days.