Life in Cuenca
CEDEI International offers to its students updated on-line information about the institution and the city. The following page and additional links will give you a better idea of who we are at CEDEI what you can expect to find while here with us in Cuenca. About CuencaThe former Inca town of Tomebamba (situated at about 2500 meters in the southern part of the Andes) was conquered by the Spanish in 1533 and founded in 1557. With a population of about 350 000 people it is Ecuador’s third largest city. Cuenca is unarguably the centre of culture and art of Ecuador.
For its charming historical center, the churches, the small cobbled streets and colonial houses with noble facades, prim balustrades, wrought iron balconies and red tiled roofs, it was declared as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1999. The impressive churches in the old center are dating back to the 16th to 17th century and if you believe it, or not, this is the city of churches with 52 churches, one for every Sunday! Being in the historical center, you might get the impression that time has stood still.
Cuenca is an ideal place for all travelers who are fed up with the bustling, noisy life of Quito. The inhabitants of Cuenca are more conservative and in this tranquil city traditions and customs are connected to modern life in a very harmonic way. You won´t find many skyscrapers here! The city is divided in half by the Rio Tomebamba. In the northern half the heart of the colonial city is situated, in the south the newer suburbs. The Rio Tomebamba is worth having a look. At the riverside it is lined by colonial buildings and women laying out their clothing to dry at the banks of the river. This is an interesting and colorful sight. Activities in CuencaIn recent years, Cuenca has had an ever unique and growing nightlife which suits all tastes! Many bars and restaurants can be found on Avenida Gran Colombia or on Calle Larga, where you will find the younger population hanging out on the weekends. In addition, one can see a theater production, visit an art exhibition, listen to live music, or catch a latest film at the local movie theater. If you would rather relax and have a chat in a laid-back atmosphere, prefer trendy 'discotecas', or would like to have some Salsa or Meringue lessons with the locals – Cuenca’s various night time activities meets most tastes. Here are just a few helpful phrases to help you get by at night Cuanto cuesta un/una = How much is a ____?
Me gustaría = I would like...
What kind of cocktails do you have? = Que tipo de cocteles tiene?
Can I see the menu? = Puedo ver el menu?
Me puede dar el numero de un radio taxi? = Could you give me the number of a taxi? ShoppingFor everyone who is interested in history and culture Cuenca is the town to visit. Being a meeting point for many different cultures has had a strong influence on arts and traditions. In additional Cuenca boasts a huge variety of museums and art galleries and is the most important center of Artesania in Ecuador. Cuenca is also the center of the Panama Hat Industry, and despite the common misconception that Panama hats are from Panama, they actually originated in Ecuador. Visit the Panama Hat Factory on Calle Larga to learn more about the history and the making of these 'sombreros'. Make sure to pick one up on your way out, as they make an elegant and unique gift! Other commonly found hand made crafts found in Cuenca include leather jackets, ceramics, embroideries, baskets, gold jewelery and clothing. In the plaza San Francisco, you can even find a small market with the famous textiles from Otavalo. Sports/Other Free Time OpportunitiesWhile studying at CEDEI, your daily life will be full of classes, cultural and historical visits, weekend trips, and of course lots of Spanish! If you find that you have a moment free, and you need to get out and stretch your legs, Cuenca has many great things to offer. If you are a sport enthusiast, the "Coliseo Jefferson Perez" (named after Ecuador's only Gold Medalist) is for you. Here, you will find squash courts, racquetball courts, a rock climbing wall, tennis courts, an Olympic sized pool, diving pool, archery, basketball courts, as well as various classes such as boxing and muy tai style fighting, all available for public use for a small fee. There are tourist who come to Cuenca to try there hand at mountain biking, or zip lining through the forest, rock climbing, or a relaxing day of trout fishing in El Cajas National Park. A walk up to the church in Turi overlooking Cuenca and the surrounding mountains, relaxing one of the many parks by the river, catching a 'Deportiva Cuenca' soccer match in the stadium, or trying out your Spanish negotiating skills in the meat and fruit market '10 de Agosto' are just some of the many activities you can do if you have a little free time on your hands. After a hard day hiking in Cajas, or a long week at CEDEI, visit Baños and take a drip in the thermal pools and steam baths at the Hostería Durán or one of the other spas located just outside of the city. Please see the following sites for more information about Cuenca
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