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Day-to-day life in Cuenca for expats. Tips, guides, and stories about living in Ecuador's most beautiful city.
It's Good Friday and Cuenca is in full Semana Santa mode. Banks are closed through Sunday, government offices are shut, but supermarkets and restaurants stay open. Here's your complete guide to what's working today, what's not, and the Cathedral's full schedule of services.
Prefer museums to processions? The Catedral Antigua has 30+ works spanning four centuries, including contemporary art by Mikaela Baez. Museo de las Conceptas has a special Passion gallery. $3 entry, open through early May.
Which hospital do you go to in an emergency in Cuenca? How much does the ER cost? A quick reference guide to Cuenca's hospitals, clinics, and emergency services for expats.
How to get around Cuenca, Ecuador without a car — or with one. A complete guide to the tram, city buses, taxis, ride apps, and whether you should bother driving.
Comparing private health insurance in Ecuador? Here's a breakdown of the major providers — BMI, Humana, Confiamed, Ecuasanitas, and more — with costs, coverage, and which plans work best for expats.
Cuenca finally has its own TV show. 'Chulla Vida' is a 7-episode comedy about four strangers who end up sharing a house, filmed entirely in Cuenca at 42 real locations. It premiered last month on Ecuavisa Play and it's getting great reviews. Here's why you should watch it.
Need weekend plans? Hermes Cordero's new exhibition "Mouton, la persistencia del fuego" is open at the Galería de la Alcaldía. Saturday brings street theater and a theatrical route at the Hat Museum starting at 10:30 AM. And if you want something completely different, freestyle rap battles hit the Escalinatas at 7 PM.
Cuenca's biggest-ever retail development is almost ready. Mall del Alto — 117,000 square meters, 250 stores, $50M+ investment — opens across from Mall del Río in late April. H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, electric go-karts, and a gourmet terrace. Here's everything we know.
Ecuador's Health Ministry just extended the national flu vaccination campaign by 60 days. Free flu shots are available at all 1,900 public health centers, public hospitals, and IESS facilities — no appointment needed. Respiratory viruses are circulating above normal levels. Here's what you need to know.
