"Chulla Vida" — Cuenca's First Comedy Series — Is Now Streaming. Here's Where to Watch It.

Cuenca Made a TV Show. And It's Actually Good.

If you've been looking for a way to practice your Spanish while watching something filmed in places you actually recognize — this is it.

"Chulla Vida" is a 7-episode comedy miniseries that premiered on Ecuavisa Play on February 19, 2026. It was written, directed, produced, and filmed entirely in Cuenca — a first for the city. The production shot across 42 locations with a crew of 69 people, and it's being called a love letter to Cuenca by everyone who's seen it.

The Story

Four strangers — each dealing with their own mess — end up sharing a house in Cuenca:

• Gaspar (Pablo Balseca) — facing foreclosure on his home after a personal loss
• Claudia (Gabriela Menendez) — evicted after a breakup, forced out of her comfort zone
• Leo (Carlos Aguilar) — a Guayaquil native chasing a sports radio job in Cuenca
• Fausto (Maicol Mora Grijalva) — running from a mysterious past (you might recognize him from Enchufe TV, where he's been a regular for 15 years)

Their forced cohabitation during Cuenca's festive season forces each of them to confront their wounds and figure out what family really means.

It's funny, it's warm, and it uses Cuencano dialect and local idioms in a way that feels authentic rather than performative.

The Cuenca Factor

This is what makes it special for people who live here. The show was filmed at 42 real Cuenca locations including:

• Parque Calderón (the main plaza)
• Puente Roto (the Broken Bridge on the Tomebamba)
• Plaza de San Francisco
• Various streets and buildings throughout the Historic Center

The production team deliberately kept most locations secret to let viewers discover them while watching. If you know Cuenca, you'll spend half the time going "I know that corner!"

Not Your Typical Ecuadorian Production

The creators went all in on production quality:

• Budget: Over $300,000
• Camera equipment: Shot in RAW format with Hollywood-standard cameras and international-grade optics
• Cast and extras: 200+ people appeared on screen
• Production timeline: 5 weeks of shooting (30 days, 6 days/week) after 3 months of writing

Director Christian Rojas and co-director Juan Quezada worked with executive producer Pedro Luis Vintimilla (who calls it "100% original, pure Ecuadorian ingenuity") and the Cuenca-based production company Atlas Creativa.

Before premiering in Ecuador, the pilot was screened for the Ecuadorian migrant community in Queens, New York — where the audience reportedly "applauded and embraced" the creators.

How to Watch

Detail	Info
Platform	Ecuavisa Play
Episodes	7 (19-26 minutes each)
First episode	Free
Full season	$19.99 USD (one-time purchase)
Language	Spanish (Cuencano dialect)

Go to Ecuavisa Play and search for "Chulla Vida." The first episode is free — no subscription required. If you like it, the full season is a one-time $20 purchase.

Why Expats Should Care

Beyond the Spanish practice, "Chulla Vida" is significant because it proves Cuenca can produce entertainment content at a level that gets national (and international) attention. The city has always punched above its weight in music and visual arts — now add television to the list.

Plus, it's just fun to watch a show set in your city. You'll recognize the streets, the plazas, the light, and — if your Spanish is good enough — the very specific way Cuencanos talk.

For $20 (or free for the first episode), it's the cheapest entertainment in town.

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Sources: Vistazo, El Mercurio, Primicias, Ecuavisa