Gualaceo's 60th Festival del Durazno Is This Weekend — Peach Wine, Dog Shows, and Harleys

What Is It

Gualaceo — the charming river town about 35 km east of Cuenca — is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Festival del Durazno (Peach Festival), themed "Aroma de mi Tierra" (Aroma of My Land).

Gualaceo has been known for its peach orchards for generations, and this festival is the annual celebration of that heritage. It's also one of the most popular day trips from Cuenca.

Saturday, March 22

• Artisan and gastronomy fair — local crafts, textiles, and food vendors
• Peach product tastings — rosero (a traditional peach drink), peach jams, peach wines, and peach-based desserts
• Dog show — because why not
• Harley-Davidson and classic car exhibition — motorcycle and car enthusiasts from across Azuay
• Queen of the Festival parade — the festival queen rides a barge down the Santa Bárbara River through town
• "Gastrofest 2026" — a curated food experience featuring local chefs
• Live music in the evening

Sunday, March 23

• Motorized parade through Gualaceo's streets
• Peach cooking competitions — community teams compete for best peach dishes
• Continued artisan fairs and food vendors

Getting to Gualaceo

• By car: Take the Cuenca-Azogues highway east, then the turnoff to Gualaceo. About 35-40 minutes. Free parking available around the town center
• By bus: Frequent buses from Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre to Gualaceo ($1, about 45 minutes)
• By taxi: $15-20 each way from Cuenca

The festival is centered around Gualaceo's main plaza and the riverfront (malecón).

Why Gualaceo Is Worth the Trip

Even without the festival, Gualaceo is a great day trip from Cuenca:

• The Santa Bárbara River runs through town with a beautiful riverside walk
• The town is known for its ikat textiles (macanas) — handwoven shawls using a pre-Columbian technique
• Lunch options are excellent — Gualaceo is famous for hornado and traditional Azuayan food
• The drive passes through the scenic Paute Valley with views of the river and orchards

Combine it with a stop in Chordeleg (15 minutes further) for gold and silver jewelry shopping, and you've got a full day.

Source: El Mercurio