Articles

The Pawkar Raymi — the Andean Festival of Flowering that marks the indigenous new year — was celebrated across Cuenca on March 20-21. Ceremonies at the Plazoleta de El Vado, Parque Ecológico de Ictocruz, and the Botanical Garden honored the spring equinox with fire rituals, offerings, and music.

President Noboa visited Cuenca on March 18-19 and brought some real deliverables: a $21 million highway contract for the Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme road, a new affordable housing project in Mayancela, and the reactivation of a stalled $4.7M initiative that's been dormant since 2011.

Looking for something meaningful to do on the equinox? A traditional Andean Pawkar Raymi ceremony is happening March 21 in Sigsig — about 90 minutes from Cuenca. Led by Tayta Iván, with English-language orientation for newcomers. Here's what to know.

The Loma Larga mining concession near Quimsacocha is still active despite the environmental license being revoked. February 2026 status on what this means for Cuenca's water supply and the legal battles ahead.