Things to do in The Southern Highlands
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Biotours
Biotours offers day trips to Parque Nacional Podocarpus from $35 per person plus park fee (minimum two, including lunch).
reviewed
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Cuenca City Tour
4 hours (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
Come and experience Cuenca, the 'Athens of Ecuador' on this 4-hour city tour! See all the highlights of this city, including the Old and New Cathedrals,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$19.99 -
El Café Lojano y Tostador
Sip southern Ecuador’s famous coffee ($1), freshly roasted and ground before your eyes. You can also buy coffee by the pound ($2.60).
reviewed
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Forno di Fango
This spic-and-span pizzería serves tasty pizzas pulled from an adobe oven smack in the middle of the dining room. Lasagna too.
reviewed
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Parque Universitario La Argelia
Almost 5km south of the center, the 90-hectare reserve, Parque Universitario La Argelia, has excellent trails.
reviewed
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Cacao & Canela
This excellent little café-cum-bar serves cheap, wholesome sandwiches and good coffee in a warm, dimly lit atmosphere.
reviewed
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Primavera Handicrafts
Primavera has nice, locally made products and postal services (including stamps), and is an office for Rumi-Wilco Ecolodge.
reviewed
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Del Tranquilo
This one's a fun but tame bar in an old converted house. People go for the live music Thursday through Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Cebichería 200 Millas
Ceviche is really a late-morning dish, and that’s when everyone shows up for superfresh seafood at this local favorite.
reviewed
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Holgar’s Horses
Horseback-riding trips are offered by the German-speaking Ecuadorian, Holgar, at Holgar’s Horses.
reviewed
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Goura
Hearty vegetarian, organic almuerzos. Serves straightforward Ecuadorian fare and pizzas and curries too.
reviewed
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Church of San Cenáculo
Two blocks east of Plaza de San Sebastián stands the bare, 19th-century Church of San Cenáculo.
reviewed
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Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center
Cuenca's a wonderful place to study Spanish. Most language schools charge per hour for one-to-one classes.
reviewed
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Expediciones Apullacta
A big operation that organizes day tours to Ingapirca, Cajas and the Chordeleg area, among other sites.
reviewed
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Kaos
The laid-back and British-owned Kaos has couches, pool tables and snacks - great for a good night out.
reviewed
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Prohibido Museo de Arte Extremo
An unusual establishment in this up-and-coming area, a Grim Reaper–themed gallery, bar and nightclub.
reviewed
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Chicago Pizza Restaurant
Thick-crust slices ($1.10) are the preference here, as well as pastas and sandwiches ($3.75 to $6).
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El Paraíso
Pop in here for good wholesome set vegetarian lunches and dinners at around US$2 a pop. Good deal.
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Centro de Estúdios Interaméricanos
A nonprofit school offering drop-in and/or long-term courses in Spanish, Quichua and Portuguese.
reviewed
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La Tasca Tours
Horseback-riding trips are offered by the friendly René León at La Tasca Tours.
reviewed
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La Olla Mágica
It's hard to beat pork chops at this price, served on a wooden platter with potatoes and salad.
reviewed
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Casa Tinku
Casa Tinku is a spirited little bar with a great vibe; there’s usually live music on weekends.
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Restaurant El Paraíso
Serves straightforward Ecuadorian fare. The menu is all vegetarian and there's ice cream too.
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Grecia
Excellent almuerzos (hence the crowd). Serves straightforward Ecuadorian fare.
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El Cántaro
Big almuerzos, convenient location. Serves straightforward Ecuadorian fare.
reviewed