7 Best Day Trips from Cuenca Ecuador

The best day trips from Cuenca Ecuador offer natural beauty, cultural depth, and a totally different pace. Think páramo landscapes, cloud forest waterfalls, and small towns with rich artisan traditions.

I spent 10 days in the city, staying with friends who gave me the inside scoop on the best places near Cuenca to explore. They love escaping the city and spending time in nature, so I followed their lead.

Some of these day tours from Cuenca are easy to do on your own. Others are better with a guide, especially if you’re short on time or want to combine stops. This list breaks down the best Cuenca day trips—what to see, how to get there, and what makes each one worth your time.

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1. Go Hiking in Cajas National Park

Just 45 minutes from the city, Cajas National Park offers a dramatic change of scenery. The jagged peaks, moody skies, and high-altitude lagunas make it one of the best day trips from Cuenca.

I decided to explore the most popular hiking route around Laguna Toreadora. The landscape felt surreal and the otherworldly plants kept me in awe of the páramo. At nearly 13,000 feet (3800 m), with spongy moss underfoot and thin air all around, my friends and I took it slow. We spent about three hours on the trail and soaking up the views.

But that’s just one way to experience Cajas.

The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, thanks to its mix of páramo, polylepis forest, and cloud forest. Highlights for birders include the Ecuadorian Hillstar, Violet-throated Metaltail, and the elusive Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan.

Another option is to hike through the park’s quieter backcountry near Laguna Luspa. This off-the-beaten-path trail winds downhill through three ecological zones, offering a more immersive look at the park’s changing landscapes: from wide grasslands to forested valleys. It’s a great way to experience Cajas without the crowds.

If you just want to walk around the laguna, you can take a bus there. But you’ll have to time it with the return bus. Alternatively, you can book a Cajas tour from Cuenca that includes transportation. I’ve included my top picks below.

2. Explore the Ancient Ruins of Ingapirca

Ingapirca is one of the most important archaeological sites in Ecuador. The site itself is quite small. What makes it special is how the Cañari and Inca histories overlap. 

The Cañari first settled the area, but after years of conflict the Incas conquered them and built their own stone structures on top of the original settlement, including the Temple of the Sun which still stands today.

Entry is $2 and includes a 45-minute guided tour in English or Spanish. Our guide was excellent, and was accompanied by a dog that his son named ‘Gringo’ because of its light color. The small on-site museum is free to enter and worth a visit before or after the tour.

After you explore the ruins, you can hike along the trail that loops behind the complex. I recommend you hike at least partway to see La Cara del Inca, a natural rock formation with a sharp nose that resembles the profile of the indigenous people of the region.

On the way we passed homes with llamas and sheep, which was a fitting backdrop to the ruins. And on the way back, look for a sign advertising chicha de jora, one of the most traditional Ecuadorian drinks.

Ingapirca Day Trip from Cuenca

Getting to Ingapirca is easier on the weekends. Friday – Sunday there is a direct bus from Cuenca that leaves at 9 am and returns at 1:30 pm. The trip takes about two hours each way and costs $4. 

To visit Ingapirca during the week, you’ll need to book a tour to Ingapirca or transfer in Cañar, where I was told buses leave about every 20 minutes. The benefit of a weekday visit is that the archeological site will be less crowded. 

Tip – If you’re comfortable navigating the buses, you can save time by visiting Ingapirca on your way to Cuenca from the small town of Alausí (famous for the Devil’s Nose Train) or Riobamba. There are lockers in the ticket office to store your luggage.

Visit the Nearby Artisan Towns

Southeast of Cuenca is a handful of small towns that have earned a reputation for their handcrafted traditions. Gualaceo is known for weaving, Chordeleg for filigree silver jewelry, Sigsig for Panama hats, and San Bartolomé for guitars.

It’s possible to visit several in one day, but only if you start early or join a day tour from Cuenca. In the next sections, I’ll walk you through what to expect in each one.

3. Gualaceo for Artisanal Weaving

Gualaceo is known for preserving a traditional style of weaving called macana, a version of ikat. These handwoven shawls are made with cotton and dyed using natural ingredients like walnut shells and cochineal (a tiny insect that lives on prickly pear cacti).

What makes this weaving unique is the process of tying sections of the yarn before dyeing to create intricate patterns. It’s a time-consuming technique that has been passed down for generations.

My friend and I asked the bus driver to drop us off at Casa Museo de la Makana (map), just before the town. This family-run workshop is one of the few places still practicing the full process by hand.

For $1, we got a short but fascinating tour that walked us through each step, from preparing the yarn to applying the dye and finally weaving it on a traditional backstrap loom. The tour ends in a small shop with macanas for sale in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles.

Tip – We arrived without an appointment but if you need an English speaking guide, it’s best to contact them ahead of time. You can send a message via WhatsApp to +0987778220.

4. Chordeleg for Filagree Jewelry

Recognized as a Pueblo Patrimonial, Chordeleg is famous for its filigree silver jewelry. The town is full of silver shops, from small family-run stalls to larger jewelry stores that line the main streets near the central plaza.

We stopped in Joyería Jara & Hijos located across from the Chordeleg Museum (map). It’s a multigenerational a family workshop where one of the owners gave us a demonstration in English.

It was fascinating to watch how delicate strands of silver are twisted and soldered into intricate designs using traditional tools and techniques. When my friend asked about a pair of earrings for her daughter, he pulled out a small scale to weigh the silver and calculate the price on the spot.

After the workshop, we spent more time browsing the other shops. Then, before catching the bus, we bought ice cream and sat in the square to enjoy a quiet moment in Chordeleg, one of the most charming places to visit near Cuenca.

5. Sigsig for Panama Hats

Sigsig is best known for its tradition of weaving sombreros de paja toquilla, commonly known as Panama hats. We ran out of time to visit since we were traveling by bus. If you want to visit all three towns in one day, you’ll need to start early or book a tour with private transportation.

Although we didn’t make it to Sigsig, I later learned about this craft at the Panama Hat Museums in Cuenca (yes, there’s more than one). The museums are a good introduction to the history and process, although I wished we’d had time to visit Sigsig too.

Bonus: Visit the Ecuagenera Orchid Store

Since my friend is a plant lover and orchid fanatic, we made a quick stop at Ecuagenera after the weaving workshop in Gualaceo. They’re known for cultivating a wide variety of rare and native orchids. And although this location is mostly for browsing, it was a fun detour. 

I learned that the larger shop is in Quito, which is also the only location that handles shipping orders. Or you can order directly from their website.

6. Descend to a Cloud Forest + Waterfall

Located just over an hour from Cuenca, El Chorro del Girón is a series of waterfalls tucked into the mountains near the town of Girón. Most people only visit the first waterfall, which is an easy 15-minute walk from the entrance.

With photo platforms, misty spray, and lush surroundings, it’s a great spot to admire the falls and take in the view. Expect to get wet. I visited at the end of the rainy season and was caught off guard by the force of the water, which also made the path incredibly slick in places.

Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour here, depending on how long you linger or if you try any of the extra activities (such as a canopy zipline or skybike).

I didn’t have time to do the longer trek, but my friends have and gave me the details. The first sign you see as you approach Giron is the start of the trail to the higher falls. It takes about 2.5 hours round trip. The trail is steep in parts, so allow extra time if you need to go slow or want to enjoy the scenery.

Giron Day Tour from Cuenca

To get there, I caught a bus from Parque Narancay (map) in Cuenca to Girón. You can also take a bus from Cuenca’s main bus terminal. The ride was beautiful, with rural views of rolling hills dotted with cows and horses.

Once I arrived in Girón I was quoted $5 for a mixto (a shared pickup taxi) up to the entrance. It felt a little steep for a solo ride, but I was eager to get there and there was no one else around to split the fare.

The entrance fee to Girón waterfalls is $3.50 for foreigners which includes a hot cup of canelazo, one of Ecuador’s most famous drinks.

After the falls, I walked downhill back to Girón along the road while passing quiet farms and rural homes along the way. If you prefer to use the same taxi service, make sure you get their phone number (although my cell signal wasn’t strong at the falls).

If you’d rather skip the logistics, I recommend you book this tour from Cuenca to Girón Waterfalls which includes transportation and handles the details for you.

7. Soak in the Hot Springs Near Cuenca

Cuenca is surrounded by geothermal activity, and the nearby town of Baños de Cuenca is where locals and visitors go to soak in the hot springs. It’s only about 20 minutes from the city, making it one of the best things to do around Cuenca.

The hot springs here are spa-style facilities that include thermal pools, saunas, and places to relax. Some also offer massage and mud treatments if you’re looking for a deeper reset. It’s a great way to unwind after a day of hiking or sightseeing.

One of the top choices is Piedra de Agua, a hot springs spa known for its underground thermal circuit and red and blue volcanic mud treatments. If you plan to visit, read my full guide to the hot springs in Cuenca to decide which is best for you.

Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Cuenca

Travelers already know Cuenca is a gem, but the variety of day trips from Cuenca reveals more of what makes this region special. They show you a different side of southern Ecuador, from artisan traditions to páramo landscapes.

Whether you explore on your own or join one of the many day tours from Cuenca, you’ll leave with a broader view of the region—and maybe a few favorite spots you hadn’t expected.