Cuenca

Pros: Probably the most pleasant city in South America ?
Cons: Road from north is very poor

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

Cuenca is Ecuador’s most attractive city and easily the most enjoyable place in which to wander as a tourist. The city is packed full of churches, museums, convents, open squares, colonial...

Pros: Cheap hotels, and cheap gifts
Cons: Dangerous roadways, and many poor people

I flew into Cuenca airport from Quito in March, 2000. The airport was busy, but it was easy to catch a taxi to the hotel. I stayed in The Hotel Italia, which was very nice. I was greeted at the door by the porter, and I was treated wonderfully during my...

Pros: Beautiful town, friendly people, safe for tourists, easy to walk, much to see
Cons: badly polluted air, too much traffic, 

Beautiful town but the air is much too bad. On main roads the buses blow their black fumes right into your face. Too many cars drive across the city center. Hotel Inca Real is very nice - no luxury pit but clean and quiet with friendly stuff. Everything is laid back in this hotel. The interior is superb with all the old furniture and wallpaintings. 50 USD for a single room is much overrated. Hostal Macondo: good bargain. Quiet, friendly stuff. Nice garden with humming birds and beautiful flowers. No safes for valuables just funny nightcases with a lock you can cough at and they spring open. But the place is safe and well kept. Museums are plentiful but most are closed on weekends and holidays like xmas and new year. Many good restaurants. Try Eucalyptus (has the cleanest toilets I have seen in Ec.)