Things to Do in Cuenca, Ecuador With Kids
Set high in Ecuador’s southern Andes, Cuenca is a calm, colonial city that feels made for families, walkable, safe, and full of parks, rivers, and slow-travel charm. If you’re exploring Ecuador with kids, this is where adventure finally meets a little peace and quiet.
A Family Guide to Ecuador’s Most Underrated City
In this guide, I cover all the top things to do in Cuenca, I also share below places to stay, where to go, where to eat etc
Basically its everything me and my family experienced from beign based here for a few days.
🚗 Getting around: You can Rent a car or use Uber to get around.
🏨 Best base: This Hotel is central Hostal Yakumama
🗺️ Top day trip: Book great days trips to Cajas National Park
📱 Data: Buy an Airalo eSIM before you fly.
🛡️ Insurance: Lightweight family insurance coverage
Quick Facts About Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca might be Ecuador’s fourth-largest city, but it somehow still feels small, walkable, and incredibly livable, the kind of place where families can slow down without feeling stuck. Nestled in the Andes at about 2,500 meters (8,200 ft), it’s a high-altitude city surrounded by even taller mountains, colonial architecture, and parks that actually invite you to stay awhile.
We based ourselves in Cuenca’s Old Town, and from the first day, it felt like our kind of place, safe, clean, and surprisingly calm, even at night with two kids in tow.
It’s the kind of city that works best on foot. The centro histórico is one of the most beautifully preserved in Latin America, with cobblestone streets, leafy plazas, and plenty of space for a family wander.
Cuenca’s water is famous across Ecuador for being the cleanest in the country, locals from other provinces literally fill bottles to take home.Though not being a local I would not personally do this myself.
Cuenca also makes for a perfect stopover between Ecuador and Peru. We took the night bus from Cuenca’s Terminal Terrestre to Máncora, an eight-hour trip that cost around $100 for our family of four, and we felt completely safe the whole way.
Where to Stay in Cuenca (Family Edition)
We stayed at Hostal Yakumama, a friendly spot in the heart of Old Town that worked well as a short family base. The private room was clean and comfortable, the staff kind, and the location perfect for exploring on foot.
It’s a little pricier than our usual budget, as it was pay when you stay and then with tax’s and coversion rate it added quiet a bit extra but having a calm, central place with laundry and luggage storage was worth it, especially before a long night bus with kids.
If you’re after something with a more social feel or modern touches, Alternative Hostel is another solid option, great reviews, family rooms available, and a rooftop terrace.
Travel Insurance for Families in Ecuador
Before we dive into the fun stuff, one quick but essential thing, don’t skip travel insurance.
We use SafetyWing to stay covered during our long-term trip through South America. It’s flexible, affordable (around $2/day), and covers everything from flight delays to medical emergencies, including the random “child jumped off hostel bunk” scenario. Ours somw how fell of climbing up the bunk bed ladders…Luckily nothing bad.
Is Cuenca Safe for Families?
Short answer: yes, Cuenca felt like one of the safest cities we’ve visited in Ecuador.
We walked through the Old Town morning and night, with two kids in tow, and never once felt uneasy. Streets are well-lit, locals are friendly but not pushy, and there’s a calm rhythm to daily life here that’s easy to settle into.
Compared to bigger cities like Quito or Guayaquil, Cuenca runs at half-speed in the best way. You’ll still want to use the usual travel sense, keep phones close in busy plazas, take Ubers if you’re out late, but it’s nothing beyond standard caution.
As parents, what stood out most was how welcoming and family-aware people were. From restaurant owners helping us juggle plates and kids, to strangers striking up conversations in parks, we never felt like an inconvenience, just a family exploring like everyone else.
If you’re considering Ecuador but worried about safety with children, Cuenca is a great first stop to build confidence. It’s the kind of place that reminds you travel with kids doesn’t have to feel risky, just a little unpredictable (in the best way).
What It’s Like Visiting Cuenca With Kids
Cuenca has that perfect mix of manageable size and big-city perks. You can walk almost everywhere, grab good coffee within minutes, and still find quiet green corners when the kids need space.
It’s also refreshingly low on tourist crowds. During our stay, most hostels were half-empty, which meant quieter nights, less chaos, and friendlier chats with locals. Though part of our stay was to try to connect with more travellers but oh well.
Prices are slightly higher than Baños or Mindo, but strangely not as high as parts of coastal Peru, a sweet spot between affordability and comfort.
For families, Cuenca’s rhythm works. Mornings are slow, afternoons are for wandering, and evenings are calm enough for a late walk or dinner without the “get back before dark” stress.
Food is another win. Portion sizes are huge (seriously, one plate often feeds two), and local almuerzos, the set menus, make eating out with kids easy and cheap. El Nuevo Paraíso became our go-to: great food, quick service, and prices that didn’t make us flinch.
In short, Cuenca feels like a pause button in your Ecuador itinerary, a place to recharge, wander, and actually enjoy traveling as a family instead of just surviving it.
Things to Do in Cuenca With Kids
Cuenca is one of those cities where you don’t need a long list of attractions to fill your days, the joy is in wandering, stopping for ice cream, and watching your kids chase pigeons through another colonial plaza. But between the spontaneous and the scenic, here are the things we loved most as a travelling family.
Explore Cuenca’s Historic Center (Parque Calderón)
Every family trip needs an easy win, and Cuenca’s centro histórico delivers. The Parque Calderón area is the city’s heart, all grand cathedrals, tree-shaded benches, and a constant hum of daily life.
Our kids loved it here. Between the fountains, pigeons, and steady stream of street vendors selling ice cream and toys, it became our go-to afternoon stop. The architecture alone makes the walk worth it, from the New Cathedral of Cuenca (with those iconic blue domes) to the tiny bakeries tucked down side streets.
We wandered the area every night and always felt safe and relaxed, even after dark. If you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants nearby, Calle Larga is full of options, from cozy cafés to local almuerzos.
Burn Off Energy at Parque de la Madre
When the kids need to run, Parque de la Madre is where to go. It’s Cuenca’s largest urban park, and it’s perfectly set up for families, open lawns, wide walking paths, playgrounds, and locals everywhere just doing life.
We brought snacks, let the kids play, and even managed a quick family workout on one of the outdoor gym setups. The vibe is calm but alive, with music, joggers, and families picnicking into the evening.
If you’ve been moving fast across Ecuador, this is the spot to catch your breath. It’s also a reminder that Cuenca isn’t just a “colonial city”, it’s a modern, liveable place where families thrive.
Below I have embedded a map for Parque de La Madre for ease so you can see where it is to the central, Its easily within walking distance
Walk Along the Río Tomebamba
One of our favorite Cuenca discoveries was the Río Tomebamba, a peaceful river that runs right through the city. The walking paths alongside it are shaded, scenic, and surprisingly quiet.
We spent a couple of afternoons just strolling here, grabbing coffee from small cafés, and letting the kids toss stones into the water (under supervision, of course). The river divides the old and new parts of Cuenca, so it’s a great way to experience both worlds, colonial charm on one side, modern parks and cafés on the other.
If you’re visiting in late afternoon, the light turns golden and the views of the red rooftops are incredible. Bring a camera, or don’t, it’s one of those places that’s better just to be in.
Visit Pumapungo Museum & Archaeological Park
Cuenca might be laid-back, but Pumapungo Museum proves it’s far from boring. It’s a brilliant family spot, part museum, part archaeological site, part mini-zoo.
Inside, you’ll find exhibits about Ecuador’s indigenous cultures, traditional clothing, and ancient artifacts. Outside, the gardens lead to Inca ruins, an aviary with parrots and toucans, and even a few llamas wandering the grounds.
Best part? It’s free (donations welcome). You can easily spend two hours here with kids, enough time to explore without them hitting meltdown mode.
Tip: go in the morning before the crowds arrive, and bring water and snacks, there’s not much nearby for refuelling.
Well actually there was this cute cafe that did great cakes and coffee
Eat Like a Local (Big Portions, Big Wins)
If Ecuador had a national parenting hack, it would be this: one meal can feed two people. Cuenca takes portion sizes to new heights, and nowhere did it do better for us than El Nuevo Paraíso, our go-to spot for budget-friendly, family-approved meals.
The menu is simple, the service fast, and the food delicious, think fresh soups, grilled meats, rice, and juice that actually tastes like fruit. For coffee breaks, Zentir Café became our escape (Mentioned above as the cute cafe) good lattes, reliable Wi-Fi, and a calm space to reset.
Cuenca’s food scene is a nice surprise overall. There’s enough variety to please picky eaters, and plenty of local spots where you can eat well without overthinking it.
Family tip: ALWAYS order less than you think, the plates are big
Family-Friendly Day Trips from Cuenca
If you’ve got an extra day or two, take a trip to Cajas National Park, about 45 minutes from the city. It’s full of high-altitude lakes, short hiking trails, and mountain views that even the kids couldn’t complain about (for at least 10 minutes).
You can spot llamas, picnic by the water, and get a dose of that wild Andes air before heading back to civilization. Just remember: it’s chilly up there, pack layers and snacks.
Getting Around Cuenca With Kids
Cuenca is one of the few cities where we didn’t need to think too hard about transport, and that’s saying something when you’ve got two small humans and a couple of backpacks in tow.
Most of the main sights sit within walking distance of the Old Town, and the streets are wide, calm, and safe enough for family strolls (just keep an eye on uneven cobblestones). For longer hops, like getting to the bus terminal, even though we walked, we would recommend to get a taxi for $4, which is cheap, quick, and reliable.
If you prefer local flavour, taxis are easy to flag down, though not all take card payments, so keep some cash handy. Cuenca also has a sleek Tram system (Tranvía), which runs through much of the city and can be a fun, low-stress way to explore, our kids loved spotting murals and street vendors from the windows.
Traffic is mild compared to Quito or Guayaquil, and drivers generally respect pedestrians. That alone makes Cuenca feel more doable with kids, fewer near-heart attacks per street crossing.
Why Cuenca Works for Slow Travel Families
If Baños was all energy and waterfalls, Cuenca was the exhale that followed.
This city gave us room to slow down, to catch our breath between bus rides, find “our” coffee spot, and feel settled, even if just for a few days. It’s clean, calm, and connected enough to make long-term travel with kids feel sustainable.
We loved that Cuenca felt lived-in rather than touristy. The streets buzz with local life, kids walking home from school, families filling the parks, old men reading newspapers on benches. It’s not a city trying to impress you; it’s a city that invites you to belong for a little while.
Sure, it’s a touch more expensive than Baños or Mindo, but not in a way that hurts. Meals are generous, hostels are good value, and public spaces make up half your entertainment budget anyway.
And if you’re heading south to Peru like we did, Cuenca makes the perfect final Ecuador stop. The night bus to Máncora was long but safe, and waking up by the sea the next morning made it all worth it.
For families chasing that balance between adventure and ease, Cuenca is it. It’s culture without chaos, beauty without burnout, and just the right mix of old-world charm and everyday comfort.
So if you’re planning your Ecuador itinerary, save Cuenca for the days you need a breather. You’ll thank yourself later.
➡️ Free Family Map For Cuenca
We’ve pinned every café, park, and “this actually worked with kids” spot from our stay in Cuenca.
Get the free Cuenca Family Map and save yourself a few wrong turns.
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