Aaron’s Cuenca Guidebook

Orlando Siguenza (speaks English) for transportation or tours. Please contact me via the Airbnb platform for contact information. Javier Carmona (speaks English) for transportation. He can guide you around town for tours and provide general assistance.

There are public buses all over downtown and beyond. Buses cost $.30, and run from about 8:30 am until about 8:30 pm. Many people use the Moovit web site or Moovit app to view routes and plan trips. It’s free from the app stores. The Tranvia (Tram) is completed within the past year. As we don’t live close to the Tranvia I’m not sure on the fare but believe it is the same cost as the bus. Buses and Tranvia require a card, and not the same card for both. To obtain or recharge the cards, go to the Etapa office at Tarqui 9-76, the corner of Tarqui and Gran Colombia.

Taxis are cheap here, a minimum of $1.50 from 7am (0700) to 7pm (1900). Then the minimum raises to $1.75 during evening hours. Always make sure the driver turns on the meter. Just give him the directions of where you want to go. If you’re returning to the apartment, say “Benigno Malo entre Calle Larga y Juan Jaramillo”, then tell the cab drive “para aqui” when you are near or at the apartment. Tips are not expected so I usually round up to the nearest $.25. Download the AzuTaxi app. However, you will need an Ecuadorian phone number for the app to work.

Cuenca Car Share is a private owner of vehicles in Cuenca that rents his vehicles out. I have used them once and it was a good service. Emilio Morocho is the proprietor. Insurance is included in the rental. Contact Emilio directly for the best price vs. using his website.