New Destination : Cuenca
Cuenca has had a special attraction even before the Spanish arrived, when the Inca Emperor Atahualpa decided to make the town one of his favorite leisure spots.
Cuenca, also known as Santa Ana de los 4 rios (Santa Ana of the four rivers because its located in a valley where its rivers cross), has an amazing colonial architecture, a mixture between colonial Spanish and XIX century French style. During the nineteen hundreds, cuencanos found themselves in an economic growth due to their exports of Panama Hats and quinine; which is why the city was embellished with a French style, now made a world heritage.
Cuencanos hold their traditions dearly. You will find that they might close their stores for lunch, take the time for a cup of coffee and a nice talk, or simply enjoying a long walk. Time is not an issue for them. Shops of arts and crafts such as blacksmith, jewelry stores and textiles are still open for business.
Not only we can be stunned by the city's beauty, but also Cuenca is surrounded by cloudy forests, fields and mountains, which make it a perfect location for adventure sports. You can enjoy biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking, and much more, within half an hour of your hotel. To end with a perfect day, you can relax at night in the hot springs of Cuenca.
Rafting
How about rafting through Cuenca as a city tour? In the rainy season, you can cruise the city's rivers and admire all the republican houses built around them. It's a class II + river, quick enough for you to get a thrill out of it!
Biking
You can get to know the whole city and its surroundings by bike. It is up to you if you want a short ride, or a long trip through the cloudy forests, subtropical valleys and near fields. Bike lovers have no limits in Cuenca.
Walking and Hiking
Walking through the mountains with a view of the valleys, surrounded by animals such as toucans and parrots and going through all the paths shaped by the Incas can be pretty amazing. These routes will show you the lives and traditions of the locals working on their lands. Every night, there will be an excellent dinner and a glass of wine waiting for you back at your boutique hotel.
Horseback riding
We have trained horses for any kind of rider no matter the age or expertise, whether you want to learn to ride with an instructor, or take trip in the valley or through the hills of Cuenca. You decide!