Ecuador Highlights: Exploring Cuenca, Hiking The Cajas Mountains, And Finding Hidden Gems

THE MOM EDIT
Is anyone else's wanderlust hitting an all-time high? I've been both reminiscing about our past vacations, as well as dreaming of future ones. One place we're dying to visit again? Ecuador.

While many people go to Ecuador for the coast (or even a trip to the Galapagos), we headed up to the mountains, exploring the town of Cuenca and surrounding areas, hiking in the majestic (and other-worldly) Cajas Mountains, coming across towering waterfalls, and exploring Incan ruins. Ecuador is so varied and so gorgeous that this trip felt similar to our epic Iceland adventure...but at a fraction of the cost.

Favorite Places to Eat In Cuenca:
El Pedregal | Some of the best Mexican food I've ever had, with a rooftop patio that is a perfect place to hang, late afternoon: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294309-d1086818-Reviews-El_Pedregal_Azteca-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

El Mercado | It's pricey (especially compared to other restaurants in Cuenca), but 100% worth the cost: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294309-d7037444-Reviews-El_Mercado-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

T-Rex Burgers | This little hole-in-the-wall pub is tons of fun. They were screening Game of Thrones while we were there. Burgers are delicious: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294309-d12948678-Reviews-T_Rex_Burgers_Pub-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

Mercado 9 de Octubre | This market is not to be missed, and is a great place to grab lunch: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294309-d12976329-Reviews-Mercado_9_de_Octubre-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

Favorite Things To Do:
Hiking in Cajas Mountains: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294309-d317752-Reviews-El_Cajas_National_Park-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

Do the spa circuit of volcanic mud and thermal baths at Piedra de Auga: https://piedradeagua.com.ec/spa-circuit/?lang=en

Visit La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca | The church itself is beautiful, but the climb to the top is really something special: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294309-d314601-Reviews-La_Catedral_de_la_Inmaculada_Concepcion_de_Cuenca-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

See some Incan ruins! Inside Cuenca city limits is Pumapungo: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294309-d316143-Reviews-Pumapungo_Museum_and_Arqueological_Park_MCYP-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

...or do a day trip to Ingapirca: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1136651-d317759-Reviews-Ingapirca_Ruins-Ingapirca_Canar_Province.html

Hike to El Chorro Waterfall | Not only is the waterfall gorgeous, but there's a heart-stopping swing that you can pay to go on. It looks much tamer than it feels: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g5962157-d5962160-Reviews-El_Chorro_Waterfall-Giron_Azuay_Province.html

Climb to the top of Parque la Libertad | This is a fun trip with the kids - it's right next to a playground, and there's a place to grab gelato as well: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294309-d15672582-Reviews-Parque_la_Libertad-Cuenca_Azuay_Province.html

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