Cuenca High Life

You’ll get no argument from serious eaters about where to find Cuenca’s best hamburger. It’s at the Inca Lounge and Bistro. If there’s a downside to Inca’s hamburger crown, it’s that it overshadows the fact that the restaurant may also serve the best chick... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. After breakfast at the sushi joint, we took a cab to the airp... [More]

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It's fitting that Chris and Jenny Bluefields named their business Kookaburra Cafe. As they reflect on why a couple from Queensland with almost no hospitality experience would set up an eatery in southern Ecuador, Jenny's cackle demonstrates the comedy of it all. "I waited tables... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the ninth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. We took our leave from breakfast and off we went to the fresh... [More]

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Editor’s note: Curves Gym is one of Cuenca’s growing number of expat-owned businesses. Owner Jon Wright, a three-year Cuenca resident and former personal trainer, explains his approach to achieving positive exercise results – and why a program like Curves can help women live heal... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the eighth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. In 2008 Stern, Germany’s version of Newsweek mag... [More]

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Ecuador’s National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, (INAMHI) says that May in Cuenca may be wetter than usual. INAMHI makes the prediction based on water temperatures in the Pacific that are slightly higher than normal but says more rain is needed to overcome the deficit from last fal... [More]

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Editor's note: The following is a sample of opinions of Cuencanos about the foreigners living in and visiting Cuenca. They were compiled by University of Cuenca graduate student Silvia Lara for an article about international immigration. The comments refer to all foreigners considere... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the seventh installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. The plane touched down at Cuenca’s Mariscal... [More]

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Cuenca is making plans to reopen one of city’s oldest and most historic streets. Actually an alley way, Calle Santa Ana, which runs between the cathedral and Raymipampa restaurant on Calle Benigno Malo, has been bricked shut for decades. City, church and civic leaders envision S... [More]

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Almost a month after the $1.3 million robbery of a government run pawn service at Cuenca’s Social Security office, small crowds continue to gather to protest repayment terms for lost jewelry. The heist, which remains unsolved, occurred over Easter Weekend but was not di... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the sixth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. We found Ibarra to be a heavy-duty Ecuadorian city, nin... [More]

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Note: The following is a blog post by experienced trekker, RoundPicture. As he points out, hiking the Cajas can be strenuous and is often dangerous. Trails can be poorly marked and weather is unpredictable with temperatures falling well below freezing at night. Prepare well before hiking. &nbs... [More]

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For those with fond memories of Benihana, the U.S.-based restaurant chain famous for its flashing knives and Japanese chefs (sometimes of dubious pedigree), Cuenca responds with its own teppan grill, Otabe, on Av. Remigio Crespo. As with all Japanese grills, the food is cooked at high tempe... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. I’d made reservations at Casa Sol in Quito for Ca... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. The International Living conference en... [More]

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Parades, crafts shows, races, fireworks and a thanksgiving mass at the new cathedral highlighted the 453rd anniversary of Cuenca’s Spanish founding on Monday. Several thousand attended a mid-morning parade in the historic district. Marching bands and dance troupes from city schools wer... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. The next morning, Wednesday, the Interna... [More]

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The number of American citizens and green-card holders severing their ties with the U.S. soared in the latter part of 2009, amid looming U.S. tax increases and a more aggressive posture by the Internal Revenue Service towards Americans living overseas. According to public records, just over ... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. We went to Ecuador, initially, to attend a f... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. We’d just spent 24 hours traveling and 36 ho... [More]

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Cuenca's easter soup, faneseca, is considered to be the best in Latin America and it is a tradition among Cuencanos to have at least one bowl of it during Holy Week. It will be served in mercado food courts and at a handful of restaurants until Easter Sunday. After that, it... [More]

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[Editor's note: An exposition of the work of Cuenca cermacist Eduardo Segovia opens tonight at CIDAP and continues through April. The theme of the exhibit, according to organizers, is a celebration of the popular fesitvals of Ecuador. CIDAP is located at the Escalinatas (Call... [More]

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Pending final approval from Ecuador’s Civil Aviation Council, AirCuenca will take to the skies April 12, expanding Cuenca’s air travel options. Ecuador’s newest airline will offer daily service between Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil and twice weekly service to Macas and Santa ... [More]

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Ecuador's government will not drop the U.S. dollar as its currency, despite recent speculation, while stronger economic growth this year could lead to the reduction of some trade barriers, Ecuador's central bank head said Friday. "The government of President (Rafael) Correa has ... [More]

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CUENCA FOOD
For the best hamburger in Cuenca, and the biggest portions too, it’s Inca Lounge and Bistro

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: EcuADORE

From New South Wales to Cuenca: Calle Larga cafe reflects a passion for informality and simplicity

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: Getting to know the city

Women face more barriers in establishing an exercise routine; personal trainer explains how to overcome them

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: A place for us in Cuenca?

CUENCA DIGEST
Cuenca weather forecast: April showers give way to more showers in May; annual rainfall is still below normal

What Cuencanos have to say about gringos: 'they enrich the local culture, bring in more business but need to lose some weight and learn Spanish"

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: feeling right at home

Reopening of one of Cuenca's oldest streets will provide access to historic buildings, create an artisans' market

CUENCA DIGEST
Social Security jewelry heist continues to spark discontent

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
One thing leads to another in Ibarra, then back to Quito

DAY TRIPPING
Three options for exploring Parque Nacional Cajas for experienced hikers

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Japanese steak house on Av. Remigio Crespo comes complete with flashing knives ... but no MSG

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Crafts, leather, guinea pigs ... and barbed wire

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Northern Highlands: The road to Otavalo

CUENCA DIGEST
Cuenca foundation celebration concludes with a busy day

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
First impressions: The International Living confab ... and an Ecuadorian at heart

Increasing number of U.S. expats give up citizenship as IRS gets aggressive about overseas asset reporting

SHEL'S AND FRANK’S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
First impressions: Date with destiny and incognito in Quito

SHEL'S AND FRANK’S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
First impressions: Leaving Ecuador – and dreaming of returning

For soup lovers around the world, Semana Santa in Cuenca means one thing: bring on the fanesca!

CIDAP exhibit by Cuenca ceramicist Eduardo Segovia celebrates Ecuador's popular festivals

AirCuenca is set for an April launch; after months of delays, new airline will increase in-country passenger options

Ecuador has no plans to replace the U.S. dollar says Central Bank director; predicts economic growth for 2010