Carola Paredes & James Wilson

Discovering Cuenca

We invite you to join us for some fun activities in the days before and after the ceremony to enjoy Cuenca and the surrounding region.

Weather

July and August in Ecuador is the peak of the dry season quite like late Autumn in North America. The mountain region near Cuenca has cool sunny days between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10C to 22C). During the night, the temperatures dip down into the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit (below 10C). The coastal region is much warmer, but not offensively hot. There is usually cloud cover on the coast and occasional misty rain.

Bring chapstick, powerful sun-block (30+). Dress in layers and bring along warm clothing (jeans, t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, sweater, thick socks).

Thursday, 30th of July

Option 1. Cuenca walking tour and gastronomy tour - Half Day

In the morning will be organizing a half day tour to admire the colonial architecture, the inca ruins, markets and a Panama hat factory. During the tour will be visiting some traditional places were you can taste the amazing Ecuadorian gastronomy, including the delicious locro de papa potato soup, corn-based humitas and banana-leaf wrapped tamales. For the sweet tooth, homemade candies from the cloistered nuns in the Monasterio de las Conceptas.

Option 2. Cajas National Park - Full Day (2-3 hours walking)

We will take a day trip to Cajas National Park located just 30 minutes outside Cuenca. The park is 100 square miles (290 km2) encompassing everything from cloud forest to rocky lunar landscapes at altitudes above 13,000 feet (4000 meters) above sea level. We will have lunch on a rustic farm to taste the famous trout and potato soup.

Friday, 31st of July

(Optional) Half-day hot springs / spa

Relax, rejuvenate, and recuperate from the adventures from yesterday warming up in the hot-springs, and take a therapeutic mud bath, steam room, facial, etc. They say that natural mineral spring water is very good for your health and bathing in these natural pools are good for joint pain, arthritis, and other physical ailments. Novaqua is an exclusive spa located in Baños, just 10 minutes from Cuenca.

Saturday, 1st of August

Wedding ceremony starts at 3pm at the Iglesia San Francisco and the reception will be held at Quinta Pomelé in Challuabamba from 5pm until 2am-ish. We'll provide transportation from the church to the quinta and back at various times throughout the evening.

Dress code

Lounge suit for him, cocktail dress for her. Bear in mind that August in the Andes will be warm during the day but quite chilly at night, so dress in layers, women should have a shawl and jacket. Comfortable shoes are required to walk around in the garden.

Kid-friendly

You're welcome to bring your kids to the reception and any of the events before and after the wedding. We have several cousins with young children in the family.

Sunday, 2nd of August

Las Cumbres

After the big party come and join us to cure your hangover, take a nap on the grass and enjoy the amazing landscape of the Andean highlands surrounded by Cojitambo and Pachamama mountains both considered as a sacred land for our Incan ancestors. We'll visit the ancient ruins nearby.

For more than twelve years the whole family and friends gathered together every Sunday to our country house called Las Cumbres. Everyone helps prepare the traditional local dishes from the Ecuadorian gastronomy and then we eat together sitting around a warm bonfire.

As a special menu we offered you the delicious Sanchez’ Barbecue prepared by our uncle Vichy and cousins, the traditional woodfire roast chicken and vegetables and our grandma Albita’s empanadas with organic hot chocolate. And of course some fresh local beer and the canelazo a delicious cane liquor and hot herbal infusion.

Monday, 3rd thru 7th of August

Tour Ecuador with the Newlyweds

Before we take off on a honeymoon, we are organizing a short trip for our guests hitting some of the highlights of Ecuador the week after the wedding. You'll see Humpback whales and Blue-footed Boobies on the coast, then back up into the mountains to see beautiful Andean highlands, active snow-capped volcanos and breathtaking crater lakes. Then we will take a jaunt down into the Amazon rain forest, passing by amazing waterfalls on our way, and visiting indigenous jungle villages, finishing up back in the mountains in the historic capital city, Quito, near the Mitad del mundo (middle of the world) monument, and other interesting attractions.

We're happy to help advise you on extending your trip with visits on the train line that crosses the Andes and down the Nariz del Diablo, as well as the Galapagos Islands.

For more detailed information about each region of Ecuador and our recommendations on what to do and where to go, read our About Ecuador page.

Travel Logistics

Getting Here

The nearest international airport is in Guayaquil (GYE). From there, it's 3 hours by van or a 30 minute connecting flight on TAME or LAN Airlines. Please note that the last connection flight leaves for Cuenca at 8pm. We can help arrange private van service (70USD) to pick you up and bring you to Cuenca if your flight arrives later.

If you want to travel around Ecuador, we might suggest getting a return flight out of Quito, so you don't have to back-track down to Guayaquil. Let us know if you have any questions before you book!

Lodging

The historic center of Cuenca is not only filled with churches on every other corner, but also has a plethora of hotels, short-term apartments, and other lodging options to choose from in all price ranges and comfort levels.

Here are a few lodging suggestions to choose from with our recommendations and why we picked them, we also recommend you explore on Booking.com and TripAdvisor.com to get a better idea of what is available with pictures and reviews.

$$$$ (100 USD +)

• Mansión Alcazar
  $235 /night for 2 ppl.
  If you are passionate about the cultural heritage and colonial architecture and want to splurge, stay at this 5-star hotel for a night!
• Santa Lucia Boutique Hotel
  $169 /night for 2 ppl.
  Another 19th century colonial house located in the heart of the city, 4 stars.
• Hotel Victoria
  $120 /night for 2 ppl.
  Historic hotel located on the banks of the Tomebamba river with beautiful decoration and excellent location. Sale: 3 nights from $230.
• Hotel San Juan
  $122 /night for 2 ppl.
  Colonial-style mansion located in Cuenca in the historical district, 4 stars.

$$$ (50 USD to 100 USD)

• Hotel Casa San Rafael
  $90 /night for 2 ppl.
  Beautiful colonial architecture, 5 minutes walking from the main square.
• Rioné Boutique Hotel
  $97 /night for 2 ppl.
  Modern 4-star hotel, far from the noise of the historic center, 10 minutes walking and 4 minutes by taxi to the main square and restaurants. The superior quality and stellar price could be well worth the the few extra dollars to upgrade to this, if you don't mind a bit of a walk. (197 reviews on booking.com!!)
• Hotel Casa del Aguila
  $80 /night for 2 ppl.
  Featuring charming décor with Colonial-style objects and stucco walls, good restaurant, close to main attractions.
• Hotel San Andres
  $80 /night for 2 ppl.
  Nice location in historical center.

$$ (35 USD to 70 USD)

• Casa de Lidice
  $69 /night for 2 ppl.
  Bed & breakfast with modern installations in a restored home in the historic center. We might be able to swing a discount for groups, let us know if interested. ;)
• Cuenca Suites (website)
  $70 /night for 2 ppl.
  Independent and modern suites and studio apartments located in the historic center, excellent prices for longer stays (week+).
• Hostal Ines Maria
  $61 /night for 2 ppl.
  Beautiful architecture.
• La Cigale
  $35 /night for 2 ppl.
  Nice hostel with excellent and economical restaurant/bar at the heart of the party.
• Hostal Casa del Barranco
  $56 /night for 2 ppl.
  Superb views overlooking the Tomebamba River and the new town, also near the heart of the party.