Have you ever walked through the streets of Cuenca and wondered what lies behind its beautiful doors?

Hidden throughout the historic center are charming gardens and peaceful courtyards that you could easily walk right past without ever knowing they are there.

These beautiful patios and interior gardens are part of Cuenca’s colonial heritage and a distinctive feature of traditional Spanish architecture. Some are hidden behind centuries-old doors, others are tucked away inside historic buildings — each with its own atmosphere and story.

Join me on a walking tour to discover some of the most beautiful courtyards and gardens in Cuenca....

Monday, October 12 is Newcomer’s Luncheon! The event will be held from noon to 2 PM at Common Grounds Sports Bar and Grill in Cuenca.

Enjoy a great, inexpensive $7 special menu with these options:

• Chicken tortilla soup and a salad

• Beef burger over mashed potatoes and gravy

• Pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw

Includes a soft drink.

This luncheon is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and learn about community activities, entertainment, hobbies, and volunteer work. Meet residents who have lived in Cuenca from 8 days to 8 years.

No reservations are required. Contact Common Grounds...

Amauta Spanish School, in partnership with the Alcaldía de Cuenca, invites you to a welcoming event designed to help new residents navigate life in Cuenca with ease and confidence.

This event covers essential topics including:

• Spanish lessons

• Visas and immigration paperwork

• Taxes and local finances

• Hospital and healthcare services

• Basic utilities setup

• Recycling and waste management

• Culture and local events

• Insurance options

• End-of-life planning

No boring lectures or confusion—just clear, practical guidance to help you feel at home quickly.

Join us to get connected and start your new life in beautiful...

Join us for a great afternoon of friendship, chat, and delights of the British tradition of Afternoon Tea.

Wednesday October 14 starting at 4 PM come and treat yourself to a delightful experience.

Indulge in a selection of English tea leaves with new flavors and enjoy as many cups as you like.

For the savory part, we offer this week:

• Ricotta and caramelized onions parcel

• Turkey and cucumber

• Roast beef and mustard

On the cake selection:

• Lemon trifle

• Shortbread

• Chocolate éclair

• Dates with 70% cacao

Lastly:

• On the top tier, fruit scone...

Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with delicious home delivery from the Canadian Kitchen in Cuenca.

Menu highlights:
• Turkey combo, $20, includes turkey en croute, holiday mashed potatoes, caramelized carrots with green peas and onion, Nana’s stuffing, and cranberry salad

• Vegetarian combo available

A la carte options:

• Pumpkin coconut bisque

• Cranberry salad

• Nana’s stuffing

• Vegetarian stuffing

• Holiday mashed potatoes

• Mashed medley

• Autumn mac n’ cheese

Desserts:
• Rum raisin bread pudding
• Pumpkin cheesecake pierogi with vanilla whip topping

Order before Thursday for delivery on Sunday.

Contact Robin at the Canadian Kitchen for the...

Come enjoy our Tuesday special at Sunday Brunch Cuenca Café! Our Wet Chicken Burrito is a big, filling, meal packed with flavor.

The burrito features a warm tortilla stuffed with shredded chicken, rice, bell peppers, onions, and black beans. It is covered with savory sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then topped with fresh lettuce, cabbage, and avocado. For $7.50

Sunday Brunch: Cuenca Café offers more than just brunch:

• American-style breakfasts

• Pancakes and French toast

• Pho

• Spring rolls

• Sandwiches and comfort food

• Great coffee

We are a small local restaurant located at Estévez de Toral...

Come discover TerraBowls in Cuenca, a cozy café specializing in delicious açaí bowls, smoothies, coffee, breakfast, and brunch.

Our açaí bowls are made with a creamy açaí base, crunchy granola, fresh fruits, and your favorite toppings — including peanut butter, honey, and Nutella.

$6 each açai bowl

We also offer smoothies, coffee, and breakfast options, so there is something for every craving.

• Location: Agustín Cueva y Padre Julio Matovelle, same street as Subway in Remigio Crespo
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM
• Menu and orders by WhatsApp at 098 728 2734
Delivery available

Looking for a place to have breakfast or brunch in Cuenca?

• At TerraBowls Breakfast, Brunch are served all day so you can take your time and enjoy them whenever you want.

We also have açaí bowls, smoothies, coffee, and more — with açaí bowls available all morning and afternoon. ($6 each acai bowl, smoothies $3.50 – $5.75)

Whether you’re meeting a friend, grabbing something after a workout, or just looking for something fresh and delicious, there’s always something to enjoy at TerraBowls.

We’re open Monday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 7 PM, and delivery is available too.

You...

Dear friends of Gramm, here we share some reasons to eat dates:

• Hangover: Help in sobering up real quick.
• Vision: When ingested orally, it reduces night blindness.
• Digestion: Healthy bowel movements and cure intestinal disorders.
• Energy: Boost energy for anemic patients and increases sexual stamina.
• Heart: Reduce risk of stroke and other health-related diseases.
• Nervous system: Boost the nervous system health.
• Bone health: Minerals present strengthen the bones.
• Allergies: Presence of organic sulfur reduces allergic reactions.
• Weight: Intake with cucumber paste aids weight management.

We want to reduce the use of...

We provide advanced painting solutions that will transform the look and feel of your home.

We offer professional interior painting, as well as exceptionally high-quality exterior painting services for houses and Apartments. We are a full-service painting company, and use only the highest-quality materials.

We deliver guaranteed and professional work inside and out, for a fair and competitive price.

Our services:

• Interior painting

• Exterior painting

• Stucco installation

• Ceiling painting

• Stucco repair

• Deck staining

• Wood refinishing

• Cabinets refinishing and painting

• Pressure and soft washing

• Gutters painting and repair

• Gutters installation

What happens to your donations of clothing and household items at Hogar de Esperanza? First and foremost, your donations are provided directly to individuals and families in our community who are most in need. we carefully ensure that each item reaches someone for whom it will make a meaningful difference.

Any additional items that remain after these direct donations are sold in our Esperanza Thrift Shop. All proceeds from sales at the thrift shop go directly back into supporting Hogar de Esperanza’s vital programs and services, continuing our mission to assist those facing poverty, illness, and other challenging situations.

Are...

Our furniture cleaning experts will leave your sofas, chairs, and other items looking great and like new again.

With over 12 years of experience, we have been providing professional upholstery cleaning service that is not only affordable, but safe for you and your family.

Our Services include:

• Sofa cleaning

• Mattress cleaning and disinfection

• Rug cleaning

• Deep clean scrubbing

• Pet odor removal

• Recliner cleaning and disinfection

• Steam cleaning

• Carpet cleaning

• Stain removal

• Dry cleaning

• Stain pre-treatment

• Water clean-up

• Quick drying

• Deodorization

• Pressure washing

• House cleaning

A routine medical consultation may be manageable. A hospitalization, surgery, or major emergency can quickly become an expense of thousands of dollars.

That is why good health insurance is not simply about “having a policy.” It is about being able to access private clinics, medical specialists, emergency care, hospitalization, prescription medications, ambulance services, and other medical benefits when you truly need them.

At BlueBox, we work with health plans designed for different ages, needs, and budgets. Our clients can access private medical networks and receive care for both everyday medical needs and more complex health situations.

Do you have a...

Your one-stop tech solution!
Are you having trouble with your devices? Look no further! It will be an absolute pleasure to welcome our foreign customers and offer you the best, most reliable service in town.

Expert repair and maintenance.
We fix and maintain it all so your tech runs like new:

• Cell Phones (All brands and models)

• Computers and Laptops

• Video Game Consoles

…and much more!

Apple devices and accessories.
Looking for an upgrade? We’ve got you covered:
IPhones for sale
Premium Apple accessories: Charging cables, power adapters, headphones/earbuds, and more!

We speak English!
We know how...

Looking for natural, non-toxic, and handcrafted self-care products in Cuenca?

We craft high-quality artisan products made with 100% pure essential oils, designed to nourish your skin and elevate your daily wellness routine:

• Artisan soaps: gentle, moisturizing, and beautifully scented.
• Aromatherapy mists/sprays: perfect for linens, rooms, or a refreshing body boost.
• Exfoliating scrubs: smooth and renew your skin naturally.
• Natural deodorants: aluminum-free, effective, and gentle on sensitive skin.
• Wellness roll-ons: convenient aromatherapy blends for stress relief, energy, sleep, and focus.

Official doTERRA distributor: we also supply 100% pure, certified therapeutic-grade doTERRA essential oils for all your...

IV drip therapy is a modern approach to wellness that delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream, ensuring maximum absorption and faster results compared to oral supplements.

Key benefits backed by science and clinical practice:

• Hydration: IV therapy restores fluid balance efficiently, helping prevent fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps caused by dehydration.

• Bone and joint relief: Specific formulations with minerals like magnesium and calcium may support bone health, reduce muscle tension, and ease chronic pain or inflammation.

• System support: High doses of vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants strengthen the body’s natural defenses, making it...

Are you new to Cuenca and not fluent in Spanish? I am a multilingual lawyer and translator fluent in Spanish, English, and German, ready to assist you with your transition.

• Document translation

• Assistance with paperwork and procedures

• Help booking flights, cell phone plans, and internet service
• Support at banks, offices, and public services

On-site translation and interpretation

• Assistance with shopping, rentals, and personal errands
• Transportation and vehicle accompaniment (subject to availability)

My goal is to help you communicate confidently and manage your paperwork quickly and securely. Personalized service for expats, tourists, students, and professionals.

Marcelo Parra offers safe, reliable, and personalized transportation and assistance services in Cuenca and beyond. This is not a taxi service but a pre-arranged ride service tailored for expats and visitors.

Day trips and excursions include:

• Gualaceo and Chordeleg (artisan towns)

• Ingapirca (Inca ruins)

• El Cajas National Park (hiking and nature)

• Girón Waterfalls (adventure and scenery)

And more

Airport transfers provide comfortable on-time service to/from:

• Cuenca

• Quito

• Guayaquil

Assistance services include help with car registration, cédula renewal, utilities setup, medical appointments, vet visits, and more.

Transportation options include an SUV for up to...

For 28 years, Miriam J. León and María S. León, the Hermanas León, have transformed beauty into confidence through their passion for hair care and styling.

At Imagen Peluquería, we believe beautiful hair is not only seen but felt, cared for, and transformed.

Our exclusive hair care treatments include:

• Vitamin ABC shampoo for nutrition and vitality, leaving hair strong and full of life.
• Hyaluronic acid shampoo for hydration and softness, restoring flexibility and shine.
• 18 proteins shampoo for reconstruction and strengthening of weakened, damaged, or chemically treated hair.

• Experience expert knowledge

• Technique

• Dedication

•...

Do veneers always require shaving down your teeth? Not necessarily.

One of the biggest misconceptions about veneers is that your teeth always have to be heavily prepared. In selected cases, minimally invasive or even no-prep veneers may be possible.

It all depends on your teeth, bite, enamel, alignment, and aesthetic goals. That’s why we believe your smile should be evaluated first before deciding what type of treatment is right for you.

At Innovative Dental in Cuenca, you’ll be treated by qualified dental specialists, with an English-speaking team, so communication won’t be a problem.

Smile design and veneers starting at $120...

Maybe you think twice before taking a long walk.
You avoid reaching for something on a high shelf.
You get out of bed slowly because you already know your hip or back is going to complain.
Or you have stopped doing certain things because your body just does not feel as reliable as it used to.

That is often how persistent pain changes your life — not all at once, but little by little.

My job is not simply to massage the painful area or tell you to “take it easy.”

As a physiotherapist, I assess why movement has become...

You know that quote from Forrest Gump; “My mama’ always said; ‘life is like a box of Chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get’”

However, this isn’t the way health insurance should be!

And… It isn’t with Global Safe Insurance Brokers!
We’re Expats like you, and know, at times with the language, customs, or cultural differences we may think; “Did I understand everything?”, or “Where do I go, or who do I contact for my claim?”

These are just some questions, doubts, and concerns you may have amongst the many others.

We have over 30 years experience in...

Living in Ecuador gives you countless opportunities to use Spanish — you just need the confidence and the right tools to make the most of them.

Whether you are a complete beginner, have some Spanish under your belt, or are already an advanced speaker, there is a place for you at Vamos. Our courses are organized by level, with structured lessons, clear learning objectives, and materials that help you build your skills step by step.

Learn the Spanish you will actually use: ordering at a restaurant, chatting with your neighbors, asking for directions, making appointments, shopping at the market, or...

Are you a retired Expat that doesn’t understand how the jig works in Cuenca?
Do you need help and assistance with your daily routine in a Spanish speaking country?

Look no further!
I’m Matheo, 20 year old, US born and raised, grew up in Ecuador. College student from Cuenca who will Happily assist you with your everyday needs.

Need someone to help you communicate with Ecuadorean locals?
Need someone to translate doctors orders?
Need someone to help you avoid scams?
Need a local who you can confidently talk to in English and Spanish?

Then I’m your guy!!!
Native English...

Do you live in Cuenca and want to feel more confident speaking Spanish?

I offer personalized Spanish classes for adults and teenagers, focused on real conversations and practical Spanish you can actually use in everyday life.

• Conversation-focused lessons

• Spanish for daily life, travel, and living in Ecuador

• Beginner to intermediate levels

• Online classes available

• In-person classes in Cuenca

• Interactive activities and real-life practice

• Lessons adapted to your level, interests, and goals

Interested? Send me a message to learn more or schedule your first class.

See you in class!

Clara, 099 954 8898

Address:...

Need a clean, secure place to store furniture, boxes, business equipment, or household items?

• Large garage – about 180 sq ft / 16.75 m²
• Located in Primero de Mayo, close to the New Bridge

• Easy access for loading and unloading

Minimum rental period of 3 months

Price: $80 per month

• Perfect if you are downsizing

• Moving

• Renovating

Or simply need extra space

Contact me to get more details or to schedule a visit.

Barbie, Send me a message

Address: Lizardo Abad, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador 

Dr. Daniel Chocho Domínguez offers comprehensive medical care and occupational health services in Cuenca, Quingeo.

Medical care services include:

• Comprehensive care for children, adults, and older adults

• Acute illness care

• Chronic disease management and follow-up

• Postoperative care

• Sexual and reproductive health

• Family planning

• Sutures, wound care, IV fluids, and injections

Occupational medicine services include:

• Care for companies and workers

• Occupational medical evaluations

• Fitness-for-work evaluations

• Medical and fitness-for-work certificates

• Workplace risk identification

• Prevention plans for workplace accidents and occupational diseases

• Occupational Health and Safety Management

Daniel Santiago,...

I’m a little overdue in writing this review but I wanted to express my gratitude with the high level of service and support given to us by Sabrina Candela during a recent house purchase.

From the start, I knew we had chosen well. She was very professional and absolutely on top of every detail so that we had the smoothest and easiest experience imaginable. We were 100% confident that not only did she know everything we needed her to know to help us through the process, but she also is constantly paying close attention to changes in local laws regarding...