www.ecuadors.org

[Kadijah]

What is the best way to get to Cuenca? I see some flights from Seattle to Quito and Guayaquil but not Cuenca. Thanks

[Drak]

You may have already come to Cuenca and if so I hope that you had a great time in our city. Cuenca is not an International Airport so it is necessary to fly in from Quito or Guayaquil on TAME or one of the other local airlines. The other option is to take the bus from Guayaquil -- it takes from 3 to 4 hours through some of the most fantastic scenery I have seen as you climb into the Andes. The road clings to the sides of mountains so if you are afraid of heights this may not be the option for you but although I am not a fan of high places I have done it several times and the views are spectacular. It is also possible to take the bus from Quito and experience the Pan American Highway and the highlands of the Andes -- a beautiful trip but a long one (9 to 12 hours) depending on the time of day and the number of stops the bus makes. So it depends on whether one is only interested in arriving in Cuenca or has the time and/or the desire to see more of the country.