Ecuador - Cuenca Again
Map of Cuenca
http://www.exploringecuador.com/maps/cuenca_city_map.htm
Hotel Macondo
http://hostalmacondo.com/
Price - $18 for a double room and a shared bath. We had a private bath one night and I think it was $25. This also includes a good breakfast of hearty and varied bread rolls, juice, coffee/tea and you can pay a little extra for eggs etc.
Cleanliness – Very clean
Comfort – Nice mattresses and pillows. Good water pressure and temp in most of the showers. The one in the back on the right wasn’t so great, but all the others worked really well. It is on a busy street, but the rooms are set back, so you don’t hear any street noise. The only problem was the curtains were a little sheer. I always felt like people could see in the room.
Character – This is a beautiful relaxing place to spend a few days. They have a wonderful garden area outside and an inside courtyard type thing with lots of plants etc. too. The staff are extremely friendly and contribute to a positive atmosphere.
Amenities – breakfast, hot water, shared kitchen, free wireless Internet (no computers available). They had a tv in the dining room with access to local channels, but no cable. Board games and a well stocked book exchange were available Close enough to walk to a popular dining and bar spots.
Recommended? Yes! It was so relaxing and friendly.
Some Good eating/drinking spots in Cuenca
Cafe Eucalyptus – A restaurant/bar that definitely caters to foreigners but the mid-upper class locals are there too. Great decorations, International food. Ladies night on Wed ($3 cover for 4 drinks) Live music and dancing on Sat nights. (Gran Colombia)
El Santos – A bar with snacks. Ladies night on Thursday ($3 and drink all you want from a list of 5 choices). Min of $3 for men too. Good music, but not a lot of room for dancing. (Benigno Malo y Mariscal Lamar )
Mama Quinua (I’m spelling it completely wrong) - A set lunch for $1.75 that includes soup, main dish, juice and mini- dessert. It is run by a group of women who have projects going to improve the lives of local women. The profits help to support their work. Next door is a great artesian market as well as street vendors selling some cheep clothes etc. (General Torres y Mariscal Sucre)
El Paraiso (spelling again) – a vegetarian restaurant. Another great set lunch place. Divine juices and amazing desserts (San Blas plaza)
Zoocieodad Cafe (spelling again) – a cafe/bar with a fun atmosphere. The food is just average. They have blow darts upstairs. (½ way down the Benigno Malo ramp)
Pizza/ice cream place (it has a real name, but I don’t know what it is) – right next door to the San Blas Church. It has a great weekday special. A individual pizza, juice and ice cream for $2. They have other similar specials too with burgers and salads etc.
Panchos a brand new cafe that serves interesting burritos and other snacks like chips and guacamole. The owner designed and made all the furniture. It is really interesting and a great atmosphere. The mora margaritas are delicious and strong! (Calle Larga and the escilanatas)
Moliendos a Colombian restaurant. A Cuencan favorite. You can get vegetarian meals there too. (Honorato Vasquez)