Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory
5
Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory
By Cuenca Bestours
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About
This sightseeing tour of Cuenca combines vehicle transport with easy strolling so you can soak up multiple landmarks at a mellow pace. The Modern Art Museum, El Sagrario (Old Cathedral), flower market and Panama hat factory, plus Mirador de Turi viewpoint are all stops on the half-day itinerary, starting with hotel pickup.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-80
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
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Highlights
- Half-day Cuenca tour includes scenic viewpoint and multiple stops
- Easy way to explore neighborhoods like San Sebastian
- Guide discusses colonial architecture, parks, and museums
- Transport provided from centrally located hotels
- Professional tour guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transportation
What's not included- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- Pick-up is included in centrally located hotels or Airbnb. If your location is in the outskirts, please contact us for further details.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 28838P6- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please contact us to info@cuencabestours.com within 2 days notice to reconfirm the tour.
- For 1 to 5 passengers, a bilingual guide will also be the driver. For more than 5 passengers, a driver and a bilingual guide will be provided.
- Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Most travellers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 28838P6
From
AU$48.62
per adult (price varies by group size)
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Itinerary
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Bartosz R0 contributionsCajas half day tripgreat trip south to Cajas. with the guide we could see the park from a different side and learn stories about fauna and flora. very interesting experience. we highly recommend :)Written 21 January 2025
- cjmG1786CU0 contributionsTraditional Ecuadorean FeastMy wife, sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class. Our English speaking guide and translator Wilson took us on an informative tour of Mercado 12 de Abril to acquire the ingredients. Our hostess Monserrate was very gracious and generous. She made us feel at home, taught us a lot and served us a great meal. We will be adding these recipes to our repertoire.Written 17 January 2025
- christophersD3656OL0 contributionsAwesome Experience, Great Knowledgeable Guide!The views were amazing, The pics came out awesome and our tour guide Wilson was very helpful and knew alot of facts about Cajas. It was a nice hike and I’d definitely recommend them and bring my family next too!Written 16 January 2025
- joepd7390 contributionsVery niceBoth the guide and the lady who taught us how to make a two typical ecuadorian dishes were great people. Would recommend!Written 13 January 2025
- 809jakat0 contributionsBeautiful pre-Christmas tour.Andres was great guide, spoke very good English and really knows a lot about national park. And the sun appeard for the last part of the trek was, so we saw Cajas in all colors.Written 23 December 2024
- R2469NLdanielag0 contributionsGreat tripWilson was an amazing guide and we had a wonderful time visiting Cajas National Park! We were back in Cuenca around 3:30pm and everything worked out smoothly. We really recommend visiting this park if you have a chance to do so!Written 23 December 2024
- jodiev5980 contributionsGreat tour!Amazing tour and guide. Cristian was very knowledgeable and easily transitioned from Spanish to English. I would recommend to family and friends. WeWritten 21 December 2024
- lneudorf0 contributionsBeautiful tour with knowledgeable guideThe guide was really friendly and knowledgeable. We spent a good amount of time at the various sites, and it didn't feel rushed.Written 15 December 2024
- sgrabiner0 contributionsExcellent customer serviceTremendously helpful team in arranging our transport from Cuenca to Guayaquil. My son had all his gear from the international adventure race, but everything went smoothly. Much appreciated.Written 15 December 2024
- ProntoConte0 contributionsCharming personal experience!Had a delightful and informative experience walking through a local produce mercado with Wilson, a professional guide who knows his territory. We were shopping for ingredients for lunch and I learned about the many special foods native to Ecuador. We were welcomed into Monse’s home to make a local meal. She is a good home cook and I was invited to help with preparing some of the ingredients. For me the best part of travel is getting to know the people, and even better to share a meal. Thank you for a special and intimate view of a modern local family. The world becomes smaller when we find common ground!Written 4 December 2024
- ProntoConte0 contributionsGood local serviceGood professional service. As a solo traveler I feel more comfortable to have hotel transfers arranged in advance when I arrive after dark in an unfamiliar city. I was relieved to see my name on a sign when I exited baggage claim. Although we didn’t speak much of the same language, the driver was helpful and welcoming.Written 1 December 2024
- steven w0 contributionsWe had a great time. Andres our guide was wonderful. The Cajas National park was beautiful. Cacao farm was interestingAndres was a great guide. Cajas park is beautiful. Food was great. Cacao farm was interesting. We had a great time. Now off to GalapagosWritten 30 November 2024
- Seaside044113072770 contributionsFamily Galapagos VacationWe had an AMAZING trip to Galapagos Islands! Javier planned everything! We visited Santa Fe, Isabela and Bartolome. We were in constant communication with him each day and everything went so smoothly!Written 29 November 2024
- Linsita0 contributionsA wonderful dayI really enjoyed this visit to Ingapirca and learned so much history about the Cañaris and Incas. The countryside is so beautiful and was a nice comfortable drive, with fun stops along the way. It feels really special to visit the site, and Andrés was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend this day trip, either private or as a shared tour.Written 28 November 2024
- Jamie_hughes5100 contributionsGreat tour!This was a great trip. Andres was a wonderful guide, shared a lot about Ecuador’s history and culture. The waterfall was beautiful! Overall a great dayWritten 17 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
57 reviews
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56
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0
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1
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Kelly D
3 contributions
Klever, my guide, was great; informative and knowledgeable. I appreciated the chance to go to the Panama Hat Factory to learn about the history and the process of making these hats. They are beautiful works of art. I also appreciated learning a bit about the history and architecture of the city and Old Town. The Mercado’s are intimidating without an introduction and Klever showed me around and i now feel empowered to be able to shop there on my own. All in all a great tour.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelsaroundUSA
Cambridge, MA100 contributions
Jan 2023
Wilson picked us up at the airport - he was waiting with a sign with our name on it. We drove to the Panama Hat Factory, where he explained the hat making process. Then drove around town a bit, and up the hill to the Turi overlook - great city views, and we visited a ceramic artist's gallery. Then we drove around town a bit more. Finally, we drove to the old town, where we had a walking tour that included the market, cathedral, central square, and more. After the tour, we paid a little extra to be dropped off at the Amaru Zoo (also recommended, but it's quite a hike, not a typical zoo).
Written 16 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie H
Quito, Ecuador1 contribution
Dec 2021
Tours are available in Spanish or English. Our guide spoke really good English. He grew up in Cuenca, so he has a deep knowledge of the city and culture. This tour was well worth the price. Our young children lasted the whole four hours because it was interesting throughout and had a good balance of driving and walking. I would highly recommend the company. They communicated well before the tour, picked us up on time, and the guide was friendly and knowledgable.
Written 28 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review! We are glad you enjoyed the Cuenca half-day city tour with us. We try to do our best to make out guests enjoy our tours and is fulfilling to hear that you appreciate it. We will be happy to have you onboard in the future.
Cuenca Bestours Team
Written 3 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rick B
23 contributions
July 2023
Our tour guide, Wilson, spoke excellent English, had in depth knowledge of the history and cultures of Cuenca and Ecuador. It was an outstanding walking tour along with transportation to the “balcony” overlooking the city. Wilson accommodated any request or need from our group of six ranging in age from teenager to senior citizen. We could not have been happier with his service and would recommend to anyone seeking a quick and comprehensive overview and personalized experience of Cuenca.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharonov
Chicago, IL150 contributions
Sebastian was a wonderful, informative guide. We only had two days in Cuenca, so this tour was ideal for giving the lay of the land. Tip: before buying a hat at the Panama hat factory, price some hats at the market. I suspect we overpaid.
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tooty
72 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Great relaxed half day tour with our lovely guide, Wilson. He flexed the itinerary based on our interests and gave us a fascinating insight into the history of Cuenca . We loved the Panama hat factory where they serve great coffee overlooking the City. A must do is the working gallery of the ceramicist Eduardo Vega …. Its location also gives a lovely Vista to the old City.
Written 5 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks a lot for leaving your valuable review, your words mean a lot to us. Lovely to hear that Wilson has made your day and that you got to learn about our city's history and the Panama hats. We would be happy to have you on another tour in the future.
Team Cuenca Bestours
Written 8 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Troy F
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Wilson was our guide and he was extraordinary. Speaks good English and VERY knowledgeable and he was fun. We enjoyed our half day trip with him so much that we booked a full day trip with him two days later. One of the things he took us to was a Panama hat manufacturer (which he informed us that they are Ecuador hats but named Panama because they were originally made for workers working on the Panama Canal. ) Anyway, if your looking for a half day trip that’s informative and fun and you need an English speaking guide, Wilson is your man!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're delighted to hear that Wilson made your tours extraordinary.
It's wonderful to know that Wilson's proficiency in English, extensive knowledge, and fun personality added so much value to your half-day trip that you decided to book a full day with him two days later. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the experience with him.
The insight about the origin of Panama hats is a great example of the informative touch that Wilson brings to his tours. We appreciate you highlighting this detail and providing historical context.
Your recommendation of Wilson as the go-to guide for an informative and enjoyable half-day trip is truly appreciated.
Cuenca Bestours Team
Written 23 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jair Soares
Ibiuna, SP16 contributions
We were with Xavier on a tour of the historic center of Cuenca. It was sensational, as we had the opportunity to learn about the history of the city through its buildings. Xavier showed us in detail architectural and historical aspects of the city's main attractions. I highly recommend the tour with him.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
É gratificante saber que o tour pelo centro histórico de Cuenca com Xavier foi sensacional para você.
Ficamos felizes em saber que Xavier proporcionou uma experiência enriquecedora, oferecendo informações detalhadas sobre os aspectos arquitetônicos e históricos das principais atrações da cidade. Transmitiremos seus elogios a ele.
Sua recomendação significa muito para nós, e esperamos ter a oportunidade de recebê-lo/a novamente em futuros passeios pela encantadora Cuenca.
Cuenca Bestours Team
Written 13 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MG
San Diego, CA17 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
As a seasoned traveler, I look for a personal experience of a destination and an overview of what’s special about a place. My afternoon with Wilson was perfect for my needs, to get to know a local who loves his city and knows it well. I was lucky to have a private tour with excellent service, good communication and flexibility. Honestly I don’t care about seeing every church, but I do appreciate getting details about why this one is special. Beautiful architecture in Cuenca.
The Panama Hat factory was a highlight! Such a special place to see exquisite crafts being respected and kept alive. Hard to resist buying one of these treasures.
I highly recommend this tour!
The Panama Hat factory was a highlight! Such a special place to see exquisite crafts being respected and kept alive. Hard to resist buying one of these treasures.
I highly recommend this tour!
Written 4 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing to hear that our tour was up to your standards. We're extremely happy that you appreciated the service and communication and that Wilson has given you a wonderful day. Thank you so much for recommending us.
Team Cuenca Bestours
Written 10 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave @ our placemedia
West Vancouver, Canada340 contributions
Wilson G provided a wonderful educational and inspiring half day tour of our favorite (so far) city in Ecuador. He gave a great mix of Ecuadorian culture, history and personal experiences. Do this tour as soon as you get to Cuenca.
Written 5 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hay disponibilidad de tour en horas de la tarde? Para el 22 de marzo para 5 personas
Written 28 February 2020
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