Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. The city is located in a highland valley at about 2,500 meters above sea level and has a population of approximately 580,000. Its moderate climate makes it enjoyable year-round. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its many historical buildings. Everywhere you look in Cuenca, there are flowers, blooming trees, grass, and rushing waters. The city is cleaner and safer than most large cities in developing countries and has claims of having purer water than most U.S. and European cities. Cuenca is a city whose culture encompasses over 100 years or more at the same time, with modern buildings, high-speed internet, and wireless communications, while also seeing natives washing their clothes in the river and talking on cell phones. The city is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with passes to the west, south, and east, and is home to the Cajas National Park, which is well worth a visit