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Cuenca recorded its highest temperature in 30 years Thursday, when the thermometer hit 27.5 Celsius or 81 Fahrenheit. The city’s all-time high temperature, 29.5 celsius or 85 Fahrenheit, was recorded in November 1979. Marcelo Narvaez of the meteorology...
Torrential rain has washed away the blood where the family fell under a hail of wooden spears. But memories of what happened this summer are still fresh in the minds of those who live and work here. At first the security guard inside the perimeter fence of the...
Cuenca is revising rules to protect historic buildings and will have a new comprehensive plan in place by summer 2010, according to officials. Mayor Paul Granda says that because of weak and poorly enforced ordinances, a number of buildings that should have been...
Tucked away in downtown Paute, Corvel (Simon Bolivar 8-37 y Lumtur) is a charming little restaurant that lives up to its motto, “The art of good service.” Not only does it offer comfortable seating, both indoors and on the terrace and patio areas, but it contains a...
The government of Peru announced Friday that it will transfer as much as 1,200 megawatts per hour of electricity to Ecuador beginning next week. The transfer is intended to provide relief to Ecuador’s drought-stricken hydro-electric production system....
Ecuador's worst drought in 45 years is forcing restrictions on electric power use as federal officials announce a series of blackouts aimed at reducing consumption by 5% to 10%. Most of the country's energy is hydro-electric and water levels at the largest generating...
The popular travel guide Lonely Planet has named Cuenca one of the 10 top cities for travelers in its Best in Travel 2010 guide. The annual snapshot book focuses on the world's hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead,...
How do Cuenca and Quito compare? It's a question in the minds of many foreigners considering relocating to Ecuador. The short –and probably the best-- response is, ‘come down and see for yourself.’ There are, however, similarities...
Latin America has long enticed budget-oriented travelers with its low prices, and as the global economic crisis lingers, the bargains are increasingly tempting — especially when it comes to a luxury vacation. Meals are often half the cost of their European...
Although it is true that one of the major perks for living in Ecuador is high quality, low cost health care, finding it requires some due diligence. Where you choose to live can also have a lot to do with the quality of care you receive. With the right choices, you...
Although new statistics show a modest annual increase in crime throughout Ecuador, they also show rapid growth rates in several cities and in northern areas of the country. On Oct.1, the government announced that it was taking emergency measures to stem the crime tide...
The Azuay Province Chamber of Tourism of Azuay has embarked on a five month campaign of special events to promote local tourism. Events will include music and dance presentations, special greetings for travelers arriving at Cuenca’s airport and walking tours of...
Azuay Province governor Leonardo Berrezueta is putting a bulls eye on illegal lenders he says are gouging consumers. Known as chulqueros, the black market lenders charge between 3% and 10% interest a month. “These lenders feed on the distress of the people are...
Cuenca’s newest hostal is open for business in the city’s Barranco district, across Calle Tres de Noviembre from Rio Tomebamba. Formerly housing the Chilean consulate and an interior design shop, the Villa Nova Inn offers 12...
Interested in checking out two of Ecuador’s most popular areas for foreign investors and expatriates -- the south coast and the Andean colonial city of Cuenca? TransAndean Trading Company and Ecuador Properties have announced dates for their October real estate...
Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism are teaming up to develop a five-year tourism marketing plan. The goal, according to the ministry, is to achieve annual tourism growth of 16% by 2014. Growth in the past five years has averaged 10%,...
Cuenca’s Public Works Department is launching an all-out assault on the city’s historic cobblestone streets. “For too long, we have resorted to patch-work fixes and these simply do hold up,” says Bolivar Alban, new public works director....
Cuenca’s new Director of Cultural Affairs, Diego Carrasco, believes improved planning of department projects will result in better service to the public. Carrasco, a professor at the University of Azuay, has served director of culture for Azuay Province and as...
Responding to a growing number of complaints, Cuenca Mayor Paul Granda has announced a series of meetings with managers and vendors at the sprawling west-side El Arenal market. In recent months, shoppers and vendors at the market --commonly known as Fiera Libre-- say...
Many gas stations in Portoviejo and Manta are limiting customers to a $5 purchase due to gasoline shortages. According to distributors, the problem is the result of technical problems at the Esmeraldas oil refinery and smuggling at the Colombian and Peruvian borders....
