Cuenca’s high-rise building boom drives up prices; Ecuadorians parade in New York; Be a Formula 1 racer at Monay Mall; Join the Cuenca culinary tour
Bored? –
(De El Mercurio del domingo, 19/7) Votación para dar nombre a cóndor (Vote to name the condor) – <This won’t take a lot of time, but if you’re bored, it’s a few minutes of minor entertainment.> The Bioparque Amaru has opened
voting to name the 2nd condor chick. Voting for one of 3 names will be open until el 27/7. Each name represents a significant relationship with the conservation and history of the rearing of the bird. Sisay refers to the blooming of the Andean condor and the process of assisted rearing developed by the park. Mayu is tied to Cuenca, known as the city of 4 rivers, and to the defense of water. Wiñay represents the continuity of a new generation of Andean condors. As of el sábado, Sisay got 528 votes, Mayu got 508, and Wiñay 40. Vote on the social networks of the Bioparque Amaru.
Dozens of high-rise projects are under construction in Cuenca, driven by the demand of Ecuadorians living overseas or from coastal cities. The construction booms is driving prices higher, real estate agents say.
(De El Mercurio del domingo, 19/7) Cronos Racing – una experiencia inmersiva de automovilismo (Cronos Racing – an immersive experience in automotive racing) – Bolívar Cabrera Berrezueta started Cronos Racing because of the family’s passion for karting. It is located on the lower level of Monay Shopping and is open from 10-20:00, the same hours as the shopping center. You can buy plans starting with 10 minutes with the possibility of longer sessions. The space has high-quality driving simulators using the latest technology geared for entertainment as well as driver training. Users receive an experience close to driving in Formula 1 races and other international circuits. Each of the 5 professional simulators is equipped with 3 screens, a Formula 1 style steering wheel, pedals, gearbox, and competition seats.
During the simulation, the user confronts situations similar to a real race. A crash shows virtual damage such as a broken parabrisa (windshield – your word for the day), a wrong move can make you lose control of the car and leave the track. You can enjoy the drive as an individual or you simultaneously with friends. There is also a cafeteria and a comfortable waiting room. <Just in case someone has to drive you to the place and wait to take you home. I know a lot of you don’t have licenses to drive in Ecuador. This might help you nail the simulated road test at ANT, but it won’t do anything for your ability to pass the written test which requires at least some Spanish.>
(De El Mercurio derl mates, 20/7) Ecuatorianos desfilarán en EEUU del 2 de agosto (Ecuadorians will parade in the U.S. on August 2) – <This is for all of you reading CHL in the US, and especially in NY. If you’re thinking about moving here, you can get a little taste of Ecuador before you come. If you don’t like noise and parades, you might want to rethink coming here.> The 43d Desfile de Ecuatorianidad will be in NY city el domingo, 2/8 a las 11:00. The route will be along Av. Northern Boulevard from 69th to 87th Streets in Queens. The organizers said there will be comparsas, decorated cars, folk dances, live music, and invited performers. As part of the festivities, the Festival Ecuatoriano Gorayes will be el domingo, 9/8 from 11-18:00 in Flushing Meadows Park behind the Hall of Science. It will be a family event dedicated to Ecuadorian culture with typical food <cuy?>, live music, folkloric performances, crafts, and recreational activities for children and adults.
Hungry? –
(De El Mercurio del martes, 20/7) Dos proyectos destacan oferta culinaria cuencana (Two projects highlight Cuenca’s culinary offerings) – A 12-episode documentary on Cuenca’s culinary patrimony premiered el martes in the Teatro Sucre. It is the 2nd season of the “Cuenca Destino Gastronómico” series. The production tours mercados, traditional bakeries. restaurants, traditional kitchens, chefs and producers to show the history and practices that are part of the food heritage of the city. The city also presented “Cuenca Food Tours,” a portfolio that integrates various gastronomic routes for visitors to go to fine-dining restaurants, traditional establishments, mercados, productores and the “huecas” (hole in the wall places). <I’m not going to tell you my favorite off the beaten path places because I like them that way.>
Curious? –
(De El Mercurio del lunes, 20/7) Expansión inmobiliaria eleva demanda y precios (Real estate expansion drives up demand and prices) – The real estate market in Cuenca closed the 1st quarter of 2026 with an 8-10% growth over the same period of 2025, boosted by new high-rise housing, increase in demand <Finish reading the article before you start crowing about how gringos are making the real estate market take off.>, greater access to mortgage credit, and investment by buyers from other cities and Ecuadorian migrants living in the US. This dynamic puts pressure on land prices, makes housing more expensive, and keeps supplies short, especially in Vivienda de Interés Público (VIP – Public Housing).
Adrián Rodríguez, president of the Cámara Inmobiliaria Ecuatoriana (CAINEC – Ecuadorian Chamber of Real Estate) said that expansion is concentrated in high-rise construction in sectors such as San Sebastián, Ordóñez Lasso, Puertas del Sol, and the av. Primero de Mayo corridor. He said the prices range from $1200-1600 per square meter in 4 segments: economic housing — $900-1100, medium – $1000-1300, medium high – $1500-1900, and premium – $2000+. Prices rose between 4-6% with respect to 2025, attributable to increased costs of construction material, transport, inflation, and increased land costs. Also, the demand is not only from local buyers. About 20% of purchases come from residents from Guayaquil, Machala and other coastal cities while 30% are by Ecuadorian migrants in the US or their families. Rodríguez argued that US immigration policies spurred investments towards Cuenca as an alternative for protecting one’s assets and preparing for a possible return to live in the city. For every 10 transactions, 3 correspond to a migrant or a family member.
According to CAINEC, between 35-40% of housing is acquired for long-term rental or temporary rental on platforms such as Airbnb. The temporary rental trend reduces the supply of long-term rentals, putting pressure to increase rental rates. In spite of the increase in projects, what is on offer still doesn’t meet demand, above all in public housing, due to Cuenca’s rapid growth.
Rodríguez explained that high land costs make development of public housing difficult since land represents more than 25% of the final cost, and needs to stay under 20% for a feasible project. This situation became even more relevant after BIESS launched the Credicasa program of 2.99% which increased demand in the public housing sector. Mortgages are one of the motors of the sector. BIESS increased the the origination of mortgage loans by 22% since the end of 2025. 7 out of 10 people who buy property need credit. Increased participation by the public bank pressured private banks to offer more competitive conditions.
Paúl Cevallos, president of the Asociación de Corredores de Bienes Raíces de Azuay (ACBIR – Real Estate Brokers Association of Azuay) said that currently there a 92 projects between the approval and construction phases in Cuenca, compared with 103 in 2025. However, this does not reflect less activity, but higher density housing (larger projects). Vinicio Bedoya, treasurer of ACBIR, said that mortgage originations increased by about 52%, reflecting better access to financing residential and commercial projects.
Asked about the impact of foreign residents, especially norteamericanos, on the housing market, real estate agent Ronny Chavarría said it is “negligible,” amounting to less than one percent of rentals and sales in Cuenca. The demand is driven by Ecuadorians moving back from the U.S. and Spain. and residents of other Ecuadorian cities, he said.
(De El Mercurio del lunes, 20/7) Cierre de la calle Cuzco desde hoy (Calle Cuzco will be closed starting today) – The “José Carrasco Arteaga” IESS Hospital opened a temporary vehicular access on av. 24 de Mayo to its parking lot before the closure of calle Cuzco, scheduled for el lunes due to the work on the Monay Interchange.
(De El Mercurio del martes, 20/7) Vacunas y vigilancia por sospecha de sarampión (Vaccinations and surveillance for suspected measles cases) – A suspected case of measles in Cuenca activated an epidemiological containment, vaccination brigades, and health surveillance while the Ministerio de Salud Pública (MSP) waits for confirmation of the diagnosis. <Since the last home-grown case of measles in Ecuador was in 1997, there might not be a whole lot of doctors who have actually seen a case.> Miryam Palacios, responsible for immunization strategy in Azuay, said there is worry since there are many children who have not completed their immunizations, which is one of the main ways to avoid measles. The normal vaccine schedule is the first shot at 12 months and the 2nd one month after. The MSP is prioritizing zero-dose to children between 6 months and 1 year who will travel to countries where the virus is circulating: Perú, Colombia, México, the US & Canada. This does not substitute for the regular scheduled doses. Vaccinations are free and available at all MSP locations from 8-17:00.
(De El Mercurio del martes, 20/7) El termómetro en el Cajas ,arcó 0.3 °C (The thermometer in the Cajas read 0.3 °C) – Between the wee hours and morning of lunes, there were low temperatures in Cuenca. A dense cap of fog covered the city while in the high parts of the Parque Nacional Cajas (PNC), there were areas covered in frost. ETAPA reported that the thermometer in the La Toreadora Lake sector registered a minimum of 0.3°C which is typical for the season. Temperatures were well below 0° at higher elevations of the Cajas. It recommended that drivers crossing the park on the vía Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme reduce speed and drive with caution since the fog and wet pavement will affect visibility and safety. <Too many idiots driving fast even when they can’t see where they’re going. If karma is working, they’ll only kill themselves.>
