Ecuador: Cuenca

Score: 68

"Full of baroque sights, very nice surroundings, but rather 'ordinary' colonial city, with no special atmosphere. Spa tradition, hot springs, volcanic hinterland, favorable location close to Peru border."

"Cuenca is an interesting mix of old and new. Aesthetically beautiful, but with all the problems of a growing Latin American city."

"A nice colonial city, but still full of traffic, noise, pollution, etc. Tourism development is appropriate."

"Local inns in remodeled grand old homes were lovely—among the most beautiful I have seen in that part of Latin America, and in keeping with local aesthetic styles."

"Architecture and setting are big assets, but seems poorly managed as a tourist destination, if managed at all. Local guides can be a breath of fresh air, as not as jaded or expensive as those in Cusco, Quito, etc. Traffic is horrendous—typical of many smaller heritage site-cities in Latin America."