Cuenca Street Food Tour: Taste Traditional Dishes

Taste sanduche de pernil and empanadas while walking past churches and river views most visitors skip

A small-group walking tour of Cuenca that combines street food tastings with stops at the city's churches, markets and historical sites. The guide leads you through neighborhoods like La Cruz del Vado and the Mercado 10 de Agosto, where you sample traditional Ecuadorian dishes and learn about local architecture and produce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and groups stay under 15 people.

The experience

After pickup from your hotel, you walk through Cuenca's layout with a guide who explains the city's history and architecture as you move between stops. The route takes in the Catedral de la Immaculada Concepción and La Iglesia del Carmen, the Municipal Museum of Modern Art, and the ruins of Todos Los Santos. Along the way you pass the Broken Bridge and the La Cruz del Vado neighborhood, where the Tomebamba River runs through the city and architectural styles shift as you move.

The food happens in real time as you walk. You taste sanduche de pernil, tamales, and empanadas at different points, plus traditional beverages like morocho and coconut juice. The Mercado 10 de Agosto is where you see local produce and handicrafts (traditional clothing on sale, the everyday goods that supply the city) before the guide walks you back to your hotel. The whole tour runs about three hours.

You choose between a private tour or a group tour when you book. Groups cap at 15 people. The guide speaks English or Spanish depending on the departure. Food and drinks beyond what's included are available for purchase along the route.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• snacks at multiple stops.
• one traditional local drink.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group tourGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00 and 17:00A pleasant way to sample the local snacks together, and you might make some new friends along the way.

Private tourGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00 and 17:00A great choice if you want the experience to be just for you. On this tour you can decide certain details, such as the pickup time and which snacks you'd like to try.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 17:00

AgesAdult (20 to 80 years) · Youth (7 to 19 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Polylepis Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour if you want to meet other travelers and split the cost, or book private if you prefer a guide focused only on your group and the flexibility to linger at stops that interest you most. The three-hour walking pace works best if you're comfortable on your feet and want to navigate the city's neighborhoods rather than ride between sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 19 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Sanduche de pernil and where do I taste it on this tour?

Sanduche de pernil is a traditional Ecuadorian sandwich made with pork, and it's one of the street foods you sample at different stops as you walk through Cuenca's neighborhoods. The guide takes you to local spots where these dishes are sold and prepared.

Do I need to be very fit to walk this tour?

The tour involves walking through the city for about three hours, so a moderate level of physical fitness helps. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but the pace is set by a small group moving through neighborhoods and markets at a walking speed.

What happens at the Mercado 10 de Agosto?

The Mercado 10 de Agosto is where you walk through the market itself, learning about the local produce and handicrafts on sale, including traditional clothing, before the tour returns you to your hotel. It's a working market, so you see what supplies the city.

Does the tour include all the food and drinks I'll taste?

The tour includes snacks and one local drink. Additional food and drinks are available for purchase as you walk, so you can buy more if you want to try other items at the markets and street stalls you pass.