Ever since the earliest Spanish settlements started inhabiting Cuenca in 16th Century, the city has been dancing to Spanish tunes for centuries. Touted to be one of the most European cities in the Americas, Cuenca is perched 2,560 meters (8,400 feet) above sea level. Dotted with colonial buildings from 16th and 17th Century in the city center, it doesn't come as a surprise that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The blue domes of Cathedral Nueva have become a veritable symbol of the city's Renaissance Revival and Neo Gothic architecture. Straddling the River Tomebamba and River Yanuncay, several hikers have found their trailing havens in the national park of El Cajas and Jima, located in the Southern Ecuador at the foothills of mountains. The mood for discovery comes alive as young tourists and locals alike get out on the roads for nighttime bike rides to explore the city. A quintessential Ecuadorian city that has preserved its heritage, Cuenca's lively yet laid-back vibe is contagious.
