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No more connecting through Quito or Guayaquil. LATAM Airlines launches direct flights from Cuenca's Mariscal Lamar Airport to the Galápagos Islands starting March 31, flying Tuesdays and Saturdays. The airport just invested $200K in preparations.

Cuenca's latest public art installation features 30 oversized, elaborately decorated guinea pig sculptures scattered through Parque del Ferrocarril. Each one tells a different story about the city's culture and identity. It's free, it's fun, and it's very Cuenca.

The Alejandro Serrano Aguilar stadium cleared its CONMEBOL inspection with only minor tweaks needed. That means Copa Sudamericana matches are officially coming to Cuenca — and the city is about to get loud.

Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre processed over 58,000 departures and 36,500 arrivals during the four-day Carnival weekend. The numbers tell the story of a city that empties out — and fills back up — in dramatic fashion.

If Cuenca felt unusually packed this weekend, you weren't imagining it. Hotels hit 90% occupancy, 1.3 million Ecuadorians hit the road, and the government estimates the four-day feriado will generate up to $100 million in tourism spending. Here's what the Carnival boom actually looked like.

Remember when we told you they were going to try? They did it. On Valentine's Day, 30 chefs prepared 1,723 kilograms of mote pata at Plaza San Francisco, earning Cuenca an official Guinness World Record and feeding 9,500 people for free.

On Valentine's Day, Plaza de San Francisco will host the world's largest motepata — a traditional Cuencan corn-and-pork stew — with Guinness officials on hand to certify the record. Plates are just $2.

Carnival week kicks off Thursday with Jueves de Compadres, followed by a Color Fest 5K, the Four Rivers parade, free mote pata for 9,000 people, and Nicky Jam at the stadium. Tickets are $5-$35 at Farmasol.

The headline concert of Carnival 2026 features Nicky Jam and Trebol Clan on February 14 at Estadio Serrano Aguilar. Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to purchasing and conserving paramo in Cajas National Park.