First 48 Hours in Cuenca
Your first 48 hours should accomplish five core tasks: get connected (SIM card), access cash, confirm your accommodation internet works, source food, and identify your Day 3 work location. Everything else can wait.
This section is based on research and advance preparation. During the Cuenca Pioneers program, we'll verify everything on the ground and add our own first-hand experiences.
What You Need to Know
Cuenca's infrastructure has specific friction points: ATMs can run dry on weekends, grocery stores have reduced hours on Sundays, and landlords communicate almost exclusively via WhatsApp voice messages in Spanish. Install WhatsApp before arrival and save your landlord's number immediately.
How It Works
Most remote workers arrive at Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE), 5–10 minutes from the city center. Immigration and bag claim typically take 20–30 minutes. Airport taxi stands charge a fixed $4–$6 to the city center. Uber operates from the airport for $3–$5.
On arrival at your accommodation, run a Speedtest immediately. You need at least 20 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up for reliable remote work. If the connection falls short, report it to your landlord the same day.
Quick Reference
Practical Options
Supermaxi El Vergel
Best-stocked supermarket. Cards and cash accepted. Open daily ~8 AM–10 PM.
Farmacia Fybeca
Major pharmacy chain. Open late. 24-hour locations available.
Banco Pichincha ATMs
Most reliable network for foreign cards. Multiple locations.
Claro Store
Buy a SIM card on Day 1. Bring your passport.
Typical Costs
Setup Steps
Download Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps (offline Cuenca map), and Google Translate (offline Spanish) before departure.
Arrive with $100–$150 USD cash minimum.
Taxi or Uber to accommodation. Confirm address in writing before landing.
Run Speedtest immediately on arrival. Minimum: 20 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up.
Buy a Claro SIM on Day 1 — go to the Claro store near Parque Calderón.
First grocery run at Supermaxi: water, breakfast items, coffee, household basics.
Save landlord and key contacts on WhatsApp.
Identify your Day 3 work location — coworking or café.
Common Mistakes
Not testing the internet immediately. Finding a bad connection on your first work call costs a full workday.
Arriving on a Sunday with no cash — ATMs can be empty or card-reading systems down on weekends.
Relying on food delivery apps on Day 1. Account setup takes time. Eat at a nearby restaurant first.
Trying to handle everything on Day 1. SIM, coworking, banking, and neighborhood orientation can spread across Days 1–4.
Assuming tap water is drinkable. It is treated, but most locals and expats drink bottled or filtered water.
The 48-hour setup process in Cuenca is smooth compared to most South American cities. The main failure points are internet quality (varies by apartment) and ATM availability on weekends. Uber and InDriver are consistently available in residential zones.