Gualaceo is a town near a nice river. It is located in the Azuay province, about one hour from Cuenca, Ecuador. Gualaceo retains its colonial architectural elements. Indeed, it has a beautiful historic district. Nearby there are markets, parks, squares, riverbanks, and even an ancient aqueduct. Gualaceo has great handicrafts. In fact, visiting La Casa de la Makana is a tourist attraction. Here, tourists can see a traditional weaving demonstration. Another attraction is the Santa Barbara River. There is a nice spot to take pictures, with the river as background, near the "Casino". The last place features a nice outdoor area with some indoor pools.
Gualaceo has great shoe production. In fact, more than half of its population works in the manufacture and sale of footwear. Also, it produces more than 300 different orchids. These plants distinguished by the complexity and beauty of their flowers. For this reason, the Gualaceo nickname is "The Garden of Azuay" — "El Jardin Del Azuay" in Spanish.
From Cuenca, take a bus to the terminal terrestre (bus station). Tickets cost around $2 one way. The ride takes around an hour, this is 22 mi./37 km. The climate in Gualaceo is temperate. The average temperature fluctuates between 59°F to 68°F (15°C to 20°C).
