In Cuenca we’re happy to offer an authentic Ecuadorian homestay. If this does not serve your needs, we would be happy to assist you in making a reservations at your hostel or hotel of choice in Cuenca.

Homestay in Cuenca

The great majority of students choose to live with a family because it’s a very enriching experience. A homestay gives you the chance to practice your Spanish and learn local expressions while getting to know more about our rich Ecuadorian culture.

Accommodation includes:

• An excellent atmosphere that makes you feel welcome from the very first minute
• Two or three meals per day with the family
• Dedicated room*
• Laundry once per week
• Filtered, bottled, or boiled water always available
• Extra blankets if desired
• Linen and towel change once per week
• All homes have Internet access and/or WiFi

*Private bedroom and bathroom upon request (depends on availability)

We offer a range of different activities for each day, so you can combine them with your Spanish program. All cultural activities are optional. 

Weekday Cultural Activities in Cuenca

You are invited to join us for as cultural events, parties, special topic lessons, among many others. Or take part in our visits to different places in Cuenca to increase your cultural enrichment.

• Ecuador festival tours: People in Cuenca celebrate their parties with overflowing enthusiasm, each participant dress the best clothes and the whole town gets organized in advance to have everything -including drinks and food for everybody.
• Walking In Cuenca: A trip to Ecuador should include what is known as the “Athens of Ecuador”. Discover our city with your teacher; as part of your lessons you visit our cobbled streets, architectural and natural wonders, friendly people, and every building you see is very interesting and rich in history.
• Salsa Lessons: The music and the dance, particularly salsa and merengue, are the essence of the Ecuadorian culture; learning the language demands the learning of the culture in which it develops. Students often end up at one of the local “Salsotecas” to practice more dancing after the classes.
• Classes on Folkloric Instruments: Ecuadorian music is always present in the various events arising in the area. This includes many types of traditional and popular music that have evolved throughout history in what is now Ecuador.
• Cooking Lessons: Learn with us how to cook the typical food of Cuenca, Ecuador. With natural ingredients and traditional techniques, it is the ideal activity for children, youth and adults.
• Cocktail Lessons: Learn to prepare, step by step, the most popular and typical drinks of Cuenca, Ecuador. In this class, you’ll get to know the ingredients for each cocktail, history, and experience a new sensation for the palate and the spirit. Make drinks from “punta” our sugar cane spirit, taste a “Canelazo” made with cinnamon, and dare to try “Chicha” a thick drink made with fermented corn.
• Traditional Clothing Lessons: Ecuador’s prominent indigenous population has a beautiful traditional dress. Specific dress varies from region to region, although there are similarities across the country. The Chola Cuencana is part of the identity of Cuenca being the icon of the city. This character has been part of its history, and her wardrobe has become one of the most attractive and expensive clothes.
• Fruit Tasting: The tropical weather Ecuador makes it an exceptionally fertile land. Between coastal and mountain weather, many types of excellent quality fruit are available and can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Weekend Trips from Cuenca

Every weekend we offer trips out of Cuenca, either one or two days. Going on our weekend trips is a great way of getting to know other students and also more about our beautiful country! Here are some examples of weekend trips:

• Gualaceo – Chordeleg: Gualaceo is known for its market, and its proximity to the beautiful touristic Río Gualaceo. The Sunday food and animal market is not geared towards tourists (there are very few crafts for sale) but is colorful and fun to visit.
• Ingapirca Inca Ruins: The Incan ruins of Ingapirca are considered Ecuador’s most important archaeological site. There can still be found many of the massive fortifications and temples of the Incas, which boast some of their finest mortarless stonework. A tour to Ingapirca will make you live a fascinating time that you shouldn’t miss while visiting Cuenca. On Fridays, there is an interesting Inca market too.
• El Tambo – Coyoctor: These Inca ruins at Coyoctor is a massive rock outcrop, carved to form baths, showers and water channels believed to have been used in purification rituals before ceremonies of magic-religious significance.
• And more!: We also sometimes visit the National Park of El Cajas, where we walk around some of the lakes in the area. We also arrange mountain biking, trout fishing in Andean lakes, visit local “fiestas”, visit the city of Guayaquil, or go to the Jungle.

Simon Bolivar School in Cuenca is conveniently located in the center (el Centro) of Cuenca, with cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops nearby. Cuenca’s historic section, Cathedral, and UNESCO world heritage site is all within walking distance.

The school is a comfortable and cozy house with several individual classrooms. The building has an outdoor patio for students to relax, read, drink a cup of coffee or surf the web. The kitchen has free coffee brewing all day, and there are snacks and refreshments available.

Please come and join us.