Alpaca! Charming one-bedroom apartment

See all properties

Apartment

A balconied courtyard and garden are Pumamaqui's serene center.

The kitchen area and dinette of the 'Alpaca' studio, with a view of the garden.

The 'Alpaca' one-bedroom has a desk and study area.

Ample closet space and elegant bathroom.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

1 bathroomSleeps 355.2 sq m

Popular amenities

Washer

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Dryer

Free WiFi

Mountain view

Explore the area

Cuenca, Azuay

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga
2 min walk
Puente Roto
5 min walk
Calderon Park
6 min walk
Cuenca (CUE-Mariscal Lamar)
14 min drive

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

One-bedroom

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

Living area

Exterior

About this property

We have reconstructed a traditional rural adobe home in downtown Cuenca, with all-new amenities. A peaceful garden and cobblestone courtyard comprise the centerpiece of Pumamaqui Accommodations. The studio apartment featured here, which we call 'Alpaca', has its own corridor facing the courtyard. The studio includes a queen-sized bed, two side tables with reading lamps, a desk with book shelves, sofa bed that could accommodate a third guest, ample closet space, reading lamps, a modern bathroom, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Recessed lighting and adobe style make the space both functional and pleasing. Ceilings have exposed beams and floors are artisan brick, made by Cuenca craftsmen.

Three features make Pumamaqui Accommodations extraordinary: A beautifully reconstituted building with all new amenities; the central courtyard that feels like a sanctuary in the bustle of the city; and proximity to all that that the two Cuencas--historic and modern--have to offer.

Rentals include broadband WiFi, satellite cable and flatscreen TV, abundant hot water, hair dryer, complete kitchen (including toaster, microwave, coffee maker, blender, refrigerator, stove, plates, pots and pans, cutlery, wine glasses), linens and towels, free on-site washer and dryer, iron and ironing board, and a round table, chairs and sun umbrella in the interior courtyard. All utilities are included.

Property manager

Juan Chica

Languages

English, French, German, Spanish

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Mountain view

Outdoor space

Similar properties

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Kitchen

Free WiFi

Gym

Parking available

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cuenca

Located in Downtown Cuenca, a neighbourhood in Cuenca, this apartment is in the mountains. San Francisco Plaza Market and Civic Plaza are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore El Cajas National Park and Calderon Park. University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden and Cuenca Botanical Garden are also worth visiting. Explore all the area has to offer with hiking/biking trails, ecotours and cycling.

Cuenca, Azuay

What's nearby

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga - 2 min walk
Calderon Park - 6 min walk
New Cathedral of Cuenca - 9 min walk
Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium - 12 min walk
Mall del Rio - 6 min drive

Getting around

Luis Cordero (Hermano Miguel) Station - 8 min walk
Gaspar Sangurima Tram Station - 12 min walk
Cuenca (CUE-Mariscal Lamar) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

‪Tiestos - ‬3 min walk
‪Goza - ‬2 min walk
‪El Mercado Cuenca - ‬3 min walk
‪Kolo Restaurant And Bakery - ‬3 min walk
‪Café de Nucallacta - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Alpaca! Charming one-bedroom apartment pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Alpaca! Charming one-bedroom apartment?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Alpaca! Charming one-bedroom apartment?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Alpaca! Charming one-bedroom apartment located?

Located in Downtown Cuenca, this apartment building is steps away from Las Conceptas Museum, Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga and Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures. Museum of the Canari Identity and Inter-American Center of Popular Arts are just steps away. Luis Cordero (Hermano Miguel) Station is 8 minutes by foot and Gaspar Sangurima Tram Station is 12 minutes.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

William H.

20 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Treasure

We always enjoy staying at Stuart’s property. It is unassumingly tucked away within easy walking distance of El Centro and the river. You open a plain looking door on the street front to reveal a peaceful courtyard setting. I can’t think of a more perfect spot for a central location from which to explore Cuenca. He and his wife are excellent accommodating hosts. We have visited Ecuador four times over the last ten years and always arrange a stay at Stuart’s. We know we will have a pleasant time there.

Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

3 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great spot in Cuenca

We loved our stay here! Very comfortable and spotless. Communication was excellent and Stewart and Patricia are absolutely lovely people. Walking distance to almost everything (historical district, museums) and many great cafes and restaurants right out the door! A french bakery on one side, a beautiful fair trade store on the other and abundant hummingbirds in the garden. Hard to leave.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Augusto A.

25 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pumamaqui Accommodations

My wife and I stayed here. The location was just as advertised, downtown Cuenca, closed to all the wonderful Museums, restaurants, shopping. The apartment was nicely decorated, kitchen well organized. It is important for us to have a nice bathroom and shower. This place fulfilled our expectations. We will certainly stayed here in the future. We enjoyed meeting Stuart and Patricia, our hosts.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marcia S.

1 Dec 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Alpaca 1 bedroom, with kitchen and living room

We enjoyed our 3 week stay in Cuenca and with our beautiful lodging. Stuart & Patricia were great hosts and were easy to get in touch with. The location is perfect for being able to walk explore the downtown area/center of Cuenca and within walking distance of many so many great restaurants, shops, banks, grocery stores, etc. There is Lucienne's French bakery next door and on the other side is Patricia's store with amazing items made from their alpaca animals and other artisan made artwork and textiles. Also a great Ecuadorian cooking school/ restaurant around the corner. The only thing that I missed were certain art Museums that were closed. But still so much to do in Cuenca.

Stayed 20 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Sherry U.

4 Nov 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

Nice place and good location

Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C., Blairsville, GA and Matlacha, FL

4 Oct 2018

Beautiful courtyard and lovely apartment

Thanks, Stu!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Martin O., Las Cruces New Mexico, USA

18 Apr 2018

Great Place to Stay in Cuenca

The property is warm and welcoming and the hosts are friendly and helpful. Excellent location for seeing and experiencing Cuenca Centro. No need to rent a car, cabs are plentiful and reliable. Would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sharlene P.

19 Dec 2017

It was clean, charming, and the garden relaxing.

Stuart and Patricia were gracious and very accommodating. When we arrived we were greeted with fresh fruit, cheese, and bakery bread. After all day travel it was appreciated. Stuart provided a city map for us, free secure internet, and laundry facilities. All the necessities gringo's like. I highly recommend this a must stay while in Cuenca.

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Miranda S., Dallas, TX

23 June 2017

Charming and Great Location

We loved this property! Not only is the architecture lovely, it was close to lots of great attractions and restaurants. We felt right at home after long, fun days of walking the city and hiking in Cajas National Park. We'd definitely stay here again. Having the enclosed courtyard made it easy to relax during downtimes. The bed and sheets were really comfy, too.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John p., Miami, FL

21 May 2016

Outstanding Rental in the Heart of Cuenca

We spent a most wonderful time in Cuenca at Stuart and Patricia’s Pumamaqui apartment. We arrived from the airport by an easy and inexpensive taxi ride and were immediately welcomed by Patricia who has a gorgeous little alpaca shop right beside the apartments. Within minutes, Stuart appeared and gave us a complete rundown of all we would need to know for a great vacation in Cuenca, including not to be missed sights, restaurants, markets etc. There was a gorgeous bowl of fruit to welcome us including a delicious local fruit called granadilla and Ecuadorian bread. The fridge also had some essentials and yummy fresh cheese. We didn’t need to go anywhere to eat that day but did head right next door for a tasty Columbian supper (Moliendo Café) The apartment complex is beautifully constructed in a traditional Ecuadorian style with balconies overlooking an open courtyard--every morning we woke up to a cornucopia of flowering bushes. The apartment has all the modern conveniences including wifi, flat-screen TV, granite countertops and an excellent bed! The location is perfect for walking to everything you want to see. We had an odd experience where the airport temporarily closed down and we were stranded for three additional days. (This was right after the earthquake and the needed construction equipment was not available). Stuart saved the day and worked with us to move upstairs to one of his other apartments as ours was booked. That too was most comfortable. And then the piece de resistance: we couldn’t find out when the airport was going to open again and Stuart went above and beyond to determine this for us. He picked us up early on the third morning to drive us to the airport to make sure we got on a plane. All was well--we were the second plane out! This was a fantastic place to vacation and we would return in a heartbeat. Thanks very much for a great experience. Hope we see you and your family in Miami.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

2 Oct 2015

Best Kept Secret in Cuenca, Ecuador

THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN CUENCA There is not enough space on this site to express how much we enjoyed this stay at Pumamaqui Accommodations, located on Honorato Vazquez street in Cuenca. The unit is a dream. Having an architectural background, I appreciated all the special details the owner, Stuart White, put into this unit. It was conceived by Stuart and his wife Patricia and put into its elegant form by their architect, Boris Vélez. They did not spare any expense on the additional detailing and the layout in the traditional European/Spanish courtyard concept. You can catch a glimpse of that detailing in a video I have posted on You Tube at https://youtu.be/xxtnQvp1wKM as well as some of the photos the owner will post on his rental sites that further express the charm of this unit. The unit is completely furnished and well accessorized so that nothing is needed except your clothing and personal belongings. When we arrived, there was a vase of fresh flowers, bread, cheese and some fruit. The owner, Mr. White, is very familiar with Cuenca and most of Ecuador. His family is very friendly and loving as is typical of Ecuadorians. I met them all. They are fluent in Spanish and English and my wife and I feel like we have made friends for life in the White family. This unit is an ideal honeymoon haven. It has the openness with full view of the beautifully landscaped courtyard and yet can be visually private with room dividers and curtains. The location is one block from a very well known street, Calle Larga. There is much to see within walking distance from this unit. You can’t go one block without running into a restaurant of some sort. Taxi fares run about $2.50 to $3.50 to most anywhere. Bus fares once you learn the routes, 25 cents. The uniqueness of this unit, the beautiful Ecuadorian people, the warm and friendly owners, the country itself made for one of the best vacations my wife and I have ever had. Truly, I can’t say enough about this vacation, starting with the unit we rented.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

1 Oct 2015

Loved, loved, loved this unit.

THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN CUENCA There is not enough space on this site to express how much we enjoyed this stay at Pumamaqui Accommodations, located on Honorato Vazquez Street in Cuenca. The unit is a dream. Having an architectural background, I appreciated all the special details the owner, Stuart White, put into this unit. It was conceived by Stuart and his wife Patricia and put into its elegant form by their architect, Boris Vélez. They did not spare any expense on the additional detailing and the layout in the traditional European/Spanish courtyard concept. You can catch a glimpse of that detailing in a video I have posted on You Tube at https://youtu.be/xxtnQvp1wKM as well as some of the photos Stuart will post on his rental sites that further express the charm of this unit. The unit is completely furnished and well accessorized so that nothing is needed except your clothing and personal belongings. When we arrived, there was a vase of fresh flowers, bread, cheese and some fruit. The owner, Mr. White, is very familiar with Cuenca and most of Ecuador. His family is very friendly and loving as is typical of Ecuadorians. I met them all. They are fluent in Spanish and English and my wife and I feel like we have made friends for life in the White family. This unit is an ideal honeymoon haven. It has the openness with full view of the beautifully landscaped courtyard and yet can be visually private with room dividers and curtains. The location is one block from a very well known street, Calle Larga. There is much to see within walking distance from this unit. You can’t go one block without running into a restaurant of some sort. Taxi fares run about $2.50 to $3.50 to most anywhere. The uniqueness of this unit, the beautiful Ecuadorian people, the warm and friendly owners, the country itself made for one of the best vacations my wife and I have ever had. Truly, I can’t say enough about this vacation, starting with the unit we rented. Sam Madrid

Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2015

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lan C.

24 July 2015

A very good deal with many nice touches

The location is very good -- about 3 to 4 blocks from the main Calderon park and all the main tourist areas. But the neighborhood itself is also sweet and charming -- close to the escalanitas leading to the river. Cuenca is a beautiful little town. Apartment is a very good deal -- He added nice touches -- a vase of fresh flowers, a nice loaf of bread from the bakery in the same complex, cheese, fresh fruits. HE took us to a supermarket to load up on food. We bought some staples and left them at the apartment for the next guests (extra toilet paper, olive oil, etc.) which we like to do. One downside is that the internet was often down and because the modem is not in our own apartment (but in some other apartment in the complex) all we could do was wait for someone who reboot it. The upside is when that happened we went out to a nearby coffeehouse and did our internet there, which was nice too (but not nice when it happens later at night).

About the host

Hosted by Juan Chica

My wife Patricia and I are dedicated to wild habitat conservation, in two ways: Since 2000 we support a dynamic local NGO, Fundacion Cordillera Tropical ( that does environmental research, environmental education, and biodiversity conservation in the Nudo del Azuay region of Ecuador's Cordillera Real; and we own and protect a large conservation area, the Mazar Wildlife Reserve, in Cañar Province, Ecuador. We have three young children who share these enthusiasms. On the reserve's pastures at lower elevation we maintain a herd of 500 alpacas. We recently restored a patrimonial building with four studio apartments in Cuenca's historic district that we hope will generate fond memories for our visitors from all quarters of the world.

Why they chose this property

Cuenca's downtown is vibrant, and part of its energy comes from its architecture of old. We found a house-in-ruin in 2006 and decided to give the building a new lease on life. Once we got started, Pumamaqui took six years to complete--from the initial municipal permits, to a final design based on traditional rural Cuenca homes, and of course the construction itself. We finally finished Pumamaqui in August of 2013. The result since then has given our guests plenty of peace, they say, a sense of place, and fond memories of Cuenca.

What makes this property unique

Many guests have enjoyed staying with us, and one point they very often make is this: "The location is perfect!" Indeed, we are within walking distance of most of the distinguished restaurants, cafés, museums, city parks and river walks, venues for theater and musical presentations, and shopping.