If you’ve been craving a slow-living city with fast Wi-Fi, artisan coffee and a warm community of remote workers and creatives, then Cuenca, might just be your new favourite co-working haven.
Whilst not the busy metropolis that is Quito, I’ll walk you through five of the best co-working spaces I found whilst in Cuenca. Whether you’re here for a week or thinking about making Cuenca your long-term base, these spots offer a winning combo of productivity and value for money.
And this is written from real first-hand experiences of a digital nomad, I’ve tried these all before recommending them to you.
📍 View my favourite digital nomad spots in Cuenca on Google Maps
🕵 Read my digital nomad trip report on Cuenca, here
🚀 Need a dose of wanderlust? View my Postcards from Cuenca, here
What Are The Best Co-Working Spaces in Cuenca?
Impaqto Cuenca
Impaqto is my personal favourite and is a start-up incubator & co-working chain in Ecuador. In addition to their offering in Cuenca, right next to the river, they also have offices in Quito, Guayaquil, Cumbaya and partner sites in Ibarra, Ambato and Loja. It’s a little on the pricey side (for LATAM) and there were one of two moments where the internet lagged but for the two weeks I used the offices it was great.
Most of the time download speeds were around 30mbps, but a couple of times it dipped to 2-3mbps, but it was rare. Pricing-wise it works on selling blocks of hours (not sure how it’s enforced): 40hrs is $127, 80 is $157 and unlimited is $197 a month. So, if you averaged about 30 hours a week, the unlimited option is less than $2/hr and pretty good value, but for casual use it can be a bit pricey. Oh and you can bring your dog, +10 points from me!
La Ofi
A close second is La Ofi, which is more centrally located in El Centro and has the added bonus of a photographic studio which you can use as part of your membership.
Pricing model is the same as IMPAQTO but they do offer a day-pass for $10. Their unlimited package is a pinch more expensive but the hourly rates are a lot better, making this a better choice for casual users. 40 hrs is $80, 80 hours is $120 and unlimited is $200 a month.
Casa Rivera UCuenca
If you’re on a tight budget then this is perfect. Casa Rivera is one of the buildings that belongs to Cuenca University and it offers a free space for co-working. I feel that it’s probably targeted to locals, but just turn up, walk in and register (there’s a QR code that directs you to a Google Form). I didn’t stick around, the furniture is a bit tired and the noise from the river is a bit much, it’s all open plan. But, if you’re on a budget, then this is perfect.
Zona 256
Zona 256 is in the popular El Vergel neighbourhood, which is the modern part of Cuenca. What’s special about Zona 256 is that you can have 24-hour access unlike the aforementioned three and they even include basic IT support. Pricing is $190/month. Oh, and they’re pet-friendly too.
Conclusion
Cuenca’s co-working scene might be smaller than that of bigger nomad hubs, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in charm, character and value. Whether you’re after a professional set-up like Impaqto, a more laid-back creative space like La Ofi, or just want to café-hop your way through the city, there’s a corner in Cuenca calling your name.
Try a few out before committing to a longer pass, and don’t be afraid to mix up your routine, that’s the whole point of this lifestyle.
Got a favourite co-working space in Cuenca that I missed? Let me know, I’m always on the hunt for the next great spot.
