A Reader Asks: We’re coming to Cuenca to check it out in January and we’re wondering if it is possible to find a cheap rental for 3 weeks for both of us.
Frank and Angie's Response: The million dollar question asked by hundreds of people. The short answer to your question is there are no “cheap” rentals in Cuenca, and especially for less than 6-months. Less than 3 month short term rentals will be more costly. Understand that you are coming to a popular tourist destination where hundreds of gringos visit each month and prices reflect that.
Minimum stays in furnished apartments is usually 6-months, however a few landlords are willing to rent for a minimum of 3 months. Anything less than that is going to be other options. Let’s take a look at some of those options.
Note: If you have a pet, if the landlord allows small pets in the home the renter will have to pay a pet deposit, in case something gets ruined by pet.
Short Term Rentals
If you’re only visiting for several weeks to a few months you can check out these websites for short term rentals. And remember to negotiate according to your personal circumstances. The asking price is usually not the set price.
Craigslist – This is accommodations that charge per day and weekly rates for apartments and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Airbnb - You can find plenty of short term stays on Airbnb, however be careful and make sure that you know what you are getting...there has been some complaints.
OLX - This is the daily - weekly - monthly ads for short term stays in Cuenca Ecuador
Hostels in Cuenca Ecuador
Cuenca Ecuador has some nice comfortable hostels and if you are only one or two people then staying in a hostel is probably your best bet for the budget minded traveler(s). Hostels are less expensive than hotels and will usually have a shared kitchen and common area for guests to use. Kitchens are supplied with utensils, pots and pans and cooking appliances. The only thing you will need is your own dish detergent for doing your own dishes.
We list several hostels, according to different budgets in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide. Below are videos of a couple of these hostels.
La Casa Cuencana Hostel – Martha, the owner of this hostel offers the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide readers a discount if staying for a full week. Please show her you bought the book with a printout of the page of her Hostel or the book itself.
Note: We list rates for several hostels in the DIY guide; however rates are higher during holidays and festivals. The whole month of February Carnaval is celebrated throughout the country of Ecuador.
Hostal Macondo - Here is a video tour of this hostel.
Cuenca Ecuador Short-Term Rentals – Rooms for rent and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Another great option, if you are only one or two people, is staying with an Ecuadorian family. There’s two ways this is done. The Ecuadorian family will rent out a room in their house and you use the shared kitchen; the room may or may not have a private bath. You will find these listed as a "habitacion".
The other way we’ve seen it done is with the bigger Ecuadorian homes where they make a separate apartment attached to their home; These "mini departamentos" will usually have a one bedroom with a private bath, kitchen and its own entrance. Renting this way can also be more economical than staying in a hotel, plus you will have the added benefit of interacting with Ecuadorians on a more personal level and learn some Spanish!
Until we write again…
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We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Welcome to Gringo Good Samaritans, integrated with our 8 years of living in Cuenca Ecuador and traveling the world. We create informative videos and articles helping people come to awareness of what's happening in our world so they can enjoy their retire early lifestyle with their families, healthy, happy and free!
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