Cuenca & the Southern Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 230

trance fee. The visitor's center at El Cajas has a simple lodge that can
accommodate up to 20 people, as well as provide information on
where to campwithin the park. On the edge of Podocarpus, the nature
reserve Las Palmas , 7-637-186, offers camping.

A limited amount of camping gear is sold in Cuenca at LRM ,at
Torres 7-98 and Sucre. You can rent equipment at Acción Sports ,at
Bolívar 12-70,

7-833-526.

Where to Eat

Cuenca
Real Mexican food can be sampled at El Pedregal
Azteca , at Grán Colombia 10-33 and Padre Aguirre, 7-

823-652. Enjoy the ambiance and live music on weekends.
The food is not bad either, though it is slightly overpriced.

One of my favorite places to eat, for value and atmosphere is
Raymipampa , on Benigno Malo 8-59, on a corner of Plaza Calderón,

7-834-159. Among other typical Ecuadorian dishes, they have one
of the best locro de papas (thick potato soup, with chunks of salty
cheese and avocado) in the country. They also serve good ceviches,
tasty chicken dishes and a chocolate milkshake that takes first prize.
They have two other locations in town, one on Sucre 9-13 and Benigno
Malo, and the other on Remigio Crespo 1-20 and Av. del Estadio.

El Jardín , at Córdova 7-23 and Borrero, 7-831-120, is one of the

more reputable restaurants in town not associated with a hotel. With
mood lighting, fine dining, and friendly service, this is the perfect
place for entertaining out-of-town guests. El Jardín falls in the mid-
price range, although it is expensive by local standards.

The Villa Rosa Restaurante , in a converted colonial home at Calle
Grán Colombia 12-22 and Tarquí, is reputed to be as good as, if not
better than, El Jardín. Price, quality and atmosphere are comparable
to El Jardín and are a bit more on the fine dining side than other res-
taurants mentioned below.

Opposite El Jardín is La Cantina , popular as a restaurant andmeet-
ing place and a great place to enjoy a drink. Music on weekends and a
nice setting make it an ideal gathering place. The food is pretty good,
but drinks are expensive.