Staying with Yolanda Colmenares has been the best part of my two weeks in Cuenca. She is an amazing host -- incredibly warm and sociable, a fantastic cook, and her house is impeccably clean and neat. She hosts people from all over, so I've not only gotten to experience Ecuador, but also have practiced my Spanish and become friends with folks from Venezuela, Colombia, and Uruguay in my time at her house. Yolanda's son Carlos is also fun and teaches salsa lessons in the evenings, if you have time.
Over the past two weeks, Yolanda has cooked me delicious and healthy vegetarian meals, washed my laundry, introduced me to wonderful people, taken me with her on the bus to places I would not have found on my own, and suggested excellent ideas for how to pass my free time when not in Spanish classes. She is one of the most positive, friendly people I've had the privilege of encountering anywhere in the world, and I highly recommend staying with her.
Yolanda's house is in a gated community in a safe, calm neighborhood, located a pleasant 20 minute walk or short bus/cab ride to the city center. You can easily find anything you might need within a 5-minute walk from her house, including gyms, parks, rivers, food, and tiendas. If I return to Cuenca (and I hope to, soon!) I will 100% stay with Yolanda again.
All bookings are direct with the owner 