Cuenca's Colonial Old Town & Panama Hat Factory

Tour/Activity in Cuenca, Ecuador

About this activity

Explore Cuenca's colonial old town and learn how the Panama Hat is woven.

Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO

Cuenca's Colonial Old Town

Galapagos PRO recommendation: This tour should not be missing in your Ecuador experience. You can go on your own or book a guided tour with us.

Cuenca is a European-influenced, modern city - the most architecturally beautiful city of Ecuador. The tour begins at the Parque Abdon Calderon, where the old and new cathedral are located. Not to be missed are the many museums, the colonial houses and alleyways. Enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the charming small Coffee places and get involved with the friendly people of Cuenca.

Panama Hat Factory

At the end of the day you will visit a Panama hat factory where you will be shown the manufacturing process of the "sombreros". The hats are made from the toquilla palm that grows in the fertile coastal areas of the country, especially in Manabí province. Since no machines can braid the material, a real Panama Hat is laboriously woven by hand. Decisive for the price is the quality of the hat: the finer it is braided, the more expensive it is. The prices for a cheap hat start at around $ 50 but the highest quality hats can cost up to $ 600!

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