How Safe Is It?

I'm looking to going to Cuenca some time this year with my wife. When is the best time to go? Do they have a rainy season? We would like to stay for a month but do not want to pay a lot. We want to find a furnished apartment in a safe area for about 500 or less to stay.

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Right now (February) is part of the rainy season. It's also supposed to be the warm and sunny season. Unfortunately, this year just about all we're getting is rain.

June to October is the dry (drier) season. I say drier because last year it rain for much of the dry season. The rest was cloudy and cold.

As for finding a furnished apartment for $500, that should be possible, as long as you're not looking for anything really spectacular.

But start doing your research and establishing connections in the rental market now. It could literally take the entire month you're here to find a furnished place for $500.

Jeff

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I had it pointed out to me by an observant reader that I never answered the main question about safety. Thanks for the keen eye.

Cuenca is fairly safe, although every once in a while there's a report of something unusual. Here, a murder is very unusual. The other day there was an express kidnapping (a term used for when people get into a cab and they drive you far away to get money from your family). Kidnappings are even more unusual.

Yes, there's petty crime and robberies, but injuries incurred during robberies are very uncommon.

If you're not stupid about things (like walking by the rivers in the middle of the night), then you'll be safe. Many expats have had no problems here (including us).