Cuenca Guide

Most treatments are available in Cuenca, but for highly specialized care, you may need to head to Guayaquil or Quito.

Hospitals

Private Hospitals

Cuenca has several prominent private hospitals, including Hospital Universitario del Río, Hospital Monte Sinai, and Hospital Santa Inés. These hospitals are modern, and many of their doctors have studied and worked abroad.

Public Hospital

Cuenca also has Hospital Regional Vicente Corral Moscoso, the city's public hospital. Most treatments here are free, but the facilities are quite basic. There are often long waiting times, and sometimes doctors don’t keep their appointments.

Cuenca’s municipality also operates a small but modern public hospital. Two new municipal hospitals are under construction in Baños and in El Valle. To attend the municipal hospital you can contact the Expat Services Center

IESS Hospital

If you're a member of Ecuador's social security system (IESS), you can visit Hospital José Carrasco Artega (IESS). You can make appointments online through the IESS website.

The well-known SOLCA Cancer Institute Cuenca specializes in cancer treatment. It's possible to attend this hospital. This is a private hospital but it is possible to visit this hospital with a referral from an IESS doctor or a doctor from a public hospital.

Pharmacies

Cuenca has plenty of pharmacies that carry most common medications. The pharmacies at Hospital Universitario del Río and Hospital Monte Sinai have the largest selection, but their prices tend to be about 10-15% higher than others. If you're looking for cheaper options, Farmasol pharmacies, owned by the municipality of Cuenca, offer lower prices.

Most pharmacies close by 8 or 9 PM, but if you need medication late at night, you can visit Farmacia Bravo or the pharmacy at Hospital Santa Inés, both of which are open 24/7.