Cuenca’s culture has been shaped by years of Catholic influence. It has charming, colonial-style churches, but that doesn't mean this city is stuck in the past and nowhere is this more clear than at the beautiful Museum of Modern Art. For a look at what Cuenca looked like before the Spanish arrived, visit the Museum of Indigenous Cultures. To explore the profound spirituality of Cuenca, visit churches like the Church of El Carmen Asunción and Iglesia San Sebastian. These are some of the oldest and most famous churches in the area.

Otavalo is one of the biggest commercial hubs in the Ecuadorian highlands. Many of the vendors here come from more remote villages in the Andes, and they proudly wear the traditional garb of Andean peoples. You can come here to shop, but also to meet the locals and learn about their culture in-depth. Some of the Otavalo market is devoted to trinkets and souvenirs, as well as genuine Andean textiles, woven on looms and made colorful with natural dyes. Sweaters and tapestries are popular purchases here, as are necklaces made from gold beads or polished palm nuts. This is also the place to go to try authentic Ecuadorian food — in addition to lots of produce, you'll also find stalls piled high with freshly baked treats.

Alausí is a bit off the beaten path, tucked into a little-visited corner of the Southern Sierras. You'll find it at the end of a train voyage up a side of a mountain called the “Nariz del Diablo” (Devil’s Nose). It takes a winding (some would say thrilling, others might call it hair-raising) route, but the scenery makes it worth it. When you get here, you'll get to meet Quechuas — a native people that have lived in the Andes since long before the Inca made their mark on the landscape. You can book cozy accommodations here that are a short distance from the Nariz del Diablo train station. The town itself makes a charming and distinctive backdrop for some small-town exploration — the houses are painted with bright colors and the streets are lined with cobblestone. Visitors here should make sure to come in time for the Sunday Market, which is another opportunity for getting to know the people who live here, and admiring their handicrafts and artwork.