Cuenca Quick-Start Guide: How to Support Local Cuencano Businesses and Communities

This Cuenca quick-start guide is for expats who want to support the Cuencano community but aren’t sure where to begin. Whether you’ve recently arrived in Cuenca or have lived here for years, there are meaningful ways to get involved, build cross-cultural friendships, and strengthen the local economy. Even small gestures can create real impact. This guide offers ideas to help you connect, contribute, and collaborate with the Cuencano community in respectful and practical ways.

1. Start with a Local Business You Admire

– Become a regular customer
– Strike up conversations with owners or staff
– Ask if they need help with online visibility (Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Facebook)
– Offer to help create or translate menus, flyers, or social media posts

2. Use Helpful Translation Tools

– DeepL (deepl.com): High-quality translation, especially for Spanish-English
– Google Translate: Quick and easy, works for voice and camera translation
– Pair translations with review from a Spanish speaker if possible

3. Volunteer or Partner with Local Nonprofits

– Fundación El Arenal: Supports market families and micro-entrepreneurs
– Azuay Community Assistance (ACA): Food aid and elder support
– Hearts of Gold Foundation: Capacity-building for local nonprofits

4. Offer Time or Skills You Already Have

– Help a vendor understand tourist expectations
– Translate a menu or build a basic website
– Support with tech setup or social media planning
– Recommend local businesses to other expats and tourists

5. Be Respectful, Curious, and Consistent

– Listen before offering advice
– Ask questions about needs before assuming solutions
– Show up regularly—it builds trust over time

Enjoy your Cuenca quick-start guide

Small contributions can make a big difference. By showing up consistently, being curious and open, and offering the skills or time you already have, you can become part of a more inclusive Cuenca. Relationships built on trust and mutual support are what make this city so special. Thank you for being part of the positive change and for helping to build lasting bridges between cultures.