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Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Site

Explore Ecuador's heritage at Pumapungo Museum: Incan ruins, ethnographic exhibits, botanical gardens, and more in the heart of Cuenca.

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The Pumapungo Museum in Cuenca, Ecuador, offers a captivating journey through Ecuador's cultural heritage. Explore ethnographic exhibits, Incan ruins, an ethnobotanical garden, and a bird rescue center, all on the site of the former Incan city of Tomebamba.

A brief summary to Pumapungo Museum

Local tips

  • Allow 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum and its grounds.
  • Visit on a day other than Monday, as the museum is closed.
  • The majority of plaques describing the indoor displays are in Spanish.
  • Admission is free.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    Pumapungo Museum is located on Calle Larga 182 in the San Blas neighborhood, a short walk from Cuenca's historic center. From Parque Calderón, walk east along Calle Simón Bolívar, then turn right onto Calle Huayna Cápac. Continue for two blocks, then turn left onto Calle Larga. The museum will be on your right. No costs are associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    Cuenca's Tranvía (light rail) provides easy access to the museum. Take the Tranvía to the Pumapungo stop. From there, the museum is a short walk away. A single ride ticket costs $1, or you can purchase a Tranvía card for discounted fares. The bus system also has routes that pass near the museum; a ride on the bus costs $0.30, but requires a 'Movilizate' card.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Cuenca. You can hail one from the street or use the AzuTaxi app. A taxi ride from the city center to Pumapungo Museum will typically cost between $1.50 and $3. Be sure the driver uses the meter.

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Discover more about Pumapungo Museum

The Pumapungo Museum, established in 1979, is a cornerstone of Cuenca's cultural landscape. Its name, meaning 'Puma Bridge' in Quechua, reflects the area's rich historical significance as part of the Incan empire. The museum stands on the site of Tomebamba, an important Incan administrative center. The museum complex comprises several attractions. Inside the museum, you'll find ethnographic collections showcasing traditional costumes, objects representing beliefs and rites, and a room dedicated to 18th-century baroque art. One of the most popular exhibits features tzantzas, or shrunken heads, from the Shuar people. Reconstructions of Afro-Ecuadorian houses from the Esmeraldas province offer insight into the country's diverse cultures. The museum also displays archaeological artifacts, including ceramics and ucuyayas (amulets). A numismatic collection showcases the history of Ecuadorian currency. Outside, explore the extensive ruins of Tomebamba, an Incan city destroyed during the Incan civil war and by the Spanish conquistadors. While much of the city was destroyed, the foundations of buildings and terraces remain. The complex also features an ethnobotanical garden with native Ecuadorian plants and a bird rescue center.

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