Gualaceo is a sizable town located in a valley in the southeast of the Ecuadorian Andes cordillera, and about 20 miles east of the province capital Cuenca; its altitude is 2.449 meters. The valley of Gualaceo is crossed by the Santa Barbara River and its 3 smaller tributaries the San Francisco, San Jose y Guaymincay, creating a beautiful riverfront scenery; their waters are still clean enough that swimmers can be observed virtually every day.
Gualaceo is surrounded by mountains 3,500 meters tall, offering hikers and bikers many recreational possibilities
