Esmeraldas to Cuenca flights
Cuenca lies 435 km (270 mi) south of Esmeraldas, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 18 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Esmeraldas | Cuenca | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Ecuador | Ecuador |
| Population | 218,727 | 636,996 |
| Elevation | 18 m (59 ft) | 2,484 m (8,150 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Guayaquil) | UTC-5 (America/Guayaquil) |
| Nearest large airport | ESM, 4 km out | CUE, 1 km out |
Airports at each end
Leaving Esmeraldas
Esmeraldas is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Carlos Concha Torres International Airport (ESM), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 7,874 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Arriving in Cuenca
Cuenca is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE), 1 km (1 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,234 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariscal Lamar Airport (regional) | CUE | 1 km (1 mi) | 6,234 ft | 8,306 ft |
Book a flight to Cuenca
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Staying in Cuenca
Our booking partner lists 478 places to stay in Cuenca. Of the 195 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (96), and 8 are five-star. Across 87 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.7 out of 10. Guests have left 23,949 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Cuenca
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Cuenca from Esmeraldas?
435 km (270 mi) in a straight line, south of Esmeraldas.
How long does it take to get from Esmeraldas to Cuenca by air?
About 1 h 18 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Esmeraldas and Cuenca?
No, both are on America/Guayaquil at the moment.
Which airports are used for Esmeraldas to Cuenca flights?
Typically Carlos Concha Torres International Airport (ESM) to Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE).
Where can I stay in Cuenca?
Our booking partner lists 478 places to stay in Cuenca, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.