The Museo Pumapungo is large as life! Located in Cuenca’s Banco Central complex, colorfully animated dioramas illustrate the varied cultures in Ecuador. These displays cover an entire floor and show life-sized examples from the coast, highlands and jungle. One exhibit features shrunken heads.
Other Pumapungo (“gate of the puma”) exhibits include photographs of early Cuenca life and a historical perspective on Ecuadorian currency. A special section shows this first 80 years of bank history. For a limited time, there is also an impressive exhibit called Oro y Plata. Many pieces of gold, silver and copper artifacts, created by indigenous people throughout Ecuadorian history, are showcased.
To the dismay of one half of Two Who Trek, the museum does not allow photographs inside the building. But here is a shot of the exterior:
Exterior of the main museum at Pumapungo
Fountain with the Incan ruins entrance behind.
Surrounding the museum complex on one side are ruins of Tomebamba, the Inca city located in what is now Cuenca. The Spanish conquistadors removed most of the stone to build Cuenca but enough remains to envision this sizable complex.
A map of the Inca ruins at Pumapungo, in the heart of Cuenca, Ecuador
Inca ruins on the upper level of Pumapungo
Inca foundations on the upper level of Museo Pumapungo in the heart of Cuenca
Inca ruins at Pumapungo, in the heart of Cuenca, Ecuador
The upper level (on top of the terraces) of Pumapungo
The upper level (on top of the terraces) of Pumapungo
The newer portion of Cuenca, as seen from the old ruins
The upper level (on top of the terraces) of Pumapungo, featuring the spiritual center
The upper level (on top of the terraces) of Pumapungo, showing storage areas, or the home of the Virgins
The upper level (on top of the terraces) of Pumapungo, with a re-creation of a storage building.
Terraces at Pumapungo, as seen from the garden
The terraces at Pumapungo, with the canal in the foreground.
The 800 meter canal at Pumapungo, with a weed-whacker going in the background.
The Baños at Pumapungo
The site of the Palace, with a high school (white) and the Banco Central (gray) in the background.
Gardens illustrate Inca flora so well we forgot we were in the middle of the city of Cuenca.
The garden, containing many native Ecuadorian food crops, as seen from the upper level.
Map of the garden area of Pumapungo
A stone stairway in the gardens at Pumapungo
Tending the crops in the gardens
The aviary houses birds of different feathers, native to the country.
A colorful parrot at the aviary.
A not-so-good view of the plants surrounding the aviary.
Although no guinea pigs were seen, eight resident llamas graze on the grounds. They give added authenticity to the scene.
It wouldn’t be an archeological site in Ecuador without llamas
Our rather comprehensive tour over two afternoons, was time well spent!
Two Who Trek 
Your reports are great of all the places you’ve visited. I found your blog on google and have now spent tons of time on it looking around. I visited Cuenca while doing research for a novel about the Inkas. What a great place! I was shocked about how little is known about the history. Is it okay if I use some of your photos for a post I’m writing? I’ll be sure to give you credit. It was raining when I visited, and well, my pictures aren’t so great unfortunately.
Certainly you can use them as long as you give credit. Please send me a link to the completed post as we like to see my photos in other settings. Thanks!
I will let you know. Hopefully it’ll be done today, but I’m guessing you know how those things go…
It’s published. If you’d like to read it: http://www.cordandtassel.com/blog/. Forgive me, I’m new to the blogging world and it’s still a bit rough around the edges-nothing like yours. All the best on your travels!