Elevation
Cuenca elevation and altitude
Cuenca, Ecuador is 8,150 feet (2,484 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 8,150 feet means in Cuenca
Among the 689 cities on this site, Cuenca is one of the highest. At 8,150 ft the air is thin enough that most visitors notice it: stairs and hills feel harder for the first few days.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Cuenca a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 22.10 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 197 °F (91.6 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Cuenca
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quito, Ecuador | 9,364 | 2,854 | 187 mi |
| Cali, Colombia | 2,487 | 758 | 469 mi |
| Cerro de Pasco, Peru | 14,623 | 4,457 | 569 mi |
| Bogotá, Colombia | 8,471 | 2,582 | 620 mi |
| Lima, Peru | 499 | 152 | 646 mi |
| Medellin, Colombia | 4,610 | 1,405 | 674 mi |
| Huancayo, Peru | 11,798 | 3,596 | 685 mi |
| Panama City, Panama | 56 | 17 | 822 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Cuenca?
Cuenca, Ecuador is about 8,150 feet (2,484 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Cuenca because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 8,150 ft is about 22.10 inHg (748 hPa), 74% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 74% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Cuenca?
About 197 °F (91.6 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.