Gualaceo is a city in Azuay Province, Ecuador, and serves as the capital of Gualaceo Canton. Located approximately 35 kilometers east of Cuenca, it is one of the largest cities in the Azuay region. The city is nicknamed "El Jardin del Azuay," which translates to "The Garden of Azuay," reflecting its significance within the province.
As an important urban center in the southern highlands of Ecuador, Gualaceo functions as a regional hub for the surrounding canton. Its position relative to Cuenca, the provincial capital, establishes it as a secondary but substantial settlement in the Azuay Province.