Ecuador Peru Border Crossing

by David and Lin
(Los Organos, Peru)

There have been horrific reports of the border crossing at Huaquillas or Aguas Verdes (Tumbes) from Ecuador into Peru.

Fortunately, all that can be avoided.

It is always a good idea to check out info ahead of time so that things like this are avoided.

My wife and I have crossed at this border 4 times in the last 8 months with absolutely no problems...except for the usual time it takes to get passports stamped and perhaps a short time at the customs checkpoint.

Also, asking nicely at the border, we have visas for six months rather than the usual 3 months.

As stated above, the way to make the border crossing with few problems is by taking a "luxury" bus (about $20 USD per person) from Guayaquil to Mancora (or vice versa).

Since we live just south of Mancora in Los Organos, we can get a ticket to there and get dropped off just 2 blocks from home, this being about 6 a.m. usually.

Of course, you could also catch one of these buses closer to the border - like in Machala, Ecuador - and get off close to the border in Tumbes, Peru if you wanted.

These buses cross in the wee hours of the morning and there are few people around.