As you travel across South
America, exploring this beautiful, diverse and culturally rich
continent, you will probably have to cross a certain number of borders
between your various destinations. If you are traveling by land, here
are some tips to crossing the border between Peru and Ecuador, to help
you plan your South American vacation.
The most common route overland
to Peru is via Machala, a pleasant if not charming city, capital of the
province El Oro, and the center of banana production and exporting in
Ecuador. Although this is not the most beautiful city in Ecuador, it is
a good stopping point on your way to Peru. From here, you can easily
catch a bus to Huaquillas, the Ecuadorian border town, which has become
a commercial center and a shopping arcade for Peruvians who massively
cross the border every weekend to take advantage of the lower prices
offered by their neighbors.
The border between Peru and
Ecuador runs along the Rio Zarumilla and is crossed by the
international bridge at the end of the Avenida Republica in Huaquillas.
It's only a short walk to the bus terminal, located just off the main
street. The Ecuadorian check point, located about 3 km north of town,
is open 24h and you should plan on 1 to 2 hours to complete the
formalities, although this can be much quicker. To cross to Peru, just
walk along Huaquillas' main street and cross the bridge.
On the Peruvian side, the
immigration and customs complex, also open 24h, is located just outside
Zarumilla, about 3km past the international bridge. The first border
town is Aguas Verde, where you will find all the basic facilities
including a hostel and a travel agency. The closest town from where you
can continue on into Peru is Tumbes, which can be reached with
colectivos (found near the bridge), minibuses, and mototaxis.
The Huaquillas-Tumbes crossing,
although relatively easy, can be pretty wearing, especially when it is
very hot and crowded. There are some more relaxed crossing alternatives
a little further along the border such as Maraca, or even more out of
the way in Zumba and Loja, for those who have time to spare.
