Border Crossing

From Ecuador to Peru by Bus

Bus Border Crossing from Ecuador to Peru: A Smooth and Affordable Journey

If you're heading from Ecuador to Peru and want a budget-friendly, hassle-free option, taking an overnight bus from Guayaquil is a great choice. Here’s a breakdown of our experience and some key tips to make your trip as smooth as ours!

 

Entry Requirements to Peru:

  • Check before going to Peru if you need a visa
  • Get an outward ticket of Peru to be sure in case they ask

 

This journey can be done the other way around too, however, there are different entry requirements for going to Ecuador!

Booking the Bus

To travel from Guayaquil, we booked our tickets through Busbud. Normally, I’m a bit wary of third-party booking sites, but since Ecuador requires proof of onward travel, this was a convenient solution. The ticket cost $30 for an 8-10 hour overnight ride.

 

The Busbud website:

https://www.busbud.com/es-419/country/pe?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand-es-peru&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgf21_ZuUjAMV7QnvAh38iC9AEAAYASAAEgLX9PD_BwE 

We traveled with Civa, but another option is Cruz del Sur, which you can book online on their website or at the Guayaquil bus terminal. Both buses leave almost daily at 8 PM from Level 2, Platform 101 in the Guayaquil bus terminal (look for the sign!).

 

Important Tip: If your online ticket doesn’t scan at the platform entrance (ours didn’t), don’t panic! Just walk through or under the gates, your Busbud ticket itself is enough. No need to check in at the counter. The Civa staff needs to check your passport before going on the bus, so keep it somewhere accessible.

The Journey

We had low expectations because of some mixed online reviews, but Civa turned out to be fantastic. The bus was modern, clean, and super comfortable. Here’s what made it great:

  • Fully reclining seats

  • Privacy curtains

  • Generous legroom

  • Toilets on the bus

Border crossing and immigration:

One of the biggest concerns with international bus travel is the border process, but this route was incredibly smooth. Here’s how it went:

  1. The bus staff guided us through the immigration process.

  2. We got stamped out of Ecuador and into Peru at the same office.

  3. We had a bathroom break before moving on.

  4. Everyone waited while luggage was scanned.

  5. The whole process took 30-45 minutes, and we weren’t even asked for proof of onward travel in Peru.

Arrival in Peru

  • 3:30 AM: First stop Máncora

  • 6:00 AM: Sullana

  • 6:30 AM: Final stop Piura

 

We stayed at Hospedaje Kira in Piura for $9 per person per night. It included a room with a fridge and microwave but only a fan, so it got quite hot. Luckily, they let us check in early! it was around 25 minutes walking from the Civa bus terminal, but there are plenty of Tuk Tuks driving around if you prefer this.

Getting a SIM Card in Piura

This was trickier than expected. In Peru, you officially need to be a Peruvian citizen to buy a prepaid SIM card. If you don’t have an eSIM, it can be challenging.

Tips for Getting a Tourist SIM:

  • The Tourist Information Center (not available in Piura) can sometimes sell them.

  • Try asking around at Claro or Movistar stores, we eventually found someone who sold us prepaid cards, though it wasn’t the most conventional method.

Our Final Thoughts

Overall, our experience traveling from Ecuador to Peru via bus was safe, easy, and affordable. If you’re considering this route, we highly recommend Civa for a comfortable ride and stress-free border crossing!

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