Arriving in Peru from Ecuador through the Huaquillas-Tumbes crossing is a bit of a workout!

The border-crossing procedure is pretty interesting. Your bus stops upon entering Huaquillas, which is on the Ecuadorian side to allow you to "leave" the country by getting your exit stamp from Ecuador. You then continue to the city's terminal (remember, this is on a normal passenger bus) where you are flocked-to by money changers (and where we got $20 USD worth in fake Peruvian Soles!) and taxi drivers that wish to take you to Tumbes on the Peruvian side.

Take into account that at this point you have left Ecuador (at least on paper). You then cross a bridge that wishes you a good trip and welcomes you into Peru. However, you aren't officially stamped-in yet, as the immigration office is a taxi-ride away (about 4 km)!

We got a combined ride where the guy takes us to the Peruvian immigration office, waits for us, and then takes us to the Peruvian town of Tumbes which is another 45 mins from the immigration office, for about $4 USD total for 4 people.

The actual Peruvian immigration office is an old, run-down building, with street vendors and half-naked children running around inside. There are no computers. Only a guy that stamps your passport, and hands you a tourist card. Our bags are not marked, checked or anything.

After all this, an 18 hr ride to Lima is in order as there is not much to see in Tumbes. A cold beer would also be good but because there are elections this weekend, they stopped selling alcohol in all stores and bars. Now maybe if we did that in Quebec, next election will see an increase in voter turnout!