Let’s find a new border between Perú and Ecuador.
Country
Our original plan was to take the road from Huancabamba to Ayabaca, Pingola, Culqui, Zuyo and end in Macara - Ecuador; 310 km that normally would appear to be good for one day but not when you know that there are thousands of curves, it has been raining a lot and 40% of the road is expected to be muddy gravel.
There are 4 main borders between the two countries, in order of importance Huaquillas – Tumbes, Macara, El Alamor – Zapotillo, and La Balsa. All of them have good paved roads at both sides, the only one that has 72km of gravel is La Balsa.
Looking for an alternate border we found on the map the beginning of PE 3N route in Vado Grande, it was very difficult to find someone to give us information. Finally, we were informed that there is no bridge and no immigration offices there, you can cross the river in the dry season and they use simple drafts and ropes to cross people and whoever knows what… Seemed like a bad idea to try it.
We found a second option, Espindola – Jimbura border. So nice, to the north of Huancabamba, 60% paved, 1 lane and at least 1500 curves with 200m cliff at the side, amazing.
After 150km, in Yanchala, you can get gasoline in a small house before turning right to a 33km beautiful muddy and slippery road that takes you to the Peruvian immigration office at the border; 5 km further in Jimbura you have the Ecuadorian immigration office. Keep off-roading for 17km and after 54km total off-road you get to the actual civilization in Amaluza – Ecuador.
We spent the night in Cariamanga. I like Perú so much but I LOVE my country, Ecuador.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to notice that there is no SUNAT office (Peruvian customs) in this border, so it is not possible to legalize the TIP (Temporary import permit) out of Peru or into Ecuador. If you are going north as we did, you have to go to MACARA afterwards and do the paperwork. If you are going south I have no idea where you can do it, anything is too far.
