It is possible to travel by bus from Lima Peru to Guayaquil Ecuador. "Would you save money?" YES. "How about time?" NO. Cruz del Sur runs three services per week from Lima to Guayaquil with only two stops, to drop off and pick up passengers. The stops were at Trujillo and Mancora, Peru.
They operate trips to Guayaquil on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Passengers have a choice of first class or VIP class. We went on the VIP which is located at the lower deck with 12 seats and one toilet just outside the VIP cabin door. The first class seats were located upstairs.
Four differences between VIP and first class:
1. Seats are larger.
2. Leather seats.
3. Recline up to 160 degrees.
4. Less passengers and can be quieter.
We paid US$374 for four people.
The bus departs from Cruz del Sur's bus station at Av. Javiar Prado, Lima at 2:45 p.m. and arrived at Quayaquil at 6:30 p.m. the next day. Check in at least half an hour before departure. All checked in bags were given identification tags. Security was quite strict. An attendant used a metal detector and went through our carry on and did 'body check' almost like the airport check-in. You must have your passport handy at all times.
We had police coming on board just to check identification papers.
We tried to purchase our tickets online but it was impossible. Instead we purchased them three days before departure at Cruz del Sur station in Av. Javiar Prado. All major credit cards are accepted. You must bring your passport when purchasing tickets.
Immigration and Custom at the border was easy. The bus attendant gave each person an immigration form to fill out for Ecuador. The immigration building belongs to Peru and Ecuador. So you exit from Peru at the left counter and enter to Ecuador at the right counter. Snacks can be purchased in front of the immigration and custom building. These were 'comfort food' after sitting for 22 hours.
Food in Cruz del Sur is edible. One huge setback - no coffee or complimentary wine like those offered by Andesmar from Bariloche to Mendoza or Uruguay to Brazil.
Cruz del Sur pluses:
The personalized TV screens on the seat with a variety of English and Spanish movies.
The bus has WiFi in Peru and immediately shut off when we arrived at the Ecuadorian border.
Tips:
1. Check out availability online. www.cruzdelsur.com.pe
2. We were advised to take Cruz del Sur because many of the other bus companies may be unsafe.
3. Bring snacks and water.
4. No toilet stops and toilet usage in the bus is limited to #1.
5. Think happy thoughts and bring a good headphone for music.
We saved over US$1800 going on the 28 hours bus ride from Lima to Guayaquil. Airfare each way to Guayaquil was US$560 per person on LAN Airlines. Would you travel for 28 hours on a bus just to save US$1800? Let us know. 🙂
