Guayaquil Travel Forum

Hi,

I've been reading up on getting from Lima to Guayaquil, and then back to Lima.

Does anyone have an experience or suggestions on the whether or not it's worth it to take a bus instead of a plane? I know it's 24 hours on the road. But a round trip flight costing around $500 is not easy on the wallet.

Any recommended bus companies? Any idea of the fare?

Thanks in advance!

My son has done the trip at least once by bus from Lima to Guayaquil and I will email him for more info. However, I do remember him saying it was a bit of a nightmare - and he is a "hardened" South American traveller! One of the difficulties is crossing the border into Ecuador, as you have to physically walk across and it can take hours to get processed, plus where he crossed was not very salubrious. If he mentioned it, then it must have been pretty horrid! The other thing that he said about bus travel in general in Peru is that you must not travel at night on a bus, so you might want to plan your itinerary accordingly. Don't forget you will also have to come back!! Anyhow, I will email him and get further info. Oh yes, I don't think he did it in a "oner" as he stopped off at quite a few places along the way and found these places to be fascinating.

Wish you had put where you are from, as it makes it much easier to answer questions more specifically!

it would be a very long and unexciting bus trip. but if you are able to sleep it away somehow then it's ok. sorry, i don't know how much it would cost. i did 17 hours from mancora in the north of peru to lima and i did manage to sleep virtually the entire trip which was lucky. generally long distance buses are quite comfortable especially if you get a cama seat which is practically bed (that is what "cama" means).

Yes, the border crossing plus stops for meals, changes of drivers, ect. doesn't make long distance bus travel fun at all. If you can afford it, fly. If not, can you break up your trip? There are some nice beaches in Mancora. As I remember, getting to and crossing the border to Ecuador from Mancora takes more than one bus, and it can take quite a while.

I have sent you an email with my son's reply. Let me know if you don't receive it. Hope it will be of help.

Kvdmeer is right, it'll be a much better bus trip if you stop off on the way. Trujillo and chiclayo have some very intresting pre-inca sites and you can surf at the beach in Trujillo. Mancora is supposed to be a nice beach town but I've never been there.