Mancora, Peru

24 de Mayo is a holiday in Ecuador.  What better way to celebrate than by taking a road trip, with friends, to Mancora, Peru, starting Friday morning at 5:00am!

GIRON, ECUADOR
We stopped in Giron for a restroom break just as the sun was beginning to rise. Giron is a town and parish in Azuay Province.  Population 3,500.

PUERTO JELI, ECUADOR
This quaint town is located near Machala, Ecuador and is known for it's fresh seafood.  We stopped at 9:00am for breakfast.

I enjoyed a breakfast of shrimp and rice with plantains.

MACHALA, ECUADOR
Machala, "the banana capital of the world," capital of the El Oro Province, and located near the Gulf of Guayaquil.  It is the fourth biggest city, in Ecuador, and the second most important port.

After spending some time exploring Machala we drove toward the Ecuador-Peru border. Once at the border we had to go through the migration process of leaving Ecuador and then entering Peru. Being a holiday weekend, it took just over an hour to complete.

On the road again and headed to our destination of Mancora, Peru where we arrived just before 6:00pm. The beach was a short walk from our bungalows. Friday was a very long day with a few surprises along the way.  However, it was worth every minute of it.  Lots of laughs and memories were made on this day.

MANCORA, PERU
Mancora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region in northwestern Peru.  It is located in the Talara Province and is the capital of the Mancora District.  Population is around 9,000. 

Saturday was beach and exploration day.

We enjoyed several hours at this beautiful beach. Honestly, one of the best beaches I have ever visited.  Next, time to join our tour group and swim with the turtles!

This was definitely the highlight of the trip. Enjoy the photos!

Needless to say, after so much fun, sun, and swimming with the turtles it was time to take a siesta. Four hours later, Wilmer and I head to the beach to enjoy the nightlife that Mancora had to offer.  Lots of people, music, and dancing!

Sunday morning and time to return to Cuenca.  But, not before souvenir shopping and lunch along the way.

Final stop, the Peru-Ecuador border to stock up on cheap liquor!

Thanks to Rosario and Maria Belen for inviting Wilmer and I to join you on this very special trip.  And an extra special shout-out to Rosario for doing all of the driving!!!