[60sRetro]

Anyone have first-hand knowledge about the land border crossing situation in South America? Particularly interested in whether the Colombia-Ecuador land border is open, but also land borders for Ecuador-Peru-Bolivia-Paraguay.

[AzCal Retred]

Doesn't look like you are crossing unless you are an aid worker & can prove it. You are entering an area where you can easily be kidnapped & ransomed, if you are lucky. Things are pretty desperate in S.A., not a great time for tourism. The Southwest US & Mexico offer lots of Spanish speakers, mountains, oceans, and a better chance of staying above ground.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/story/2021-09-22/u-s-mexico-land-border-restrictions-extended-through-oct-21
U.S. land borders with Mexico and Canada will remain closed to nonessential travel through Oct. 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Tuesday.
“To minimize the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on nonessential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through October 21, while continuing to ensure the flow of essential trade and travel,” the federal agency said via Twitter.

https://andestransit.com/portal/en/5-ways-to-cross-the-colombia-ecuador-border#:~:text=IMPORTANT%3A%20Due%20to%20COVID%2D19,allows%20entry%20for%20qualified%20travelers.
IMPORTANT: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Colombia and Ecuador closed their borders as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the virus in 2020. However, as of June 2021, Colombia open their borders while Ecuador kept them closed. The border is partially open and allows entry for qualified travelers. if you need to travel between these 2 countries, please check your cross-border options here or get full assistance to obtain your travel authorization permit.

https://andestransit.com/portal/en/cross-border-during-covid-19
" In mid-June of 2021, the governments of Colombia and Ecuador agreed to begin a gradual easing of the border closure between their two countries that had been in place since March of 2020.
The border is not yet open for general travel or tourism-related purposes, but the governments have allowed border crossing for humanitarian purposes to let their respective citizens come home according to a qualifying application process.
While foreign travelers are not prohibited from also applying, the burden is upon them to make the case that they have humanitarian reasons for needing to cross the border or that they deserve some other type of exemption.
If you want to cross the border at this time, you need to get a letter from the authorizing entity depending on which country you are in and which country you want to enter (Ecuador or Colombia). The table below lists the authorizing entities:
"

zzz

[60sRetro]

Doesn't look like you are crossing unless you are an aid worker & can prove it...

Thanks for pulling that together, much appreciated. I had seen snippets of similar information. Was in conversation with an RE dealer in Bogota about a purchase and asked them but didn't get a straight answer.

Fark...will have to look elsewhere for a winter adventure.

[60sRetro]

Further thoughts...

Just wanted to say it's not this part "entering an area where you can easily be kidnapped & ransomed" that gives me second thoughts. These kinds of warnings are common for many countries, and in my experience, common sense protects you.

But closed land borders is a non-starter for a multi-country bike tour.

[AzCal Retred]

As a kid in the 1970's our family went to Mexico many times and had no issues. We travelled in a 1960 Chevy Pickup with a beater cabover camper, so we sorta looked like we belonged. Only the folks living the high life had issues, as it was obvious there was money to be had from a gringo in a $80K motorhome of $25K pickup towing a $15K boat. Nobody likes having his lack of money & opportunity rubbed in his face.

50 years on, things are in general more desperate. Cell phones give the "bad eggs" excellent comms. Drug money has generated weapons proliferation. Ducks exhibit common sense staying in a flock, but that doesn't stop hunters from dropping a few. Rolling the dice will come up poorly every so often for everyone. Canada is a nice choice from June to September, or more if you have good gear. Take along a quart of Deet, eh?