Ecuador Land Entry

Hoping to hear from any tourists that have crossed the Ecuador land border recently from Peru? We had wanted to cross at La Balsa from Chachapoyas to Vilcabamba/Loja, but online research indicates most small border posts are closed due to ongoing domestic issues, and the Huaquilla crossing near the coast is the only regular option? Buses seem to run overnight from Mancora, but other reports say the border closes 2300 - 0500 each night.

Also any guidance on the need for criminal record check, or application for an exemption for foreign tourists to Ecuador? Ecuador's official immigration site states these are needed, but Reddit posts in the past few months suggest these are rarely enforced?