Tumbes, a practical guide for visitors [en]

Tumbes

Punta Sal © Marco Garro / PROMPERÚ

A practical guide for visitors

Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary Š Gihan Tubbeh / PROMPERÚ

Nature in Tumbes is a hymn to diversity: mangrove forests and incredible wildlife, which includes amazing birds, red crabs and black scallops.

Tumbes Location

Northern coast of Peru on the border with Ecuador

Capital

Tumbes (6 meters)

Elevation Min.: 5 meters (Caleta La Cruz) Max.: 1650 meters (Amotapes Mountain Range - San Jacinto)

Climate Temperature Max.:

32 ยบC

Min.:

21 ยบC

Dec - Mar

June - Sept

Mar - June

Sept - Dec

Arriving By land

20 hr.

Piura - Tumbes: 278 km / 5 hr. 30 min Lima - Tumbes: 1259 km /

Machala (Ecuador) - Tumbes: 97.1 km /

1 hr. 30 min

By air Regular flights from Lima to the city of Tumbes /

1 hr. 50 min

Calendar 6-7 Jan

Anniversary of the Independence of Tumbes

28-29 Jun

Contralmirante Villar Patron Saint’s Feast Day in honor of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

26 July

International day of the Mangrove Ecosystem Defense

10-12 Aug

Santa Clarita Patron Saint’s Feast Day

23-27 Aug

World Ecopoetry Festival, Tumbes

4th week of Sept

Cantata to the Chief Chilimasa, Lord of the Tumpis, Tumbes

24-30 Sept

Mangrove Festival

8 Dec

Immaculate Conception Feast Day

What to eat?

The gastronomy of Tumbes is notable for the freshness of its ingredients, primarily ocean fish and shellfish. Black shell, emblematic of the region, are the base of tasty ceviches and rice dishes. There is also traditional ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice), caldo de bolas de plátano (stuffed banana balls in a broth), parihuela (shellfish soup), chicharrón de pescado (fried seafood), majarisco (cooked plantain with shellfish sauce) and causa de plátano (potato salad stuffed with banana). The area’s fruit is used to prepare drinks such as chinguirito (made with coconut juice), macerado de grosella (soaked redcurrants) and cóctel de guayaba (guava cocktail); and desserts such as antecoco (a coconut flan), dulce de guineo (silk banana sweet) and dulce de pechiche (pechiche fruit sweet).

What to buy?

In the fishing coves, the craftsmen sell ornaments and jewelry made from seashells, different colored spondylus (mollusk) and corals. The pasalla, a fiber from the stem of the banana tree, is used to make decorations inspired by the area’s typical wildlife.

Distances

By private travel from the city of Tumbes to the cities of: DESTINATION

DISTANCE

TIME

Puerto Pizarro (Tumbes Province)

13 km

15 min

La Cruz (Tumbes Province)

16 km

15 min

Zarumilla (Zarumilla Province)

23 km

25 min

Zorritos (Contralmirante Villar Province)

27 km

30 min

Aguas Verdes (Zarumilla Province)

27 km

30 min

Canoas de Punta Sal (Contralmirante Villar Province)

80 km

1 hr. 30 min

Black scallop ceviche © Manchamanteles / PROMPERÚ

Tours

3 days (the minimum recommended stay)

1 day

Archeology and city: Center of Tumbes and the Cabeza de Vaca Archeological Monumental Area

1 day

Mangroves: Mangroves and Puerto Pizarro islands and the Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary.

1 day

Forests: Amotape Hills National Park

1 day

Beaches: La Cruz Beach, Zorritos seaside resort, Bocapán Beach and Punta Sal seaside resort.

1 day

Border: Aguas Verdes shopping and the International Bridge.

Departmental capital Provincial capital District capital Tourist a raction International border Provincial border Main road Asphalted road Unmade road Port Airport

Flamingos in the Tumbes mangroves © Gihan Tubbeh / PROMPERÚ

Natural Protected Area

Approved by RD N° 0360/RE, December 01, 2016. These limits do not prejudge about the international limits.

Tumbes

Bocapán Beach

Bonanza Beach Acapulco Beach

Peña Redonda Beach

Punta Mero Beach

Punta Sal Seaside Resort

To Piura To Chiclayo

Scale (km)

PACIFIC OCEAN To Ecuador Punta Capones Beach

Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary The Mangrove's House

Mangroves and Puerto Pizarro islands

CEBAF PerĂş

Hermosa Beach Cabeza de Vaca Archaeological Monumental Area

La Cruz Beach Caleta Grau Beach Zorritos Seaside Resort Los Pinos Beach

Hervideros Hot Water Springs

Amotape Hills National Park

Tumbes National Reserve

What to see?

Tumbes Province The Main Square

In the center of the city of Tumbes.

The feature here is “El encuentro de dos mundos” (The meeting of two worlds), a mosaic which adorns the acoustic shell located at one end of the square. There is also a sculpture of a horse, the work of the renowned Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín and a representation of the cacique or curaca Chilimasa, who resisted the Spanish occupation.

The San Nicolás de Tolentino Mother Church

Cl. Grau, 3rd block, opposite the Tumbes Main Square.

This 17th century baroque temple features two domes coated in mosaics. Its main altar is carved in wood and also displays mosaic work.

The Los Libertadores Pedestrian Mall

Jirón Bolívar, 1st and 2nd block.

The city’s main commercial activities take place along this mall, which is home to banks, shops and restaurants. In honor of the liberators for whom it is named, the mall is lined with sculptures of José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.

"La Concordia Peruana-Ecuatoriana” Pedestrian Mall Av. San Martín, 1st and 2nd block.

This mall symbolizes the ties of brotherhood between Peru and Ecuador.

The Jerusalén Mall

Av. San Martín, 4th and 5th block.

Monuments which portray the life of Jesus Christ line this pedestrian mall. The most emblematic is 15 meters tall and represents the Ascension. A shield gifted to the city of Tumbes by the people of Jerusalem hangs on a wall along the mall.

Puerto Pizarro seaside resort © Marco Garro / PROMPERÚ

Tumbes Cathedral © Marco Garro / PROMPERÚ

Cabeza de Vaca Archeological Monumental Area

6 km to the southwest of the city of Tumbes (10 min. by car), in the village of Cabeza de Vaca, in the district of Corrales. Ticket entry.

This is a guided circuit which begins with the Chief Chilimasa and the Cabeza de Vaca (the Cow’s Head) site museum, whose rooms exhibit archeological materials and documents that link the archeological area with Qhapaq Ñan (the Inca Trail). A path connects the museum with a lookout, from where Pre-Hispanic structures can be seen, as well as the surrounding area. The path continues to the Huaca of the Sun, made of adobe and stone.

Hermosa Beach

13 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (20 min. by car), taking the La Jota village detour.

As there are no tourist services, it is necessary to organize transport to reach this wide beach with calm waters and fine sand. Because of the rich variety of species, it is an ideal place for angling and spearfishing, among a range of aquatic sports.

La Cruz Beach

16 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (15 min. by car).

This beach is very popular with both locals and tourists. It has a crescent shape and as its waters are rich in fish, it a«racts angling enthusiasts.

Mangroves and Puerto Pizarro Islands

13 km to the north of the city of Tumbes (15 min. by car).

Boat trips tour the estuaries of the Tumbes River delta. The accumulation of sediment and silt has formed islands such as Amor (Love) and Hueso de Ballena (The Whale’s Bone), where you can disembark and enjoy the beaches. Pájaros is another popular island, where a large number of birds arrive at dusk, in particular the frigatebird. The area is rich in species such as black scallops and mollusk, which are a very common part of the regional cuisine. The captive breeding center for the Tumbes crocodile, a species unique to the country, can also be visited.

The Mangrove's House

Rivera del Mar Norte Esplanade, to the side of the Puerto Pizarro harbor master.

Through displays of flora and fauna, photographs and infographics, the objective of the center is to present the rich biology of the mangrove ecosystem and the area’s cultural practices, such as the ancient fishing techniques.

Zarumilla Province Aguas Verdes

27 km to the north of the city of Tumbes (30 min. by car).

This is an important city for commerce because of its location on the border. The International Bridge connects it with the Ecuadorian city of Huaquillas.

Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary

30 km to the north of the city of Tumbes (50 min. by car), in the district of Aguas Verdes. Ticket entry.

This forest consists of five species of mangrove (red, crimson, white, black and bu«onwood). This characteristic means it has rich biodiversity, with more than 148 bird species, 41 plant species, 135 fish species and 16 of crustaceans (the black scallop is the outstanding example) and 74 species of mollusk. The environment is conducive to ecotourism, experiential tourism and adventure sports.

Punta Capones Beach

4 hr. by rowboat / 1 hr. by motorboat from Port 25 at the Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary.

The main quality of this virgin beach is the warmth of its waters. A large number of red crabs congregate on its shores between January and April, offering the visitor a rare natural spectacle.

The Tumbes National Reserve

51 km to the northeast of the city of Tumbes (3 hr. by car).

The reserve’s 19,266.72 hectares are the refuge of characteristic coastal species (such as the coastal fox), mountain species (the Andean condor) and species of the Amazon (the jaguar). It is also the habitat of endangered species such as the Tumbes mantled howler monkey and the white-headed capuchin (the only two species of monkey on the Peruvian coast), the Tumbes crocodile and the northwestern o«er. The angolo, the kapok and the Peruvian carob feature among the most representative species of plants. The ideal time to visit the reserve is when it is not raining, between the months of May and November.

Contralmirante Villar Province Hervideros Hot Water Springs

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40 km from the city of Tumbes (45 min by car). South of Zorritos, taking a detour in Bocapán.

Small pools of brackish and thermal water with different properties that are apparently in constant boiling. They are located in the middle of an equatorial dry forest area and the water temperature is about 30 °C.

Amotape Hills National Park © Pilar Olivares / PROMPERÚ j. M

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The Huarapal, Pozo Azul and Pilares de Peña Blanca waterfalls are amongst the delights of the Amotape Hills, an ideal place for camping, hikes and observing the flora and the wildlife.

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Beaches • Caleta Grau 23 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (20 min. by car).

It’s calm and shallow waters make this an ideal location for water sports and camping.

• Zorritos Seaside Resort 27 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (30 min. by car).

Because the water is warm and the waves continuous, this resort is one of the favorite destinations of surfing, power boating and fishing enthusiasts. It has a wide range of tourist facilities including hotels and restaurants.

• Los Pinos 30 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (34 min. by car).

This beach is suitable for water sports.

• Bocapán 35 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (40 min. by car).

The northern end of the beach is sandy and the southern is pebbly. There are tourist facilities.

• Bonanza 40 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (45 min. by car).

This beach has fine sand.

• Acapulco 45 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (50 min. by car).

This beach is broad, rich in fish as well as shellfish and crustaceans and is ideal for angling and spear fishing.

• Peña Redonda 60 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (1 hr. by car).

This is one of the most popular beaches for surfing. It is characterized by short waves and occasional tubes.

• Punta Sal Seaside Resort 80 km to the south of the city of Tumbes (1 hr. 30 min. by bus).

With its warm and gentle waters and clear sand, this is one of the most popular beaches of northern Peru. It has high quality services for tourists. Surfing, boating, sport fishing and diving are among the activities offered. Trips to watch dolphins and humpback whales are not-to-be missed between July and September.

Tumbes City Center Urban area

1

San Nicolás de Tolentino Mother Church

2

Old Town Hall

3

"La Concordia Peruana-Ecuatoriana” pedestrian mall

4

Los Libertadores pedestrian mall

5

Jerusalén pedestrian mall

6

La Madre boulevard

7

Virgen Inmaculada Concepción mall

Amotape Hills National Park

36 km from the city of Tumbes (1 hr. 5 min by car), along the Tumbes-Rica Playa route. Visits by prior arrangement with SERNANP, telephone (072) 526-489 or email: pncerrosdeamotape@sernanp.gob.pe This park can be accessed from the border between the Tumbes and Piura regions through the sectors of Caucho, Angostura, Rica Playa, Casitas, Matapalo or Fernández. It is vast and ranges from an elevation of 120 meters (Rica Playa) to 1538 meters (Cerro Campana). Hiking allows the visitor to see flora such as the Peruvian carob, the hualtaco, the sapota and the guayacan; as well as varied wildlife including species emblematic of tropical forests (the oncilla, the collared peccary, the red head parrot), of arid zones (the northern anteater) and of the Andes (the Andean condor). As well as navigating the Tumbes River canyon, the visitor can enjoy the Pozo Azul, Huarapal and Pilares de Peña Blanca Waterfalls (Casitas). The ideal time to visit the park is when it is not raining, between the months of May and November.

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(01) 574-8000 24 hours iperu@promperu.gob.pe TUMBES (51 1) 616-7300 ext.: 3047, 3049

Centro Jr. Bolognesi 194, Municipalidad Provincial de Tumbes – Centro Cívico Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sun 9:00 am - 1:00 pm iperutumbes@promperu.gob.pe

www.peru.travel www.ytuqueplanes.com Opening hours and telephones are subject to variation by each tourist a raction.

Confirm times and phones with IPERÚ.

A publication by the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board - PROMPERU Calle Uno Oeste N° 50, piso 14, urb. Córpac, San Isidro, Lima - Perú Telephone: (51-1) 616-7300 www.promperu.gob.pe © PROMPERÚ. All rights reserved.

Hecho el Depósito Legal en la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú N° 2018-19499 Imprenta: Cadillo Editorial Imprenta S.R.L. (Av. Las Torres No. 397, Urb. Los Sauces, Ate Vitarte-Lima) Lima, diciembre de 2018

The information in this brochure was updated in November 2018.

In developing it, PROMPERU has used official information sources and the Tumbes Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

FREE DISTRIBUTION. NOT FOR SALE.