24º C (38º C maximum and 19º C minimum). Rainy season:
December to March.
Access Routes
By land
Lima-Tumbes (1 270 km) along the North Pan-American
Highway, approximately 18 h by car.
By air
Flights from Lima (about 1 ½ h).
Historical Overview
Large groups of farmers, hunters and traders settled in
this region during the pre-Hispanic period. One of these
was the Tumpis culture, considered to be the greatest
navigators on the Peruvian coast.
Outstanding for their carvings on mollusk shells of the
Spondyillus Pictorum species, "pata de burro" (Concholapas
Peruviana) and other mollusks. During Inca times,
particularly during the reign of Pachacutec, the Incas
expanded their sphere of influence to Tumbes.
The first port of call for the Spanish conquerors under
the command of Francisco Pizarro (1 532), after
overcoming an endless number of problems, was Puerto La
Leña - Estero La Chepa in Tumbes. They had to fight
against the Tumpis in the Battle of the Mangrove Swamps.
According to some writers, Francisco Pizarro placed a
cross in this area before his departure, as a symbol of
Christianity, hence the current name, Caleta La Cruz. On
January 7th 1 821, the Independence of Tumbes was
proclaimed.
Tumbes has a great potential for development, given its
beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine and sea breeze,
in addition to the beautiful mangrove swamps.
Outskirts of the City
Puerto Pizarro Beach
Situated 13 km north of Tumbes, 15 minutes by car, where
small boats can be rented for excursions around the
isles of Amor, Hueso de Ballena and Los Pajaros, as well
as to a crocodile farm.
Zorritos Beach Located 28 km south of Tumbes, 30 minutes by car. It
is a small port suitable for small vessels.
Punta Sal Beach Situated 84 km south of Tumbes, 1 h and 15 minutes
by car. This is considered the best beach area, given
the clean white sand and the ideal ocean for water
sports.
National Mangrove Sanctuary The Tumbes National Mangrove Sanctuary is situated 7
km from Zarumilla, 45 minutes by truck. Its plant
formations in the shape of large water forests that form
swamps, create an attractive, paradise-like setting (restricted
access).
Hervideros Termal Baths 40 k from Tumbes, 45 minutes by car, are pools of
constantly boiling medicinal water charged with iodized
salts. Situated 5 k. from Bocapan, south of Zorritos, in
the area named Hervideros.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
Playa Hermosa, Playa Puerto Loco, Playa Santa Rosa, Rica
Playa and Playa Bocapán, among other beaches. Also, the
archaeological ruins of Cuchareta, Guineral, Rica Playa,
among others.
Folkore
Las Cumananas: Verses, songs and guitar quartet inspired
by love, divine feelings, death and insult.
Handicrafts
A wide range of ornaments such as shell curtains,
earrings, necklaces, etc. are on sale in the fishing
ports of Puerto Pizarro, Punta Mero, Punta Sal and
Cancas.
Gastronomy
Typical dishes are based on seafood like black scallops,
crabs, oysters, lobsters and prawns, and fish like
corvina, sea-bass, flounder and swordfish, such as: - Cebiche de conchas negras (Scallops obtained
from the mangrove swamps, marinated in lime, onions and
hot chili peppers). - Ají de langostinos (Spicy prawns cooked in a
grated bread and hot chili pepper sauce). - Majarisco (Mashed banana with a seafood sauce).
Chinguinito is the local beverage..
Typical desserts are antecoco (coconut), antepapaya (paw-paw)
and a red current sweet.
Festivities
Tumbes Tourism Week (October)
Representative tourist and cultural promotion activities,
with the participation of public and private sectors.
Perú - Ecuador Integration Fair (December) Cultural activities, artistic shows, displays of
handicrafts and industrial products from both countries,
among other events.
Services
Airports
Pedro Canga Rodríguez.
Av. Panamericana Norte km. 1 276.
Phone: (074) 52-5102.
Transport By land
Although there are no bus terminals, most transport
companies line up on Av. Tumbes, blocks 1 to 4.
Service: Monday to Sunday, 7:00-19:00.
Health Centers
Hospital de Apoyo Jamo.
Calle 24 de Julio 565, Tumbes.
Phone: (074) 52-4775.
24 hour service
Puesto de Salud Puerto Pizarro.
Calle José Olaya s/n.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Posta Médica Zorritos.
Prolongación Grau s/n.
Phone: (074) 54-4158.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Police Stations
Comisaría del Barrio San José.
Corner of Av. Mayor Novoa y calle Zarumilla s/n.
Phone: (074) 52-2525.
24 hour service
Comisaría el Tablazo.
Calle Hilario Carrasco 515.
Phone: (074) 52-4823.
24 hour service
Post Office
Calle San Martín 208.
Phone: (074) 52-3868 / 52-3866.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:15, D 8:00-15:00.
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Calle Francisco Bolognesi 194.
Centro Cívico 2do piso. Of. 204, Plaza Principal.
Tumbes.
Phone: (074) 52-3699.
Phone/fax: (074) 52-4940.
E-mail:
tumbes@mitinci.gob.pe
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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