TUMBES

GENERAL DATA

Location: The department of Tumbes is situated on the extreme northern coast of Peru.
Area: 4 669 km2
Capital: Tumbes (7 masl)
Altitude: 5 masl (Aguas Verdes) Lowest town.
134 masl (Cañaveral) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 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.

FOLKLORE

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.