Tumbes Travel Guide
Travel to Tumbes - Mangroves forests and pristine beaches
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The coast of Northern Peru varies from beautiful beaches to bio-diverse mangrove forests. More than 30% of the small northernmost region of Peru is made up of protected natural areas.
Completely out of reach of the Humboldt Current that keeps the rest of the Peruvian coast cool and dry, Tumbes is a humid tropical environment. Here, you may have no choice but to visit great beaches such as Punta Sal and Zorritos to cool off.
It's this tropical weather more akin to Ecuador, just kilometres away, which maintains a level of biodiversity unparalleled on the country's coast – many uniquely Peruvian and endangered species are found here.
Carrying the name of the conquistador who brought the Inca empire to its knees, Puerto Pizarro was where he first set foot on what is modern-day Peru. The cove, popular with fishermen, also has boats offering tours into the extensive mangrove forests that dominate the area from Tumbes through to Ecuador.
The mangroves are a refuge for many bird species and Bird Island, one of many sediment islands in the mangroves of the Tumbes River delta, is particularly popular among birdwatchers. The American Crocodile, a species unique to Peru is also found here, as are seals.
Further south along the coast, towards Piura, are where the best beaches in Tumbes are found. Far away from the cold Humboldt Current that keeps the rest of the Peruvian coast cool, the water here never drops below 20°c and has averages around 25°c.
Punta Sal with its warm waters and white sands is one of the most popular beaches and is only a short distance from Piura's Máncora resort. Zorritos is closer to the city of Tumbes, where the water is even warmer, and is popular destination for water sports.
Attractions in Tumbes
Beach Resorts – Beautiful white sandy beaches, great surf, other water sports and inviting warm water make Punta Sal and Zorritos two of Peru's best resorts.
Mangroves – A refuge for many species of birds and rare creatures such as the American crocodile, these expansive mangroves forests can be explored for hours by boat.
Activities in Tumbes
Surf in warm waters of Tumbes's Punta Sal and Zorritos resorts
Relaxing
Relax on the beaches of Punta Sal, considered the best in Peru.
Getting Around
Tumbes is served by the Panamerican highway that runs along its length.
Local buses are available but spares.
Shared taxis called colectivos are the preferred transport for locals.
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