TOURIST INFORMATION
TUMBES |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Tumbes is situated on the extreme northern
coast of Peru.
Area:
4 669,20 km2
Capital:
Tumbes
Altitude:
6 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 24º C ( 38º C maximum,
19º C minimum). Rainy season runs from December through
March. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
Lima-Tumbes (1 276 km) along the North Pan-American Highway,
approximately 18 h by car.
By
air: Flights from Lima (about 1 ½ h). |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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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. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF TUMBES |
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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. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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| 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. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| Las Cumananas: Verses, songs and guitar
quartet inspired by love, divine feelings, death and insult. |
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| HANDICRAFTS |
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| 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. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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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:
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Cebiche de conchas negras (Scallops
obtained from the mangrove swamps, marinated in
lime, onions and hot chili peppers). |
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Ají de langostinos (Spicy prawns cooked
in a grated bread and hot chili pepper sauce). |
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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.
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| FESTIVITIES |
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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. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Pedro Canga Rodriguez.
Av. Panamericana Norte km 1 276.
Phone: (074) 52-5102.
Land
Transport
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
Jamo Hospital
Calle 24 de Julio 565, Tumbes.
Phone: (074) 52-4775.
24 hour service
Puerto Pizarro Health Post
Calle José Olaya s/n.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Zorritos Medical Post
Prolongación Grau s/n.
Phone: (074) 54-4158.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Police
Stations
San José District Police
Corner of Av. Mayor Novoa and calle Zarumilla.
Phone: (074) 52-2525.
24 hour service
Tablazo Police Station
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, Sunday 8:00-15:00. |
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