Tumbes
In Tumbes, summer is eternal, and the surroundings resemble Paradise. The fact it lies so close to the Equator has determined the landscape, which teems in plantlife. Its history dates back centuries, when the Tumpis, a tribe who were excellent sailors, settled in the far northwest of Peru. These were the first natives discovered by the Spaniards in 1532.
The superb beaches of Tumbes and its warm sea are ideal for surfing and underwater fishing. The beach of Punta Sal is considered one of the finest on the Peruvian coast for its pure white sands and a sea ideal for water sports. North of the city of Tumbes lies Puerto Pizarro, the gateway to the National Mangroves Sanctuary. The mangroves have formed vast clumps of water-borne forests which have created a unique eco-system linking the river and the sea. The mangroves are the breeding grounds for black scallops, which are served up in Tumbes' most famous dish, the cebiche de conchas negras. Other mouth-watering local recipes include ajà de langostinos (spicy shrimp strew) and majarisco (plantain served in a shellfish sauce).
South of Tumbes lies Zorritos, the town which received its name from workers involved in drilling the first oilwell in the area, back in 1863. Not far from Zorritos lies the Bocapán beach, where visitors can swim in Hervideros, natural hot springs bubbling with iodized salts.
A good time to visit Tumbes is in October, when visitors can take part in the local Tourism Week and enjoy the beaches, the local cooking and above all the warm hospitality of its people.
SANCTUARIES & PARKSÂ
Tumbes Mangroves
CategorÃa:Â Santuario Nacional.
Base Legal: D.S.Nº018-88-AG.
Fecha de Creación: 2 de marzo de 1988.
Ubicación PolÃtica: Departamento de Tumbes.
Extensión: 2972.00 hectáreas.
Located on the far northwest Peruvian coast, covering an area of 2,972 hectares, the Tumbes mangroves are the borderline for many species of flora and fauna associated with this kind of eco-system.
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The natural sanctuary protects the country's largest mangroves, and is a haven for the many varied animal species that feed off them. Particularly striking are the invertebrates, featuring an enormous variety of mollusks, including black scallops, 34 species of crustaceans, 33 types of snails and more than a hundred fish species. The sanctuary is also a key breeding ground for commercial marine species such as shrimp. Migratory and resident bird species, as well as the endangered black American alligator, a unique species, and the anteater, are just a few of the more interesting inhabitants of the area. Cerros de AmotapeÂ
CategorÃa:Â Parque Nacional.
Base Legal: D.S.Nº0800-75-AG.
Fecha de Creación: 22 de julio de 1975.
Ubicación PolÃtica: Departamentos de Tumbes y  Piura.
Extensión: 91 300.00 hectáreas.
Located in the departments of Piura and Tumbes over a land surface of 91 300 hectares of Equatorial dry forests, the Cerros de Amotape, or Amotape Hills, provide shelter to a wide and unique collection of plant and animal wildlife. It was created in 1 975 to protect the vast forests of the Amotape Cordillera and the neighboring valleys, subject to intense lumbering activity due to the valuable hard woods that grow there like hualtaco and guayacán.
The American crocodile and the northeastern otter are some of the animals that find shelter in this ecosystem. Both are endangered species on the verge of extinction. Other residents of the dry forest are the Tumbes howler monkey, white-tailed deer, ocelots and more than 100 bird species, many of which are endemic, like the white-winged guan and the northern magpie. Â
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BEACHES IN TUMBES
Zorritos
If you're looking for creature comforts in Tumbes, near the town of Zorritos lies Punta Camarón, at Km 1,233 of the North Pan-American Highway, where coconut palms hide a set of bungalows with a swimming pool and a restaurant, while the sea is ideal for watersports. One can also stroll along the beach to the nearby town of Bocapán, home to the Hervideros hot springs.
Punta Sal
For many the finest spot along Peru's north coast, with sun and tranquillity guaranteed year-round. Punta Sal is a small beach resort in the department of Tumbes (Km 1,187) fringed by sand dunes and groves of carob trees, and facing a semi-circular beach lapped by warm water and gentle waves which make for a welcoming paradise.
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Source: Prom PeruÂ
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Tours in Tumbes
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Northern Beaches of Peru: Tumbes - Zorritos PRUEBA (US$ 500.00)
Includes: Mancora, Piura, Tumbes, Zorritos,
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