Tumbes (150.000 inhabitants). In the Plaza de armas outstands Concha Acustica, with historical motives of the oppression by the spaniards, and the monument to the Peruvian-Ecuadorian integration. Around the square is The Cathedral of San Nicolás of Tolentino whose major altar is carved in wood with baroque applications and the Benavides Levee (which crosses the river Tumbes).
Touristic Lookout and Palo Santo Private Natural Area
It is a lookout constructed on the highest hill of the city, at only five minutes by car. From here it is possible to observe good part of the geography of the zone. The lookout is inside a Private Natural Area called Palo Santo, with forests composed by typical species of the region as carobs, holy stick, hualtacos and charanes. The place is habitat of more than 30 species of birds, many of them endemic of the tumbesina region, and diverse footpaths have been created to be able to observe the flora and the fauna of the region. It can be visited the whole year.
Los Manglares
At about 13 km of the city of Tumbes (15 minutes by car).
The fishermen's cove of Puerto Pizarro is the starting point to visit the swamps by boat,
The Swamps of Tumbes settled on March 2, 1988, by Supreme Decree Nº 018-88-AG. Its importance is due to the fact that it is the only representative sample of forests of swamps in Peru. It is located in the department of Tumbes, province of Zarumilla. It has an extension of 2.972 hectares.
This ecosystem is one of the most productive ones because it has a value added production and multiple among direct, indirect and intangible products. It provides firewood, stakes and props. This zone is also a refuge of wild fauna, principally in dry season, and place of reproduction of many species of crustaceans, birds, fish and mammals.
The swamps of Tumbes constitute a natural barrier against the erosion that produce the waves and tides. It is a slightly known natural area, which propitiates the scientific investigation and offers favorable conditions to the development of educational, touristic and recreative activities.
As for the aquatic fauna, 33 species of snails exist, 34 of crustaceans, 24 of molluscs with conches and 105 fish that are resources that the handmade fishermen extract to feed the local population. These swamps are also a refuge for the crocodile of Tumbes (Crocodylus acutus), specie that is in danger of extinction.
Puerto Pizarro Beach
13 km north of Tumbes (15 min. by car). It has the islands of the Amor, Hueso de Ballena and Los Pajaros, here it is possible to rent boats for small jaunts, you can also know the breeding ground of crocodiles.
Zorritos Beach
Placed 28 km south of Tumbes (30 min. by car). This small port where light crafts come is ideal to do a stop in the way. Here you can rest in some rustic hotels of the zone and enjoy the scenery.
Punta Sal Beach
Placed 84 km south of Tumbes (15 min. by car). It is considered to be the best zone of beach because of its white and clean sand and its ideal sea for the practice of nautical sports. Punta Sal is a small spa in Tumbes (km 1.187) covered of splashed hillocks with trees of carob, that raises opposite to a semicircular beach that offers a warm and cozy paradise.
