Province of Tumbes: Nature, Archaeology and Views

The Province of Tumbes offers a range of reasons to visit: nature watching, archaeological heritage and places along the Río Tumbes. In the Angostura Faical protected area, the focus is on flora, fauna and landscape; at Malecón Tercer Milenio, the viewpoint is a place to watch the sunset. Cabeza de Vaca, in turn, brings together an archaeological site, the Qhapaq Ñan and a sea route. You can choose the themes you want to shape your stay.

Nature and Views

The Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape extends into the Province of Tumbes. Another protected area is the Área de Conservación Regional Angostura Faical, which in the province encompasses the districts of Pampas de Hospital and San Juan de la Virgen. These two protected areas offer different reference points for planning your trip.

The Mirador Natural Turístico de Ceibal is located in the Ceibal sector of the Área de Conservación Regional Angostura Faical. Visitors can observe flora, fauna and the landscape, take nature photographs, go hiking and engage in environmental interpretation. These activities range from attentive observation to exploring the landscape on foot; choose what you would most like to experience there.

The Malecón Tercer Milenio offers a different view of the surrounding area. Its elevated viewpoint looks out over the banks and valley of the Río Tumbes and is used for watching the sunset. You can plan a stop at the viewpoint separately from your nature watching in Ceibal.

Archaeology and Places in Tumbes

The Zona Arqueológica Monumental Cabeza De Vaca is located in Corrales, in the Province of Tumbes. Its strategic position on the Qhapaq Ñan and the coastal section of the Inca road, along with its connection to the sea route for Spondylus, gives the site both a land-based and a maritime perspective. When visiting Cabeza de Vaca, you can consider guided tours of the Museo de Sitio, the Qhapaq Ñan area and the Huaca del Sol, as well as virtual visits. Check the current availability of these offerings before your visit.

The plazas offer their own distinctive features. Plaza Mayor de Tumbes has a 15-meter-high concha acústica, the Encuentro de dos mundos mosaic and a sculpture of cacique Chilimasa. A flag-raising ceremony accompanied by a civilian parade takes place there on Sundays. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the latest schedule information.

Plazuela El Beso is located at the beginning of Malecón Tercer Milenio, on the Río Tumbes. Its sculpture depicts a couple kissing, their bodies forming a heart. A route description dated September 16, 2022, gives the distance between the Plazuela and Plaza Mayor de Tumbes as 350 meters, or a seven-minute walk. Use this as a guide and check the route before setting out.

The Wider Tumbes Destination

The wider Tumbes destination also features mangroves, protected areas and regional cuisine. In 2022, the knowledge, know-how and practices involved in harvesting black mangrove clams and red mangrove crabs from the mangroves of Tumbes were declared National Cultural Heritage. Cebiche de conchas negras is also one of the coastal region’s well-known culinary specialties; it is made with black mangrove clams from the mangroves of Tumbes.

The Ruta Tradicional in the Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes offers opportunities for birdwatching. The Ruta Especializada runs from the Embarcadero de Puerto 25 or Puesto de Control El Algarrobo via Isla Matapalo to Punta Capones; it also includes a demonstration of how hydrobiological resources are harvested. The road journey from Zarumilla to the Puerto 25 control post is five kilometers and takes ten minutes. Check the latest route information before planning your visit.

The Reserva Nacional de Tumbes, part of the Reserva de Biosfera del Noroeste, offers another regional perspective. Together with the mangrove routes and culinary practices passed down through generations, this broader context shows the diversity of nature and culture in the Tumbes destination. When choosing where to go, you can distinguish between the attractions and views of the Province of Tumbes and the wider nature and cultural offerings of Tumbes.

Discover more destinations: Cruz de Pizarro, Tumbes, Province of Contralmirante Villar, Zorritos.

Back to the main travel overview: Tumbes.