Zarumilla: Plaza, Commemorative Days and Mangrove Routes

In Zarumilla, the Plaza de Armas is a central point of reference; the Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes is nearby. When searching for a hotel in Zarumilla, you can plan your trip around whether the central memorial site, the commemorative days in July, or a route through the mangrove area is your priority. The following information links these interests to the respective places, dates, and routes.

Plaza de Armas and Attractions

The Plaza de Armas de Zarumilla is in the city center, opposite the parish church of Perpetuo Socorro. An obelisk commemorating the Battle of Zarumilla stands in the plaza. There are also busts depicting the heroes of the 1941 war. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro is also listed as an attraction in the city's official 2024–2027 plan. The plaza, obelisk, busts, and church thus offer different points of interest if you are interested in Zarumilla's urban and historical character.

Commemorative Days in July

The annual commemorations take place on two consecutive dates, each with a different focus. On July 23, a civic ceremony commemorating the Battle of Zarumilla is held in the plaza. July 24 is the anniversary of the battle, which is marked by an annual festival. An official 2022 festival description mentions a flag procession through the plaza and a civil-military parade honoring the fallen heroes and martyrs. The current program may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around the festivities, check the event dates and current program in advance.

Nearby Mangrove Area

The Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes has been recognized as Ramsar Wetland of International Importance No. 883 since January 20, 1997. Its tourist and recreational use zone covers 140.819 hectares. The described area extends from Estero Zarumilla, at the level of Estero Camarones, via Estero Matapalo to Estero La Envidia, at the level of the El Palmal sector. Alongside the central plaza, this offers a distinct natural area nearby as a travel interest.

A traditional route in the protected area runs from the Puerto 25 landing or the El Algarrobo control post via Estero Zarumilla to Sendero El Gallegos. The specialized birdwatching route runs from Puerto 25 or the El Algarrobo control post via Isla Matapalo to Punta Capones. If birdwatching is your priority, this specialized route is the designated option; Sendero El Gallegos is listed as the destination of the traditional route. Route conditions may vary. Therefore, check the current situation before setting out.

Getting There and Route Information

Two route details for different destinations should be distinguished when planning your trip. The official tourism inventory dated September 14, 2022, gives the distance from the Tumbes city bus station to Avenida 28 de Julio in Zarumilla as 23 km, with a travel time of 15 minutes on a paved road. Road conditions and travel times may change.

The SERNANP website gives the overland route from Zarumilla to the Puerto 25 control post as 5 km, with a travel time of 10 minutes; access information may be revised. The information refers to different routes and endpoints. Plan them separately and check the relevant conditions before departure.

Discover more destinations: La Bocana, Cancas, Caleta Cruz, Canoas, Bocapán, Cardalito.

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