The Province of Tumbes offers a variety of experiences for different travel interests: protected areas and nature watching, archaeological connections to the Qhapaq Ñan, and notable places along the Río Tumbes.
Protected Areas and Nature Watching
Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape extends into the Province of Tumbes. Área de Conservación Regional Angostura Faical includes the districts of Pampas de Hospital and San Juan de la Virgen in the Province of Tumbes. The Mirador Natural Turístico de Ceibal is located in the Ceibal sector of this Área.
At the viewpoint, you can observe flora, fauna and landscapes, take nature photographs, go hiking and learn about the environment. You can choose between close observation of nature, photography, hiking and environmental interpretation. Ceibal thus offers several ways to engage with nature at a named viewpoint.
Archaeological Connections Along the Route
The Zona Arqueológica Monumental Cabeza De Vaca is located in Corrales, Province of Tumbes. Its strategic position on the Qhapaq Ñan and the coastal section of the Inca road places it within the history of this land route; the site is also connected to the sea route for Spondylus. This place offers a different focus from nature watching in the Ceibal sector: here, the archaeological site and the connection between land and sea routes take center stage.
At the Cabeza De Vaca site, guided tours are offered of the Museo de Sitio, the Qhapaq Ñan area and the Huaca del Sol, as well as virtual visits. Check which of these options are available on your visit date.
Places Along the Río Tumbes
Malecón Tercer Milenio has a raised viewpoint overlooking the banks and valley of the Río Tumbes and is a popular spot for watching the sunset. At the start of the malecón is Plazuela El Beso, on the Río Tumbes. Its sculpture depicts a kissing couple whose bodies form a heart.
Plaza Mayor de Tumbes has its own distinctive features: 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. A route guide dated September 16, 2022, gives the walking distance between Plazuela El Beso and Plaza Mayor de Tumbes as 350 meters and seven minutes. Use this information as a guide and check the route for your visit.
More Topics in the Wider Tumbes Destination
The following nature and culture topics are part of the wider Tumbes destination. In 2022, the knowledge, skills and practices involved in harvesting black mangrove cockles and red mangrove crabs from the Tumbes mangroves were declared National Cultural Heritage. Cebiche de conchas negras is also one of the coastal region’s well-known culinary specialties and is made with black mangrove cockles from the Tumbes mangroves.
At Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes, Ruta Tradicional offers opportunities for birdwatching. Ruta Especializada runs from Embarcadero de Puerto 25 or Puesto de Control El Algarrobo via Isla Matapalo to Punta Capones; it also includes a demonstration of the harvesting of hydrobiological resources. The routes have different focuses: birdwatching on Ruta Tradicional, and a longer sequence of named stops along with a demonstration on Ruta Especializada. The road journey from Zarumilla to the Puerto 25 control post is 5 kilometers and takes 10 minutes.
The main access point to Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape is in the Rica Playa sector, where the trails combine nature, adventure and relaxation. At Bocana Carrillo, you can travel along the Río Tumbes, fish for recreation and go canoeing. Rica Playa also has areas suitable for camping. Reserva Nacional de Tumbes is part of Reserva de Biosfera del Noroeste.
Discover more destinations: Cruz de Pizarro, Zorritos, Tumbes, Province of Contralmirante Villar.
Return to the main travel overview: Tumbes.
