The Plaza de Armas de Zarumilla is in the city center, opposite the parish church of Perpetuo Socorro. The official MINCETUR inventory dated September 14, 2022, records this location and notes an obelisk in the plaza commemorating the Battle of Zarumilla, as well as busts depicting the heroes of the 1941 war. These two memorial references give the central plaza a clear historical focus.
Plaza, Church and Commemorative Dates
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro is also part of the city’s cultural landscape: the official municipal plan for 2024–2027 lists it among Zarumilla’s attractions. According to the MINCETUR inventory, an annual civic commemoration of the Battle of Zarumilla takes place in the plaza on July 23. The following day, July 24, an anniversary celebration of the battle is held each year.
For this celebration, an official entry dated September 20, 2022, mentions a flag procession through the plaza and a civil-military parade honoring the fallen heroes and martyrs. The two consecutive dates therefore have different focuses: a civic commemoration on July 23, and a celebration with parade elements on July 24. The annual program may change. If you plan your trip around the commemorative dates, check the current schedule in advance.
Routes in the Nearby Mangrove Sanctuary
In the vicinity of Zarumilla is the Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes, recognized as Ramsar Wetland of International Importance No. 883 since January 20, 1997. The tourism and recreation use zone covers 140.819 hectares. It 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. This adds a distinct natural attraction in the surrounding area to the city’s memorial site.
Within the protected area, the traditional route runs from the Puerto 25 dock or the El Algarrobo control post along Estero Zarumilla to the El Gallegos Trail. A specialized birdwatching route runs from Puerto 25 or El Algarrobo via Isla Matapalo to Punta Capones. The main factor in choosing between them is the destination: El Gallegos on the traditional route, and Punta Capones on the birdwatching route. Route conditions and operations may change; check the latest guidance before your visit.
Getting There and Choosing Accommodation
For the journey from the bus terminal in the city of Tumbes to Avenida 28 de Julio in Zarumilla, the official tourism inventory dated September 14, 2022, gives a distance of 23 km and a travel time of 15 minutes on a paved road. Road conditions and travel times may change, so use this as a guide and check current traffic conditions. SERNANP gives the overland journey from Zarumilla to the Puerto 25 control post as 5 km and 10 minutes. Access information may also be updated.
If you are looking for hotels in Zarumilla, first compare the two possible focuses for your stay: the plaza and its commemorative dates, and the routes in the nearby mangrove sanctuary. The first option is tied to the two July dates; for the second, the relevant route starting points and current access guidance are important.
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