Tumbes,
TUMBES
Location,
extension and population
| Brief historic
overview |
Main attractions |
Typical dishes and beverages |
Tourist calendar  LOCATION,
EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of Tumbes is located in the extreme north western
part of the country. It limits to the north and west with
the Pacific Ocean, to the south with Piura and to the east
with Ecuador. Nature in this territory is gorgeous and capricious,
such as, the manglares or mangrove trees, which are
a formidable spectacle. Due to its geographic location, so
close to the equatorial line, Tumbes has a hot and humid weather
all year round, with the average temperature being 30ºC
(86ºF), rising to over 40ºC (104ºF). From December
through March rains are strong and frequent, but the heat
stays.
It has an extension of 4,732
km² (1827 sq ml) and a population of almost 150,000 people.
The capital is Tumbes,
a city with beautiful beaches and natural landscapes that
fascinate visitors.
 BRIEF
HISTORIC OVERVIEW
Tumbes was a populated region
well before the Inca empire. The first settlers were fishers
and hunters. Most recent cultures that lived there have left
evidence of the refinement in their ceramics, and huacas
or ruins that still stand today.
The Inca empire extended its
domains up to Tumbes when Inca Pachacutec was ruling. He introduced
a new way of organizing the empire, but the task of integrating
these people to the empire continued with Inca Túpac
Yupanqui. He gave great importance to this region by making
it a support point in the conquest of the Cañaris.
The adventure of the conquest
of Perú by the Spanish starts in Tumbes. After overcoming
countless difficulties, the conquerors were able to land in
this fabulous empire of which they had heard many legends.
Undoubtedly, the thought of such a rich empire had instilled
in their spirit an unwavering will to go on. With the information
gathered, the conquerors set off to the rest of the empire,
founding cities and overpowering their people.
During Colonial times, Tumbes
was no more than a crossing point where soldiers and adventurers
stopped momentarily to restock themselves, and continue traveling.
Tumbes, however, gains permanent
presence during the Republic, because by limiting with Ecuador,
it is necessarily involved in the unjustifiable territorial
demands of this country.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS
Los Manglares.
A forest of mangrove trees that grows and develops in
a transit area between land and sea. It comprises a small
area at the left margin of the Tumbes river and a bigger area
at the right margin of the same river up to the Capones International
Canal. It is a natural beauty with labyrinths, inlets, and
a refuge and food source for a numerous species of crustaceans,
mollusks, fishes, and a varied bird fauna.
Plaza de Armas or Main Square.
Although the plaza has a modern cut, it is surrounded
by old houses that keep their Colonial influence.
 Plaza
Bolognesi. Built in honor of the hero of the Battle
of Arica (Pacific War), Colonel Francisco Bolognesi.
Plaza Alipio Rosales.
Built in memorial of the Tumbesinos who offered their
lives during the conflict with Ecuador in 1941.
Zarumilla. Calm scenario
of the 1941 Glorious Campaign. The pampas of Zarumilla
were the site of the combats against Ecuador in making the
Peruvian nationality prevail in this department.
Aguas Verdes is a frontier
location of great commercial activity. This town connects
with the city of Huaquillas in Ecuador through a bridge.
Puerto Pizarro. A
beautiful port with white sand beaches, and a place to enjoy
a variety of dishes based sea food.
Malecón Benavides.
A belvedere built on a main road bordering the river.
The perfect site for a beautiful sunset.
Zorritos. Capital of the
province of Contralmirante Villar where the first oil well
was perforated in 1860. It has a beautiful landscape and inviting
beaches.
Tumpis Fortress. At 5
km (3.1 ml) from the city of Tumbes, it is an archeological
monument similar to the Paramonga fortress in the department
of Ancash.
Caleta de Cruz Pizarro.
Cove where Francisco Pizarro started the conquest of Perú.
It has a replica of the Cross set up by him in 1532.
TYPICAL
DISHES AND BEVERAGES
The typical dishes of the Tumbesino
cuisine are based on seafood, preferably black scallops, crabs,
shrimps, and bananas known as plátanos dominicos.
Among the most well-known dishes
are, the cebiche of black scallops, which come from the Manglares,
and banana balls broth with dominicos, meat, red peppers,
eggs, olives, raisins, flour, coriander and other herbs.
Other specialties include, the
shrimp omelet, chupe de cangrejos, cebiche mixto,
and the crab pulp omelet.
A typical beverage in the department
is the chinguirito, which is obtained by combining
pipa (the milk of a soft coconut) with aguardiente.
TOURIST
CALENDAR
January 1. New
Year's Eve. This celebration started in 1907 in the locality
of Bellavista.
January 7. Anniversary
of Tumbes. On the eve, a serenade is set up. The whole
city participates in an exhibition of fireworks.
June 24. Anniversary
of the Battle of Zarumilla.
June 28 and 29. Fiesta
de San Pedro and San Pablo takes place in the beaches
of Puerto Pizarro and La Cruz.
September 1 through 5. Fiesta
de la Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro celebrated with a fair
in Zarumilla.
September 21 through 27. Tumbes
Tourist Week. During this week, various activities
are scheduled with the participation of local authorities
and the city as a whole.
December 1 through 15. Feria
de Integración Peruano-Ecuatoriana in honor of
the Virgen Inmaculada.
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