Piura and Tumbes

 

Beaches, nature and wildlife 

The sun always seems to shine in northern Peru. Among the main attractions of the regions of Piura and Tumbes are, without a doubt, the splendid coast and the Pacific Ocean. The department of Piura offers a varied geography. The Sechura desert is the largest in Peru, while excellent beaches like Mancora are an irresistible attraction for beach lovers and surfers. For their part, the highlands of Huacabamba offer lush vegetation and the mysteries of local shamanic rituals. With its extraordinary biological diversity, more than 30% of the territory of the Tumbes region has been declared a state protected natural area. In this fascinatingly diverse part of Peru, warm temperatures can be enjoyed all year round on gleaming beaches and in forests inhabited by ocelots and howler monkeys.

Hotels

Temperatures 

Max 35ºC / 95°F

Min 16ºC / 60.8°F

Useful tips:

  • There are regular flights from Lima to Piura (1 hour and 25 minutes) and from Lima to Tumbes (1 hour and 40 minutes). Via the Pan-American Highway, Piura can be reached from Lima in approximately 15 hours, while the road journey from Lima to Tumbes takes around 20 hours.
  • The town of Catacaos is known as «the native heart of Piura». It is located just 15 minutes from the city of Piura. This is a paradise for those who love handcrafts; fine straw hats are sold in the traditional local shops, as well as gold and silver filigree work and the famous «fat» ceramics from the town of Chulucanas.
  • At the seaside resort of Punta Sal the waters are warm and clear, the lobsters are delicious and there is charming accommodation available on the shores of the Pacific. Punta Sal is an excellent location for practicing water sports such as windsurfing and diving.
  • Cerros de Amotape National Park, an hour from the city, is a refuge for spectacled bears, otters, white-tailed deer and typical Amazon species such as ocelots and peccaries.
  • Tumbes Mangroves National Sanctuary, just half an hour from the city, covers an area of 7 344 acres / 2 972 hectares. The mangroves are a remarkable coastal forest system, thriving where the river meets the sea.