The Northern Beaches of Peru

Northern Beaches of Tumbes and Piura

BEACHES OF TUMBES

Punta Sal, Zorritos and Puerto Pizarro are the most required beaches by tourists in Tumbes. Beaches of white sand and warm (26°C. average), with almost guaranteed sun all year round, each offering different alternatives, one for game fishing, spear fishing, whale watching, other ideal for relax and rest.

Beachfront hotels and bungalows for rent on these beaches and how to reach them. Since these beaches is easy access to any areas of protected natural areas. Other beaches of Tumbes are Cancas, Punta Mero, Bocapán, Playa Hermosa and Jelí.


BEACHES OF PIURA

Cabo Blanco, Ñuro, Punta Veleros, Los Órganos, Vichayito, Pocitas and Máncora, are just some of the beaches on the coast of Piura, located north of Talara (120 Km from Piura), with guaranteed sunshine almost all year, and each offer different options, some for big-game fishing, whale watching, other ideal for surfing and katesurfing, for relaxation and rest. Hotels and bungalows for rent on these beaches and how to reach them. Since these beaches is easy access to Cerros de Amotape National Park.


HOTELS IN NORTHERN BEACHES

Northern Beaches of Tumbes

Puerto Pizarro

Located 13 Km / 8 miles north of the Tumbes City (15 minutes by car), accommodations and restaurants is available, rent boats, kayaks and jet skis. There are regular transportation between Puerto Pizarro and Tumbes city. The fishermen’s cove of Puerto Pizarro is one of the starting points for visiting the mangrove swamps in the Mangroves of Tumbes National Sanctuary and navigate the Tumbes River delta. Off the coast of Puerto Pizarro lie the islands Isla del Amor (Island of Love) has lunch restaurants and attractive swimming beaches and island Hueso de Ballena (whale bone), with excellent beaches, also there is the island Isla de los Pájaros (Birds Island) - not landed on, which is the refuge of a great variety of birds and is an ideal spot for bird watching, especially at sunset, when huge flocks of seabirds return to roost for the night. Puerto Pizarro is also famous for their black shells and crabs, prized for its taste and aphrodisiac qualities and offers a varied and exquisite seafood. Another attraction of Puerto Pizarro is the also well known breeding center of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), a species unique to Peru but unfortunately endangered.

Zorritos

Capital of the province of Contralmirante Villar, located 28 Km / 17 miles southwest of the Tumbes City (30 minutes by car). A beach with white, fine sand and permanent surf, ideal for motor-boating, surfing and fishing and for those seeking a quiet beach to relax. Warm waters with an average temperature of 26°C. Zorritos is the biggest fishing village along the coast of Tumbes. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century was a major center of oil production, the largest in South America. In the town of Zorritos can find the commercial area with basic services as drugstores, Internet services, shops, market, telephones, restaurants, bars and accommodation services. It has a great boardwalk and some hotels and restaurants are located in the beach ocean front. Zorritos is located near the Hervideros area. Interesting coastal birdlife.

Punta Sal and Canoas de Punta Sal

Located in the province of Contralmirante Villar, 80 Km / 50 miles southwest of the Tumbes City (1 hour and 15 minutes by bus) and 23 Km north of Máncora (20 minutes by car). It is one of the most beautiful and longest beaches of the north coast of the country, ending in the town of Cancas the north. It is characterized by its warm, tranquil waters (average temperature 24°C / 75°F). The beach is divided in two: the resort of Punta Sal Grande and Punta Sal Chica. The latter is an isolated, half-moon beach with white sand and protected by two small headlands. This spa has good hotels, accommodations and restaurants. Punta Sal and ideal for holidaymakers looking for sun, warmth and tranquility, it is also suitable for fishing, diving and between June and October for whale watching. Possibly the most heavenly beach on Peru’s north coast. The beach resort of Punta Sal or Punta Sal Grande, as it is known locally, is one of the most spell-binding beaches on the Peruvian coast, and enjoys peace and sunshine all year round. There is excellent fishing and diving to be found in its warm and clear waters. Seafood lovers will appreciate the local shrimp, lobsters and the finest fresh fish to be found up north. Access and services: the beach is reached via a 2 Km detour off the North Pan-American Highway at kilometer 1187. The area teems with beachfront hotels and restaurants that throb with activity during the summer season. Apt for all vehicles.

Another Beaches of Tumbes

El Bendito Beach: You reach this beach by North Pan-American Highway going along a dirt road from Zarumilla. Ranging from the height of the jump to the same height of the inlet. Very close to the beach is a town with the same name.

Jelí Beach: Province Tumbes. District Tumbes. It is located northwest of Puerto Pizarro, perhaps somewhat isolated because their access (15 minutes aprox.), is possible only through the waters of the estuaries. In the natural charms of its own flora and fauna of the estuaries are added the necessary conditions for water sports fishing, spearfishing.

Playa Hermosa: Province Tumbes. District Corrales. It is located approximately 14 Km south from the city of Tumbes, following a turn at the village of Gallina Pampas. It's a wide open ocean beach and calm waters. It extends from the mouth of the Tumbes River to the southern tip of Estero de Corrales. Presents small waves breaking at 40 to 50 m. the sea inside. It has a variety of species of fish and it is possible to practice all sorts of water sports.

La Cruz Beach: Located 16 Km south west of the city of Tumbes, very crowded because of its proximity and accessibility. Crescent shaped and the water is calm and shallow, a wide variety of fish. One of the most visited beaches in the summer by the locals, especially called kilometer 19. Caleta La Cruz is the historical place where he landed the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his forces in 1532 to begin the conquest of Peru. In its beaches placed a cross as a symbol of Christianity, which gave the name of the current inlet La Cruz. The true cross is now housed in the National Anthropology Archeology and History Museum in Lima.

Grau, Puerto Loco and Santa Rosa Beaches: Province Contralmirante Villar. District Zorritos. Located more than 20 Km from the city of Tumbes. La Playa Grau is a small beach with calm waters dimensional and shallow. Puerto Loco and Santa Rosa are beaches rich in marine life and ideal for practicing water sports and camping.

Los Pinos Beach: Province Contralmirante Villar. District Zorritos. Located 33 Km from the city of Tumbes. It is surrounded by a picturesque fishing cove. Suitable for water sports.

Bocapán Beach: Province Contralmirante Villar. District Zorritos. Located 37 Km from the city of Tumbes. In this corner of the coast, are characteristic of many small mounds of sand creek that exist in the area. Its waters are calm and are temporary downloads of the ravine Bocapán (in rainy season) is an ideal beach for swimming and practicing water sports, features tourist infrastructure. Very close to it, along a dirt road is located near hot springs.

Acapulco Beach: Province Contralmirante Villar. District Zorritos. It is a picturesque fishing village with a beautiful wide beach, quite rich in marine species such as squid, in prawns, etc.

Bonanza Beach: It is wide and sandy, and many areas characterized by rock. Here also you can fish and seafood extract, snails, oysters and prawns.

Punta Mero Beach: Province Contralmirante Villar. District Zorritos. It is a picturesque point of coastline with fine sandy sea inlets whose impact allows the formation of natural tunnels. His wealth is exploited by ichthyological people especially in the high production of oysters, lobsters and scallops.

Cancas Beach: Located 80 km from Tumbes. It is a fishing cove. The villagers are mostly engaged in fishing and making handicrafts with seashells. Its horseshoe-shaped beach and ideal for swimmers and for the practice some water sports.

Northern Beaches of Piura

Máncora

Located in northern side of Talara province, 187 Km (116 miles) north of the city of Piura (2 hours by car), the 1,164 kilometer of the North Pan-American Highway, 106 kilometers from the Tumbes City. With warm waters and fabulous sunshine, this bay is considered to be one of the best on the Peruvian coast, the Peruvian jet set beach. Among its highlights are the waves, which are perfect for surfing and body boarding. The beach, located between the Fernández and Cunulsa ravines, is spacious and wide, featuring little natural pools formed by the sea. For lovers of surfing, the sea is warm water with an average temperature between 28.2°C (83 °F) and 24.4°C (76°F), with the left reef break waves and pairs long, occasionally pipe (during El Niño). Suitable for beginners and intermediate level. National and international championships surfboard. In the area there are instructors and courses surfboard. Mancora Town (8,500 inhabitants) has accommodation facilities for all budgets, restaurants, shops to rent tables, crafts and clothing booths, Internet, ATM, laundry, medical services, market and shopping area. Horseback riding, ATV and bicycle rentals. The nightlife is very lively and fun, nightclubs and bars that operate until the wee hours of the morning. Prevails in the fine dining restaurants seafood. Máncora is ideal for surfing, bodyboard and katesurfing, for rest and relaxation and others for great fun.

Pocitas

This beach is located 2 miles south of Máncora, from the dock, and has 3 sections, north, center and south. Residential area is a quieter life and about Máncora, ideal for rest, relaxation and family travel. Its white sand beach has a length of 6 Km and has the characteristic that when the tide pools of water formed between the rocks used as swimming pools. For many is considered the most beautiful beach in northern Peru. This beach is well served by accommodation and hotels, with pools and palm trees. Connected with Máncora by unpaved road, motorcycle taxi service.

Vichayito

This beach is located 7 Km south of Máncora and 5 Km north of the Los Órganos beach, the 1,153 kilometer of the North Pan-American Highway, can be accessed by the deviation of the Pan-American or across the dirt road from Máncora - Pocitas. It's a very quiet area, ideal for rest, relaxation and family travel. Recommended for diving, underwater fishing and katesurfing between April and November by strong winds. It has accommodation, spa, beach and restaurants.

Los Órganos

Located 175 Km north of the city of Piura (2 hours by car), marker 1152 kilometer of the North Pan-American Highway and 13 Km south of Máncora. In village there are accommodation, restaurants, bars, banks and ATM, shops, taxi and motorbike taxis. The beach is long and wide at the foothill of Peña Mala. Beachfront houses the major hotels and houses and bungalows for rent. In the area you can see small pockets of carob trees and a spring fishing craft. For lovers of surfing reef-break has waves, left, tubular, well-formed reaches 2 meters, the most recommended are Casablanca and Codito or Organito. Recommended spot point to whale watching, in the bay is frequent sightings of whales.

Punta Veleros

Located less than 1 Km south of Los Órganos, condos, residential area, good accommodation and lodging beachfront. Los Órganos and Punta Veleros are adjacent beaches and calm, more focused on family trips, for rest and relaxation at the beach area a few restaurants and a disco.

Ñuro

Located 7 Km south of Los Órganos, Ñuro fishing cove, sandy beaches and turquoise waters, is rare and very quiet, there are beach houses and rental accommodation. Surrounded by the coastal desert. The beach access is a detour in the North Pan-American Highway at kilometer 1145.

Cabo Blanco

Located 3 Km west of the district of El Alto. (5 minutes by car) and 153 Km north of the city of Piura. (2h 15' by car), access is by a deviation marker in the North Pan-American Highway at kilometer 1137. There is a dirt road from Cabo Blanco to El Ñuro. Cabo Blanco was immortalized in the novel "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, famous for having been fishing for marlin world's largest, and in addition the swordfish and groupers. It is considered a marine paradise, thanks to its rich plankton that favors the variety of fish. The place is ideal for fishing and spearfishing. Basic services of accommodation and restaurants.

For many, this beach boasts Peru’s best leftbreaking wave. It is a fast-moving, short wave (which makes a quick take-off mandatory) that carries one of the country’s best tubes. It can rise to a four-meter-high wave, although normally it ranges from three to four meters. It is ideal between November and December. It can also be a fairly dangerous wave as it breaks near a reef, a risk which is accentuated by the sand dredging that occurs when the tide rises. The frequency of the breakers is directly linked to the swell that comes from the north (sparked by the North Pole and which runs through Hawaii). For surfers the beaches of Cabo Blanco are suitable only for very advanced level, with type of reef-break waves, long left formed, perfect tubes up to 3 meters and dangerous by the proximity of the wave to the stone base, recommended areas Panic Point and Cabo Blanco.

Punta Balcones

1 Km from Negritos village, passing the fishing village of San Pablo. The beach is crescent shaped, with clear waters and great waves, perfect for water sports (fishing and surfing). It is the habitat of sea lions of all sizes, who poke their noses through the rocks.

Videos of Northern Beaches

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Beach of Tumbes
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Punta Sal
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Puerto Pizarro
    © J. Mazzotti

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Surfing in Cabo Blanco
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Sunset in Máncora
    © P. Godoy

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Whale Watching
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Whale Watching
    © Andina

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Máncora's lovers of boating and aquatic sports
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Horse ride in Máncora
    © PromPeru

  • Northern Beaches of Peru

    Swimming with turtles in El Ñuro
    © G. Mazzotti

  • Arennas de Máncora

    Hotels in northern beaches