Zarumilla

Zarumilla combines a central urban plaza with a special connection to the history of the Battle of Zarumilla. The Plaza de Armas lies in the city centre, opposite the parish church of Perpetuo Socorro. An obelisk in the plaza commemorates the battle; busts depict the heroes of the 1941 war. Anyone interested in history and public commemorations will find a concrete starting point here for getting to know Zarumilla’s urban character.

Plaza de Armas and Commemorative Days

A civic commemoration of the Battle of Zarumilla is held every year on 23 July in the Plaza de Armas. The following day, 24 July, the anniversary celebration of the battle is held each year. It includes a flag procession through the plaza and a civil-military parade in honour of the fallen heroes and martyrs. The two dates offer different occasions: the civic commemoration is on the calendar for 23 July, while 24 July is the celebration with its processions. If you would like to plan your trip around these annual commemorative days, these are the exact dates to keep in mind.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro is also one of the city’s attractions. Its position opposite the plaza provides a clear point of reference in the centre. Together with the obelisk and busts, this makes it possible to plan a themed visit centred on the plaza, church and remembrance, without conflating the different places or their respective connections to history.

The nearby Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes

The Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes is located in the surrounding area of Zarumilla. The area has been recognised as Ramsar Wetland of International Importance No. 883 since 20 January 1997. Its tourism and recreation 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 area encompasses several stretches of estero and marks a distinctly different focus for a holiday than the urban plaza: here, the mangrove area and named waterways shape the visitor’s bearings.

Two routes with different destinations

The traditional route in the sanctuary runs from the Puerto 25 landing point or the El Algarrobo control post along Estero Zarumilla to Sendero El Gallegos. A specialist route is intended for birdwatching: it also starts at Puerto 25 or the El Algarrobo control post, but then passes via Isla Matapalo to Punta Capones. The routes therefore differ both in their named waypoints and in their destination. Anyone particularly interested in birdwatching can use the specialist route as a point of reference; the traditional route leads to Sendero El Gallegos.

Two sets of distance and journey-time figures are useful for getting there, and it is important to distinguish their reference points. The distance from the bus station in the city of Tumbes to Avenida 28 de Julio in Zarumilla is given as 23 km and 15 minutes via a paved road. From Zarumilla to the Puerto 25 control post in the Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes, the stated journey is 5 km and 10 minutes by road. The figures refer to different starting points and destinations and help distinguish the journey into the city from the drive to the control post.

Two specific themes therefore stand out when choosing what to focus on during your holiday: Zarumilla’s plaza with its commemorative sites and dates, and the mangrove routes in the surrounding area. Consider which of these aspects is more important for your trip when looking for the right location for a holiday apartment in Zarumilla.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more places in this destination area, you can find Caleta Cruz, La Bocana, Bocapán, Canoas, Cancas and Cardalito here.

For the wider travel overview: Tumbes.