Zorritos: Oil History and Summer Carnival

Zorritos combines a distinctive oil history with life as a tourist beach resort. At Plazuela Faustino Piaggio, a wooden tower and a bust commemorate the beginnings of the oil industry. In February, the summer carnivals bring competitions and a festive atmosphere to the town. You can plan your trip to Zorritos around historical discoveries, festival dates, or both.

Traces of the Oil History

On November 2, 1863, Well No. 4 was opened in Zorritos; it is considered the first of its kind in Latin America. A wooden tower at Plazuela Faustino Piaggio commemorates the first oil well drilled in South America on that same date. A bust of oil-industry pioneer Faustino Piaggio also stands there. The Genoese industrialist developed the oil industry in Zorritos and headed the Compañía Peruana de Refinar Petróleo.

Playa Zorritos is also connected with this history: it is home to South America's first oil well, which is also considered the world's second oldest. Those interested in industrial history will therefore find several concrete points of interest in Zorritos—from Well No. 4 and the memorial site in the plaza to Playa Zorritos. The names Faustino Piaggio and Well No. 4 help distinguish the different memorials.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Zorritos is 27 km south of Tumbes. The drive by car or van takes about 30 minutes. Plazuela Faustino Piaggio is also 27 km from Tumbes; by private car, the route follows a paved road and takes about 30 minutes. If you want to include the memorial site specifically in your trip, you can use these details to plan your journey.

Zorritos offers a wide range of tourist services, as well as hotels and restaurants. When looking for a vacation rental or holiday home, you can first consider which aspects of the destination matter most for your stay: its oil history, the summer carnivals, or a visit to the hot springs south of town.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The summer carnivals in the tourist beach resort of Zorritos are a popular February celebration. Competitions include beach volleyball and beach soccer, as well as a creative sand-sculpting contest. The program offers a mix of activities: alongside sports competitions, there is also sand art on the beach. If you are planning a trip around the summer carnivals, February is the time to keep in mind.

Another annual occasion is the anniversary of Zorritos' political founding on November 25. Depending on the year's program, it may also include sports competitions that make use of the resort's waters. Unlike the summer carnivals in February, this event falls on a fixed date in November. The sports competitions depend on the program for that year.

Hot Springs South of Zorritos

The Baños termales de Hervideros are located south of Zorritos. You can reach the hot springs via a turnoff near Bocapán. Important for your visit: you can only go by appointment made in advance. If you would like to include this stop in your trip, be sure to arrange an appointment beforehand. This makes it easy to plan your visit as a separate activity alongside Zorritos' historical memorials and festivals.

For the broader travel overview: Zorritos.