Major city · Peru
Tumbes
Spend 2 days in Tumbes: one day for city sights and mangrove tour, another for beach and border‑area trips; longer only for extended beach stays.
Tumbes is a gateway to northern‑coast beaches, mangrove wetlands and the Cerros de Amotape National Park. The city itself offers few attractions, so a short stay covers the highlights, while beach‑focused travelers may add a night or two.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, hotter)
- Airport
- TBP
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tumbes105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tumbes, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyTumbes is generally safe but watch for organized scams at transport hubs; keep valuables concealed and use official taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTBP Capitán FAP Guillermo Concha Iberico Airport (Flights from Lima ~2 h, US$200 one‑way).
- Getting aroundKombis run to nearby beach resorts; colectivos to the border; white taxis charge S/33 to Aguas Verdes…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)White taxi to border (Aguas Verdes)S/33
- Metro or bus rideBus Lima ↔ Tumbes (Tepsa)US$31S/93
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personPEN 25
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomPEN 120
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomPEN 180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 30 · Mid PEN 55 · High PEN 80
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TBP Capitán FAP Guillermo Concha Iberico Airport (Flights from Lima ~2 h, US$200 one‑way)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tumbes: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Kombis run to nearby beach resorts; colectivos to the border; white taxis charge S/33 to Aguas Verdes; trimoto motorcycle taxis are cheap but unregulated.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cerros de Amotape National Park
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Kombi from Tumbes, about 1 h; arrange guide locally
Dry forest, endangered Tumbes crocodile; bring water and sun protection.
Aguas Verdes beach
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Kombi or taxi, 15 min
White sand, mangrove tours available.
Manglares (river islands)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Boat from Tumbes river pier, 20 min
Observe local wildlife; small entry fee may apply.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Arrecife
Beach‑front, US$25 single room; small double/triple available
Hotel Costa Del Sol
Main plaza, US$90 (≈S/270) per night
Hotel Feijoo
Near Feijoo St, convenient for Chinese‑Peruvian eateries
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/45–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/70–120 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 2 nights × PEN 120 | PEN 240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 55 | PEN 220 |
| White taxi to Aguas Verdes border2 × PEN 33 · Feb 2018 rate | PEN 66 |
| Kombi to Cerros de Amotape (round trip)2 × PEN 25 | PEN 50 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × PEN 30 | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 64 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 175 per person per day, bed included | PEN 700 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Seafood plate (ceviche, grilled fish) | S/12–20 |
| White taxi to border (Aguas Verdes) | S/33 |
| Bus Lima ↔ Tumbes (Tepsa) | US$31 / S/93 |
| Trimoto ride within city | S/5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Scams at Emtrafesa bus terminal: fake taxi offers may demand US$100+; use official white taxis or kombis.
- Trimoto drivers lack safety gear; negotiate price before boarding.
- Currency‑exchange scams near the frontier; use bank rates or ATMs.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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TumbesTumbes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- White taxi to Aguas Verdes: S/33, ~15 min
- Kombi to Cerros de Amotape: ≈S/25 round trip
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tumbes. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, hotter) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Zorritos for quieter beach stay.
- Combine Tumbes with a day trip to Piura (2 h bus) for city markets.
Sources
Ask about Tumbes
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