It seems like a location straight out of a science fiction movie, the kind in which an adventurer is sailing through the waters and, during his journey, comes across wonderful landscapes, full of natural life, before reaching his final destination. There is no more precise explanation to describe the Tumbes Mangroves, one of the delicacies that the geography of northern Peru has.
This protected natural area is located 50 minutes from the city of Tumbes, which belongs to the region with the same name. In this privileged location for practicing ecotourism you can connect with nature like nowhere else, since it is possible to navigate its waters and closely appreciate the great biodiversity that surrounds it. This adventure is more than a simple trip to the heart of a little-known ecosystem like the mangroves. And here we will guide you so that you can enjoy it to the fullest before entering this aquatic world.
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A mangrove is a fairly complex type of tropical biome, made up of mangroves (aquatic plants) that are located at the mouth of rivers with quite specific conditions. Otherwise, this ecosystem would not survive, so conditioning one of these habitats is impossible for humans. Since March 2, 1988, the political division of the Tumbes Mangroves was created, which includes 2,972 hectares (initially, there were more than 28,000, until it was reduced due to the felling of forests to organize prawn farms).
While you navigate its waters, you can delight in the curved trees with curly roots, observe the enormous diversity of endemic and migratory birds, crocodiles, crustaceans and mollusks, or lose your gaze in the endless aquatic forests that surround the water channels and islands that make up the this ecosystem. There are five different species of mangroves (pineapple, black, red, red and white), so this trip also becomes a paradise for botanists and students.
With an average temperature of 30° C in summer, the Tumbes Mangroves will welcome you not only with the warmth of its climate: also with that of its people. Those in charge of preserving this ecosystem, as well as the tourist guides who will offer you the best alternatives for you to enjoy your trip, will have as their sole mission that you know, enjoy and enjoy this unique ecosystem in the world. Of course, don’t forget to try the exquisite cuisine of this place: a delicious black shell ceviche or a crab chupe have to come to your table. The particularity of these dishes is that the main ingredients are hunted by local fishermen, who can also teach you their artisanal techniques.
How to get?
From the capital, Lima, there are two routes to reach Tumbes, the border department that borders Ecuador. The first, faster and more effective, is by plane: transporting yourself by air from the Jorge Chávez Airport to the Capitán FAP Pedro Canga Rodríguez Airport (Tumbes) takes less than two hours – exactly, 1 hour and 50 minutes -. The second alternative is by land. You can take a bus from a transportation company or drive your vehicle along the Panamericana Norte to your destination. In either case, the trip is approximately 20 hours – with short stops.
While traveling by air will save you time, traveling by land will ensure you can walk along the roads of four different regions (Áncash, La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura) and save a little money. Once you are in Tumbes, head towards the province of Zarumilla (northwest of Tumbes), until you stop at the two entrances enabled for tourists: Puerto 25 and El Algarrobo.
Admission to the tourism sector is only 10 soles (less than 3 dollars) and the cost for the boat ride varies between 50 to 60 soles (approximately 13 to 16 dollars). So you no longer have excuses: pack your suitcase and get ready for a new adventure.
Mangroves
Mangroves are a unique ecosystem where mangroves emerge, grow and develop. They are trees that tolerate both fresh water and salt water, and constitute one of the few plant species that have adapted to live in flood conditions.
At first glance, mangrove forests look like wide rows of trees with thin, twisted roots and branches, intertwining semi-submerged on beaches, river mouths and lagoons in tropical and subtropical coastal areas.
Ecological contribution
Why are mangroves vital? What would happen if they didn’t exist? What is your ecological contribution to sustainable development? Mangroves develop in places where a series of conditions are combined: tropical areas, contributions of fresh water and sediments transported by rivers, tidal amplitude and their intrusion into the land facilitated by the flat relief.
In the mangroves there is a large amount of raw materials such as quality wood for the construction of houses (their wood is resistant to termites). It is also highly prized for ship and dock construction due to its density and resistance to rot.
Medicinal herbs, tinctures, among others, are obtained from its branches and leaves. Mangrove honey is highly prized for its sweetness and at the same time for its salty nuance. Salt is also extracted from its trees. Likewise, they are key places for the development of family and artisanal fishing.
Mangroves are the only forests in the world that represent a kind of natural wall that resists storms. If mangroves disappeared, communities would also be left without one of the protective barriers to mitigate soil erosion.
Mangrove forests have become part of the ecotourism attraction of the coasts and are important areas for scientific research, the development of public awareness campaigns and environmental education.
They also constitute the main means of obtaining food and income and, in one way or another, the provisioning services derived from these ecosystems benefit everyone.
Biodiversity lodge
Mangroves serve as a refuge for a wide variety of species, including birds, fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Among the latter, the mangrove crab or red crab stands out, an emblematic species that, until a few years ago, was in danger of disappearing from the Los Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary due to indiscriminate capture due to growing demand, especially in the gastronomic market. .
However, since 2015 this threat has been reversed thanks to the joint work between the authorities and artisanal fishermen in the area. Thanks to the administration contract signed between the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) and the Northwest Mangroves Consortium, a milestone was established in the conservation of the red crab and other species.
Black Shell
Another emblematic species of the Los Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary is the black shell, a bivalve mollusk of the arcidae family, whose oval-shaped valves have thick, striated walls and a dark hairy outer covering, which gives him the name.
The mangrove shells, particularly the black shell, and the red crab, are a fundamental part of some of the best-known culinary specialties of the coastal region, such as the black shell ceviche, the parihuela or the sudados made with both species, among many other dishes, so their commercialization is a fundamental source of income for the families of artisanal extractors.
The best destinations in Perú
Once you decide to visit Palccoyo Mountain, you could add the best destinations to combine the history and experience for your trip to Peru. Peru offers the most beautiful destinations, culture and naturals. we recommend to extend your holidays and choose these best destinations and prepare your itinerary:
- Inca Trail
- Machu Picchu
- Amazon Rainforest Peru
- Cusco
- Lake Titicaca
- Colca Canyon – Arequipa
