Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Tumbes Mangals National Sanctuary is a national park located in the Tumbes Department of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....

. They contain many different species of flora and fauna from many different animal groups. It is just picking up pace in tourism as the beach resort of Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

 three hours to the south is booming.

Although hard to imagine, during the summer months from December to March, the swamp dries up to become a large canyon encompassed by the surrounging brush. During this time, seafood farmers collect crabs, black conches, and shrimp to be exported through the port of Paita
Paita
Paita is a city in northwestern Peru. It is the capital of the Paita Province which is in the Piura Region. It is a leading seaport in that region...

.

Biodiversity

The mangrove stands are home to an abundant number of common and endemic species. Besides the famous mollusks and crustaceans (black conchs and shrimp), the sanctuary protects a large variety of commercially important fish, more than 200 species of birds (including many rare or endangered species), and rare and threatened mammals, including the Crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and the neotropical otter (Lutra longicaudis). Mangrove forests composed of over 40 varieties of plants, among them the distinguished Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle).

Threats

The principal threats to Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary are the presence of shrimp farmers who deforest and pollute the area, the excessive extraction of natural resources (particularly conchs and crabs), and pollution from surrounding villages. Other threats include: contamination from domestic effluents and agricultural runoff; forest and scrubland destruction to create fish farms; increasing unregulated tourism; and the negative influence of the El Niño phenomenon, which alters ecosystem patterns affecting mangroves.good fishing

Tourism

The Manglares is a major tourist destination in the Tumbes Department. It is reachable by direct mototaxi service from Tumbes. The mototaxitrip takes an estimated twenty minutes and costs around S/.15 ($4.50USD). From the small port various boats are docked waiting for passengers. The tour lasts 4 hours and includes a separate tour to the Crocodile Island Zoo. The total voyage costs S/.80 ($25USD) and consists of a private motorboat and a very informative private local tour guide. The boats can accommodate up to 8 people so therefore fares can easily be divided by separate parties. The Manglares are very often visited by day trips from tourists to the major beach resort town of Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

. Mancora receives an average of 340,000 visitors a year many of which take the day trip to the Manglares and other destinations in Tumbes. The trip from Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

 takes about 3 hours and can be reached by various methods. Collectivos (marked "Tumbes") run from Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

 all the way to the 1278 kilometer of the Pan American Highway (passing through Tumbes) to the junction of the smaller road leading to Puerto Pizarro. From the junction at the 1278 kilometer (After the city of Tumbes) taxis to the dock cost S/.5 soles ($1.50USD). Collectivos can run back and forth looking for passengers in Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

 anywhere from 5–20 minutes before starting off on the trip. The fare for the collectivo costs S/.6 ($2USD). Going by taxi to the Manglares from Mancora
Máncora
Máncora is a town and beach resort in the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is located in the Talara Province and is capital of the Máncora District. The town has 8,852 inhabitants ....

is very inconvenient as it costs around S/.120 ($37USD) or S/.240 ($75USD) roundtrip. It is only for travelers who want to have a more direct, fast, private, and comfortable service and have a little extra cash to spend. In contrast the collectivo plus the mototaxi cost $8USD roundtrip while the taxi costs $75USD.
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