Tumbes The tropical city of Tumbes lies along the Pacific at 1,600 km  of Lima, in the entire north of Peru near the border with Ecuador. It has a population of about 60,000. The water of the ocean has a temperature of 30°C all year round, and the beaches are magnificent. The city is surrounded by ricefields and banana plantations.   The Plaza Mayor in Tumbes. Image © Christine Weinreich River just outside Tumbes. Image © Christine Weinreich The beach of Zorritos, outside Tumbes. Image © Christine Weinreich