Parque Ecologico Palo Santo
Parque Ecologico Palo Santo
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
20 reviews
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liciousd
Tacoma8 contributions
If you are looking for anice spot for lunch, or would like to see the dry forest but don't have time for a full day tour, just on the edge of Tumbes is a spot you shouldn't miss. The Palo Santo Ecological Park (Parque Ecologico Palo Santo) is named for one of the native tree species of the dry forest ecosystem found on the North coast. Palo Santo is a private park, organized by Sr. Emilio Mendez, who roughly 30 years ago envisioned a protected natural area near the city. The tall trees and cacti there are witness to the successful restoration of the land; squirrel and deer have been sighted there, though lizards are far more common. The park is located on top of a hill with a panoramic view of Tumbes; there is a restaurant on top of the hill where a group of talented (but well amplified) criolla musicians play; they previously waited at the cemetary to mark the birthdays of the departed. The lunch is limited to a menu, but the food is decent and service responsive. There is a 4-story lookout tower you can climb for an even better view, and 2 species of resident monkeys and a number of colorful caged birds are nearby. There is a short loop trail from the restaurant down the back side of the hill, along which various species of native trees and cacti are labeled with their common and latin names. To get there, hire a mototaxi and remind them it is located a bit outside the city, past the National University of Tumbes. I list a website here not as a commercial promotion, but you may wish to contact Mr. Mendez ahead of time to confirm the restaurant is open, musicians are there, etc. through his tour company, tumbestours.com or just head up for the view and take your chances with lunch.
Written August 23, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BahiaDave
Bedford, UK90 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
Just a mile outside Tumbes is this wonderful preserve - Pacific Dry Forest (Bosque Seco) - with only native species present. There is a short pathway through the forest and many birds abound. There is a 4 storey mirador, or lookout, giving a 360 degree panorama of the Tumbes area, and a very good restaurant serving local dishes.
Unfortunately it is very under-used, but well worth the visit - only a short moto-taxi ride from Tumbes.
Unfortunately it is very under-used, but well worth the visit - only a short moto-taxi ride from Tumbes.
Written June 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola. El lugar basado en sus comentarios me parece interesante para visitar. Acaso debo de sacar algĂşn permiso para ir. Por ejemplo, dĂłnde compro los boletos y cuál es su precio. Atienden todos los dĂas? Me podrian ayudar, por favor.
Written December 16, 2015
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