Intorno Rental company category:Standard
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Intorno Tumbes-MancoraTumbes-MancoraView map
Hiring a campervan in Tumbes-Máncora means setting off from the far north of Peru, where the coastal desert gives way to dry forests and mangroves, and where the Pacific finally turns warm. Between the Ecuadorian border and Cabo Blanco, the beaches of Zorritos, Punta Sal, Máncora, Vichayito and Los Órganos follow one another, with humpback whales offshore in season. Our partner company, Intorno, offers Toyota Hilux and Great Wall pick-ups with a camper cab or roof tent, as well as Peugeot Boxer campervans.
Tumbes and Máncora are two separate towns: the pick-up point is arranged with the rental company.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Tumbes-Mancora?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Tumbes-Mancora
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €276/day median €344/day | from €248/day median €308/day | from €253/day median €315/day | from €251/day median €312/day |
Daily prices observed on October 26, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 0% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,341.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Tumbes-Mancora
1 Northern beaches, from Zorritos to Cabo Blanco
- Tumbes
- Zorritos
- Punta Sal
- Máncora
- Vichayito
- Los Órganos
- El Ñuro
- Cabo Blanco
The Pan-American Highway North runs along the sea for about a hundred kilometres between Tumbes and Máncora. Zorritos, where one of the first oil wells in South America was drilled, and its Hervideros hot springs, then the long beaches of Punta Sal and Cancas lead to Máncora, Peru's surf capital. Further south, Vichayito, Los Órganos and the El Ñuro pier, where you can swim with green turtles, take you to Cabo Blanco, where Hemingway came to fish for marlin.
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Tumbes mangroves and the dry forest of Cerros de Amotape
- Máncora
- Zorritos
- Tumbes
- Puerto Pizarro
- Pampas de Hospital
- Cerros de Amotape
- Máncora
North of Tumbes, the boats of Puerto Pizarro glide through the channels of the Tumbes Mangroves National Sanctuary, home to red crabs and frigatebirds; a breeding farm there protects the American crocodile. You then head inland via Pampas de Hospital to the tracks of Cerros de Amotape National Park, an equatorial dry forest where howler monkeys, deer and ocelots live. A local guide and registration at the park ranger post are essential.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 pick-up with camper cab or roof tent
3 South via Lobitos, Piura and the Sechura Desert
- Máncora
- Lobitos
- Talara
- Punta Pariñas
- Colán
- Piura
- Catacaos
- Chiclayo
After Cabo Blanco, the coconut palms give way to the oil plateaus of Talara, with a detour to Lobitos, its long waves and old wooden bungalows, then to Punta Pariñas, the westernmost point of South America. Colán and its colonial chapel set on the beach come before Piura and the filigree silversmiths of Catacaos. Finally, the Sechura Desert leads to Chiclayo, another departure city of our partners.
- Distance
- about 450 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All the vehicles offered
Weather and seasons
When to go in Tumbes-Mancora?
Best time
July to October: whale season
July to October
highs 27 to 28 °C, lows 19 °C
Almost no rain, sunshine every day and a sea between 20 and 22 °C: this is when humpback whales, up from Antarctic waters to give birth, cruise off Los Órganos and Máncora. Boat trips leave in the morning, when the sea is calmest. The southern swell also wakes up the waves of Lobitos and Cabo Blanco.
May, June and November: the shoulder season
May to June, November
highs 27 to 30 °C, lows 19 to 22 °C
Dry, bright months, without the summer crowds or the bustle of whale-watching boats. In May the water still holds the warmth of the southern summer; in November it slowly warms up again. A good window to combine the beaches with the tracks of Cerros de Amotape, easily passable after months without rain.
High season
December to April: the southern summer
December to April
highs 29 to 30 °C, lows 21 to 24 °C
Máncora and Punta Sal fill up with holidaymakers from Lima and the rest of the country: sea up to 26 °C, warm nights and a festive mood until Holy Week. February and March bring tropical showers, sometimes violent in El Niño years, which can cut bridges and inland tracks. Check road conditions before leaving the coast.
Climate in Tumbes-Mancora, month by month
Most pleasant months: All year round.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 °C | 23 °C | 16 mm | 11 h/day | 23 °C |
| Feb | 30 °C | 24 °C | 59 mm | 11 h/day | 26 °C |
| Mar | 30 °C | 24 °C | 77 mm | 10 h/day | 26 °C |
| Apr | 30 °C | 24 °C | 39 mm | 11 h/day | 25 °C |
| May | 30 °C | 22 °C | 8 mm | 11 h/day | 23 °C |
| Jun | 28 °C | 20 °C | 2 mm | 11 h/day | 22 °C |
| Jul | 28 °C | 19 °C | 0 mm | 11 h/day | 22 °C |
| Aug | 27 °C | 19 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day | 21 °C |
| Sep | 27 °C | 19 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day | 20 °C |
| Oct | 27 °C | 19 °C | 2 mm | 12 h/day | 21 °C |
| Nov | 27 °C | 19 °C | 3 mm | 12 h/day | 21 °C |
| Dec | 29 °C | 21 °C | 9 mm | 11 h/day | 22 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
The Pan-American Highway as main street
In Máncora, as in Zorritos or Los Órganos, the Pan-American Highway North runs through the centre: mototaxis cutting across, pedestrians, speed bumps and trucks share the road. Slow down markedly in each town and park away from the carriageway, in a side street or in a lodging's grounds, rather than on the hard shoulder.
Soft sand on beach access roads
Several beach access roads, towards Vichayito, Punta Sal or Cabo Blanco, are dirt or sand tracks. A van gets stuck quickly: check the ground on foot before driving in and never drive on the foreshore, which the tide covers quickly. 4x4 pick-ups cope better, but are not immune to getting bogged down.
Fuel and cash before heading inland
Petrol stations line the Pan-American Highway in Tumbes, Zorritos, Máncora, Los Órganos and Talara, but there is nothing once you are on the tracks of Cerros de Amotape or in inland villages. Fill up, carry water in jerrycans and withdraw soles in Tumbes or Máncora: small shops often accept cash only.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Tumbes-Mancora
Where can I pick up a campervan in Tumbes-Máncora?
Our partner company, Intorno, offers its vehicles under the name “Tumbes-Máncora”. Yet Tumbes, the regional capital near the Ecuadorian border, and Máncora, a beach resort in the Piura region, are about 100 km apart. Ask the rental company to confirm the exact pick-up point before buying your plane tickets: the most convenient airport is not the same.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Tumbes-Máncora?
The rate depends on the departure month, the length of hire, the model and any return to another city. Run a search with your dates: the prices shown include mandatory fees, and each offer details its mileage, excess and equipment conditions. For the Peruvian summer holidays, compare early, as the number of vehicles is limited.
When and where can I see humpback whales?
Humpback whales visit the coast from roughly July to October, peaking in August and September. Boat trips mainly leave from Los Órganos and Máncora with local operators, for two to three hours at sea. The rest of the year, the El Ñuro pier lets you swim among green turtles, which are present all year round.
Can I cross into Ecuador with the rental vehicle?
The Aguas Verdes border post, opposite Huaquillas, is only about thirty kilometres from Tumbes, but crossing the border in a rental vehicle requires the company's written consent, temporary import papers and insurance valid in Ecuador. Ask Intorno before booking; without authorisation, leave the vehicle in Peru and cross the border by bus.
Which vehicle should I choose in Tumbes-Máncora?
For the coast, served by the paved Pan-American Highway, the Peugeot Boxer Höseg or Mora campervans offer four berths. For the tracks of Cerros de Amotape and sandy beach access roads, choose a camper cab on a Toyota Hilux or Great Wall pick-up; the Great Wall Poer is the only automatic. The Hilux with roof tents suit experienced campers.
Can I end the trip in another Peruvian city?
Chiclayo, Trujillo, Chachapoyas, Tarapoto, Lima and Ica are also departure cities of our partners. Driving down the coast to Chiclayo, the nearest, saves heading back north. When a one-way rental is offered for your dates, its fees are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city in the search.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Tumbes-Mancora with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Too rigid computer system
Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good customer experience with Cooldrive. I highly recommend it! Thanks to the team who were attentive and available for organizing my trip to Canada.
B.
Canada · Oct 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Tumbes-Máncora
What licence do I need to drive in northern Peru?
A car licence is enough for the fitted pick-ups and vans on offer. Add an international driving permit to your national licence: police checks are frequent on the Pan-American Highway North, especially near the Ecuadorian border. Traffic drives on the right. The minimum age and years of driving required are shown in each offer's conditions.
Which airports serve Tumbes or Máncora?
Tumbes airport, linked to Lima by daily flights, is the closest to the town of Tumbes. For Máncora, Talara airport is about an hour and a half's drive away, and Piura airport, with more flights, nearly three hours. Choose it once the rental company has confirmed the pick-up point.
Where can I sleep in a campervan on the northern beaches?
Proper campsites are rare. In Máncora, Punta Sal, Vichayito or Zorritos, many beach hotels and hostels welcome a vehicle on their grounds for a small fee, with showers and security. Avoid spending the night alone on a deserted beach; always ask the owner or watchman for permission before settling in.
How can I visit the mangroves and Cerros de Amotape?
The mangroves are explored by boat from the port of Puerto Pizarro, about fifteen kilometres from Tumbes, with a local boatman. Cerros de Amotape, a protected area managed by Sernanp, requires registration at the entrance and, for some trails, a guide. Ask in Tumbes about open access points and track conditions before setting off.
Can I drive at night on the north coast?
Best avoided. Outside towns, the Pan-American Highway North is unlit, and you meet goats, donkeys, mototaxis without lights and slow trucks. The speed bumps at village entrances are sometimes poorly signposted. Plan your stages to arrive before sunset, around 6 pm all year round this close to the equator.
When should I book a campervan in Tumbes-Máncora?
Several months ahead for January and February, Holy Week and New Year, when Máncora is fully booked. The Fiestas Patrias at the end of July fall in the middle of whale season and also draw crowds. With a single partner company, the fleet is limited: the fitted pick-ups are usually the first to go.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Tumbes-Máncora
Northern Peru offers what the rest of the coast lacks: a warm sea, palm-fringed beaches and sunshine almost guaranteed all year. Within a few hours' drive, you go from the waves of Máncora to the mangroves of Puerto Pizarro, from the turtles of El Ñuro to the dry forests of Cerros de Amotape, and from July to October humpback whales appear offshore.
Intorno offers vehicles suited to both faces of the region: Peugeot Boxer campervans for the Pan-American Highway, Toyota Hilux and Great Wall pick-ups for tracks and sand. Chiclayo, Trujillo and Lima, other departure cities of our partners, make it possible to extend the trip south one way. And since highs stay close to 30 °C in every season, the coast can be explored by campervan twelve months a year.