Tumbes was a region populated since times before the Inca empire by large groups humans dedicated to agriculture, hunting and trade. Its ancient settlers were considered by traditions as the greatest navigators of the Peruvian coast. They stood out in the carving of pointed shell valves, Pata de Burro and other molluscs. Subsequently, the area was incorporated into the domain of the great Chimú. During the incantation, and especially in the government of the Inca Pachacutec, the cusqueños extended their domains to Tumbes.

In the time of the Tumbes incanato it had a very important role in the political destinies of the Tahuantisuyo where Pachacutec submitted it to his domain and after the year 1400, he went to the Punaña islands and it was Huayna Cápac who turned it into an operations center from where he left with his army to dominate the Punaeños. For this reason the monarch gave greater importance to Tumbes and ordered the construction of roads, houses, palaces and temples.

In 1532 the first Spaniards arrived in Peru through the La Chepa estuary under the command of Francisco Pizarro. It was in these lands where the first encounter between the culture West and the Inca Empire, marked by fierce resistance from the indigenous led by Curaca Chilimasa. Before leaving for the south, Pizarro placed a cross, symbol of Christianity, on the beach that we know today as Caleta La Cruz.

Tumbes is one of the first cities to free itself from the Spanish yoke, proclaiming its independence on January 7, 1821. In 1941 he had to face a conflict with the Ecuador due to border problems, a situation that has been definitively resolved by a Peace Agreement signed in October 1998.