---
title: "Cabeza de Vaca Archaeological Zone"
id: "cabeza-de-vaca-corrales"
category: "places"
zone: "Tumbes"
price: "Site and museum entry ticket: approx. S/ 7 - S/ 11"
hours: "Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00"
address: "Distrito de Corrales, a 5 km de Tumbes Cercado"
url: "https://www.mitumbes.com/en/places/cabeza-de-vaca-corrales/"
verified: false
source: "MiTumbes.com - Plataforma Turística Oficial de Tumbes"
---

# Cabeza de Vaca Archaeological Zone

Major Inca archaeological site and truncated adobe pyramid in Corrales, serving as coastal terminal of the Qhapaq Ñan, with site museum.

## Datos Clave / Quick Facts
- **Zona:** Tumbes (Distrito de Corrales, a 5 km de Tumbes Cercado)
- **Precio:** Site and museum entry ticket: approx. S/ 7 - S/ 11
- **Horario:** Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
- **Servicios:** On-site archaeology museum, Restrooms, Local site guides, Parking
- **Actividades:** Touring the adobe stepped pyramid huaca, Visiting the Site Museum and Chimú-Inca ceramic collections, Exploring the coastal Qhapaq Ñan terminal and Spondylus history

## Cómo Llegar
Located 5 km southwest of Tumbes city center in Corrales district (10-15 minutes by car or mototaxi).

## Información Detallada
The **Cabeza de Vaca Monumental Archaeological Zone**, located in Corrales just 5 km from Tumbes, was the principal administrative, ceremonial, and military Inca settlement on the northern coast. Its core is a massive truncated adobe pyramid measuring 250 m long and 100 m wide. As the northern coastal terminal of the Qhapaq Ñan, it served as the redistribution center for sacred Spondylus shells. It includes an official on-site museum.

## Cita Oficial
MiTumbes. (2026). *Cabeza de Vaca Archaeological Zone*. Guía Turística de Tumbes. https://www.mitumbes.com/en/places/cabeza-de-vaca-corrales/