On Peru’s far northern coast, Punta Sal is more than a resort name: it is a public beach landscape in the district of Canoas de Punta Sal, Tumbes. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) describes a roughly six-kilometre shoreline about 81 kilometres south of Tumbes city and 23 kilometres north of Máncora. That position makes it a useful base for travelers comparing the beaches of Tumbes with those farther south, but the specific stretch you choose affects the feel of the day.
MINCETUR divides the resource into Punta Sal Chica, Playa Punta Azul and the larger Punta Sal Grande resort area. The official inventory describes the smaller northern cove as curved and sheltered by two low rocky points, while Punta Azul lies between the northern and southern sectors. Punta Sal Grande has the longest open frontage and is the area most visited by domestic and international tourists, according to the same record. These names help explain why “Punta Sal beach” can refer to more than one access point or coastal scene.