Santa Cruz
Travel Guide
Plan for Santa Cruz with Local Expertise
Santa Cruz at a glance
Santa Cruz is the main transport hub for people visiting Bolivia, and many travelers will fly into the city before heading out to journey to the salt flats or to spend a few days in La Paz. This is of benefit to travelers, as it will allow them to begin their acclimatization to Bolivia’s high altitude, which can often be problematic for some people when they reach the altiplano, or high plain, of La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Given its location close to the Andes, there is also a wealth of outdoor activities to partake in if you are a nature lover or adventure sport enthusiast. There is plenty of wildlife watching to be done in the surrounding area, and there are many tours that will take you to the outskirts to spot some animals, especially in the Amboró National Park, just 150km away from Santa Cruz. Sand boarding is also a favorite with adrenaline junkies, as well as white water rafting and horse riding. There is certainly something for everyone in Santa Cruz, whether you want to indulge in some urban fun or prefer to hang out in the wild and get your blood pumping.
Our Santa Cruz Travel Experts Recommend:
- Jesuit Misions San Javier & Concepción
LET US CUSTOMIZE OR BOOK THESE TRIPS FOR YOU
Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit you wishlist. We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit you budget and taste.
What not to miss
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or Santa Cruz as it is more commonly known, is Bolivia’s most populous city. Situated on the Pirai River, Santa Cruz was a small outpost that the regional nomadic tribes passed through before the arrival of the Spanish in 1561. Santa Cruz was founded as the provincial capital of the newly formed states, but it was something of a roaming capital for many years, relocating numerous times until finally settling back at its original siting. The city sits in the foothills of the sierras, the start of the imposing Andes mountain range that dominates much of this stretch of South America. Santa Cruz is a cosmopolitan city whose somewhat Western identity contrasts sharply with the indigenous character of La Paz. It is a rapidly growing city, and displays an interesting mix of contemporary culture and ideals while still holding on to some of Bolivia’s more traditional values. Santa Cruz is hugely popular as a place to live because of its tropical desert climate created by its low-lying location and sunny skies year round. This developed city is a fascinating mix of old and new, with the high rise buildings that define the skyline juxtaposed with colonial churches and administrative buildings at the street level. High end restaurants take their place among the streets that bustle with food trucks and street vendors, and local markets can be found alongside independent boutiques. Santa Cruz is known for its nightlife, with plenty of atmospheric bars and clubs making the city a haven for expats and immigrants who decide to settle here because of the lifestyle it offers. The city’s main square, Plaza 24 de Septiembre, is certainly a highlight of Santa Cruz, with its tall palm trees and impressive colonial buildings providing a pleasant place to take a stroll or to sit and watch the world go by.
Jesuit Misions San Javier & Concepción
3 Day & 4 Day Programs
We depart from Santa Cruz in the morning hours crossing giant railway bridge at the Mamoré River, passing through San Ramon to San Javier where we break for lunch. Then we continue through an area full of rock formations while en route to Concepcion where we see many beautiful species of birds along the way including parrots, and other birds of prey such as vultures and toucans. Depending on duration of this experience you will have the opportunity to visit the three small villages of San Miguel, San Rafael and Santa Ana and their churches. The church of Santa Ana is different from all the others we have seen so far. In San Miguel we visit a workshop where we can see men working on religious statues and ornaments. In the afternoon, we return to San Ignacio de Velasco, where you can spend some time around the plaza and enjoy the pace of life in the streets of these remote towns of eastern Bolivia.
Fast Facts on Santa Cruz
USEFUL TRAVELER INFORMATION
This section is a quick overview to help in planning your trip to Santa Cruz.
When to go
Santa Cruz’s tropical desert climate makes it pleasant to visit all year round. Winters are short but can be extremely cold, with the surazos winds from Argentina dropping the temperature sharply as night falls. It can also be quite wet during the rainy season, which runs from September to May. If you plan on visiting in the South American summer months of December, January and February, be advised that it can be quite hot and humid, but the nights during this time remain warm.
How to get there
The best way to get to Santa Cruz is by plane. It is one of the country’s main tourist hubs, and its Viru Viru International Airport, situated 15km from the city centre, receives both domestic, regional and international flights from North America, Europe and other countries in South America. Alternatively you can reach Santa Cruz by bus, but Bolivian buses are notoriously unreliable, long and uncomfortable. However, they are very much a part of the true Bolivian experience, and you might want to take a bus once just to see what its like. We can arrange all internal flights and transfers for you as part of your itinerary, so just speak to one of our travel experts about your travel goals. Getting around Santa Cruz is easy, and marked taxis are cheap and safe.
Infrastructure
Given Santa Cruz’s status as one of the wealthier and most glamourous of Bolivia’s large cities, it is no wonder that there is no shortage of high-end places to eat, drink and stay. From the upscale restaurants and cafes of the Monseñor Rivero neighbourhood, to the street vendors and food trucks that are scattered all around the city, you are sure to find something to tickle your palette. Santa Cruz is also a great place to pick up some artisanal crafts, shop in independent boutiques or grab some souvenirs for your friends at home. The city is also well connected with WiFi, and many cafes will allow you to log on.
