Santa Cruz

About Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz de La Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital city of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia lies at an altitude of 416 meters, and its climate is distinctly tropical.

Santa Cruz de La Sierra was first founded on February 26, 1561 by Ñuflo de Chávez who gave the new settlement its name in honor of his beloved native city in Extremadura, Spain. The original settlement was actually 220 km east of its current location, only a few kilometers south of today's San José de Chiquitos. After conflicts with the indigenous population, the town was moved to its present location on the banks of Piraí River in 1592. Remnants of the original settlement can be visited in Santa Cruz la Vieja ("Old Santa Cruz"), an archeological site South of San José de Chiquitos.

The city has experimented tremendous development in the las 30 years most due to drug trafficking and lately oil production. The city is well known for its beautiful women and friendly people.

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Climate

The weather is semi-tropical, with an average annual temperature around 21°C (or 70°F). Although the weather is generally warm all year round, cold wind patterns, called "surazos", can blow in occasionally (especially in the winter) from the Argentine pampas making the temperature drop considerably. The months of greater rainfall are January and February.

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How to get here

By air

Viru Viru International Airport is Bolivia's largest airport and a hub for national carrier Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano. Most major airlines have daily flights to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. See flight availability and airport information by clicking here.  

By road

There are many bus companies from another cities, like Cochabamba, La Paz, Sucre, Trinidad, that go to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. You can arrive from La Paz in about 18 hours, and it takes about 10 hours from Cochabamba.

By train

The train runs on some from Quijarro, close to Curumba on the Brazilian side. The journey takes 16-22 hours. There is a faster more expensive "Ferrobus". Biting insects are plentiful, so get repellent before you go. Departure/arrival is from the combined bus and train station, "Terminal Bimodal".

From Corumba the bus-ride to Sao Paulo takes about 24 hours more. If you're going from Santa Cruz to Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires you might want to consider flying instead. The price of the flight won't be that much more than the price of combined train and bus ticket.

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Getting around in Santa Cruz

It's easy to get around in Santa Cruz people are very friendly just try to get used to the city's street layout consisting of a concentric ring model not easy to get used to at the begging.

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Where to stay

Santa Cruz has a lot of hotels and affordable places to stay, allowing the visitor to be close to the action find information on hotels and reservations by clicking here.

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What to see while in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has a lot to see no matter what you are looking for from cultural to high adrenaline sports here are some suggestions:

Sightseeing

Las lomas de arena natural sand dunes that include a small lake where a lot of water sport take place during weekend days; it's a place for gathering and enjoyment.

Going out

Avenida Busch is a good place to start a long night. There are several Pubs there and you are still close to the center. Most clubs and discotheques are located around Equipetrol is the recommended place by the locals for having a good time.

I you want something more relaxed you should try Avenida Monseñor Rivero is a popular boulevard if you are looking for a coffee or drink.

Cinemas

There are a lot of cinemas in Santa Cruz some showing Hollywood's latest releases as well as Bolivian production click here for details.

Internet

Internet cafes are on each street corner in Santa Cruz all with descent connection.

Eat

There are several good restaurants in the north of the city; most of them are in the Avenida Monseñór Rivero there are many restaurants, pizzerias, karaoke's, hotel restaurants, and discotheques offering great service and food so you have a good culinary experience. Find information by clicking here.   Even though things have improved a lot lately, be careful to select a proper place to get your next meal because not all the vendors are known for keeping the highest standards for cleanness and hygiene.

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Do's and Don't in Santa Cruz

The cost of living in Bolivia is very affordable so don't be afraid of going out and splurge there's a lot to see in town or out of it be as adventurous as you can, taking always some precautions. In crowded areas be careful for pickpockets and bags lashers . A common trick is that one person spills something on your clothes, and while you or he wipes it off another person lifts your wallet or slashes your bag.

Be vigilant when checking into a hotel or hostel. Keep a hand on all your bags/belongings at all times. Acting as if they work for the hotel, opportunist thieves will create a diversion and snatch the nearest unattended bag.

If you are approached by police in civilian clothes don't show any valuables or your passport. And certainly don't get in a taxi with them. Undercover police are strictly ordered not to hassle tourists. There have been several cases of muggings and things going missing from bags or luggage after "drug searches". Insist on being taken to the police station before giving them access to your things. If you can, call the 110, which is the Bolivian emergency number.

And the most important there have been several cases of violent muggings in taxis . Don't take unregistered taxis. Lock the doors and don't allow other people to share the journey with you.

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Places near Santa Cruz worth to visit

In Santa Cruz you can book some great excursions, like a trekking in Park Amboro Noel Kempff where you'll find your self surrounded by majestic jungle of the Bolivian Amazon, Also a great option is to take a boat trip around the Bolivian Pantanal (going west in the Amazon region close to the Brazilian border) or simply stay for the weekend on the beautiful resorts built in this region. Or you can also visit the original settlement where Santa Cruz was founded known as Santa Cruz la Vieja ("Old Santa Cruz"), an archeological site South of San José de Chiquitos.

While in Santa Cruz don't let pass the opportunity to visit the ruins of Samaipata originally carved in rock as an Inca fort on your way to Vallegrande to track the Che Guevara last steps..

And the icing on the cake a cultural excursion to the Jesuit Missions where you will find carved on wood the incredible work of Christian converted natives guided by Jesuit priest during the Spanish colony while you listen to the native baroque symphonic orchestra. Find information on travel agencies and tour guides by clicking here.

No matter witch one you choose you'll have a great time for sure, while visiting beautiful Santa Cruz.

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