Santa Cruz de la Sierra Travel Guide

  a typical roadside market outside...
by glabah
 
  • a typical roadside market outside central downtown
      a typical roadside market outside...
    by glabah
  • a typical street scene during my Santa Cruz visit
      a typical street scene during my Santa...
    by glabah
  • Cathedral corner Plaza 24 de Septiembre
      Cathedral corner Plaza 24 de Septiembre
    by englishkiwi
  • Plaza 24 de Septiembre (- sloths)
      Plaza 24 de Septiembre (- sloths)
    by englishkiwi
  •   Santa Cruz de la Sierra
    by englishkiwi
 

Pro

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 A good place to begin a trip to the western part of Bolivia 


Con

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 Crime 


In a nutshell

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 An unexpected city... 

 

Explore Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Things to Do  

Much more to do in Santa Cruz

Much more to do in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 el_comandate Says:  http://www.bolivia-online.net I guess the most detailed online guide about Santa Cruz has tourist information and photos of all touristy sights of the city and the department of Santa Cruz - check it out! There is listings also for restaurants, bars, cinema, volunteer work,... 

Visit "La plaza 24 se Septiembre"

Visit "La plaza 24 se Septiembre", Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 morgesorbe Says:  You have to visit "La Plaza". It is situated in the middle of the town, it's a pretty garden with a lot of things to do. There's many restaurants and pubs, you can visit the beautiful cathedral ant many other things. You can do some shopping at the "shopping bolivar."There's... 

Weird market fest.

Weird market fest., Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Totakeke Says:  A little past the Lagoon you will stumble upon a whole new world, inhabited by market stalls. Its mental!!! They sell everything here I swear! Rows upon rows of stalls with smattering of food vendors and chicken restaurants. We went to a place that outside looked like a... 

Chess on the Plaza!

Chess on the Plaza!, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Totakeke Says:  There are marble chess tables situated all around the Plaza 24 Septembre which is so cool! The area is beautiful, clean and safe (Lots of guards nearby). The plaza is a great way to while away an hour or so when the weather is warm, and if youre getting a bit nippy sitting... 

The Lagoon.

The Lagoon., Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Totakeke Says:  You can hire a paddle boat on the Lagoon for roughly 80p (8 bs). Its fun but hardwork as the boats have seen better days :) There will usually be people on the shore offering to take your picture with a polaroid if thats your thing. 

Samaipata

Samaipata, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 realde14 Says:  It is around Santa Cruz is where the more interesting places can be found. The village of Samaipata, 120 kilometres away from Santa Cruz, on the foothills of the Cordillera at 1600 metres is a pleasant little town that is near to the Pre-Inka ruins of El Fuerte. El Fuerte... 

Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the Catedral

Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the Catedral, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 realde14 Says:  As mentioned, the city of Santa Cruz has very little attractions. One of the few is the main square plaza 24 de septiembre and the adjacent Cathedral. 

Hotels  

House Inn And Suites

 7 Opinions

Restaurants  

Bar Irlandes: Mmmmm Ham n Cheese Toastie

Bar Irlandes: Mmmmm Ham n Cheese Toastie, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Totakeke Says:  The Pub/ Restaurant situated on the Plaza de 24 Septembre is on the second floor of a shopping centre, its easily spotted though due to a massive sign. Staff are very nice, efficient and the food doesnt take long to arrive. They serve a large variety of alcoholic drinks and... 

Good food, service less so.: Picolo

Good food, service less so.: Picolo, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Totakeke Says:  Mainly an Icecream place, Picolo also does i wide selection of hot foods such as Empanadas, omelettes, breakfasts and main meals. Food is delicious and the icecream is the nicest Ive ever had, staff are friendly but after going there a few times they seemed to single us out... 

Nightlife  

Several: Boulevard Montsenor Rivera

Several: Boulevard Montsenor Rivera, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 realde14 Says:  There are several excellent cafes lining this Boulevard. If you are not in the mood for the crazy Reggeaton style parties on San Martin, Montsenor Rivera is an excellent alternative to sit down enjoy a beer and watch people. 

Irish Pub: Irish Pub

Irish Pub: Irish Pub, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 realde14 Says:  It is a little bit for tourists (of which there are few in Santa Cruz), but the Irish Pub is also very well frequented by the local youth. Centrally located on the plaza de 24 de septiembre, it is a good choice for some music, beer and food casual 

Several: Avenida San Martin in Equipetrol

Several: Avenida San Martin in Equipetrol, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 realde14 Says:  I was extremely surprised at the super busy nightlife in Santa Cruz. I had no idea!Along the Avenida San Martin in Equipetrol you will find one bar/club after another, music blaring, a constant flow of cars and people. There is not a particular place I can recommend, but if... 

Elegua Salsa dancing in Boliva: Salsa Dancing Sta Cruz Thurs., Fri. & Sat. nights

Elegua Salsa dancing in Boliva: Salsa Dancing Sta Cruz  Thurs., Fri. & Sat. nights, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 Prinsalsita Says:  one of the only 2 salsa spots in Santa Cruz.Dancers of all levels get together to dance., mostly cuban style salsa. There is a tiled dance floor that is sometimes slipery if it was super cleaned.There are salsa lessons now and then casual to anything 

Transportation  

Flying
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

andal13 1287 reviews

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has an important international airport (called Viru-Viru); it is the main Bolivian airport. Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano is the national airline, which has national and international flights.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra tiene un aeropuerto internacional importante (llamado Viru-Viru); es el principal aeropuerto de Bolivia. Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano es la aerolínea nacional, que realiza vuelos nacionales e internacionales.

Written Oct 15, 2003

Website: http://www.labairlines.com/

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Shopping  

Handicrafts
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Local pottery

What to buy: There are several shops where you can find local handicrafts, with a deep native touch, especially pottery, musical instruments, silver stuff, wool clothes, wood carving.
Santa Cruz have important mines, so semiprecious stones, like amethyst, aquamarine, quartz, opal, and many other, can be bought in the city jeweleries.

Hay varios comercios en donde se pueden encontrar artesanías locales, con un profundo toque nativo, especialmente alfarería, instrumentos musicales, objetos de plata, tallas de madera. Santa Cruz tiene minas importantes, por lo que se pueden comprar piedras semipreciosas como amatistas, aguamarinas, cuarzos, ópalos y muchas otras, en las joyerías de la ciudad.

Updated Jul 25, 2003

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Local Customs  

Public phones
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andal13 1287 reviews
Public phone

Public phones are really great! They are not inside graceless callboxes, like everywhere; they are inside typical birds!!!!

¡Los teléfonos públicos están buenísimos! No están metidos dentro de cabinas sin gracia, como en todas partes; están dentro de aves típicas!!!

Updated Jul 25, 2003

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Off The Beaten Path  

Cute little parks

Cute little parks, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 angelayjose Says:  There are many cute little parks everywhere. Also, there are many statues. They are of crosses, Jesus, dinosaurs, and other things. All the parks have their own uniqueness to them. You must check them out. 

The river

The river, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 angelayjose Says:  Unfortunately, I dont know the name or where it is, but there is a river in Santa Cruz. When you enter, on both sides there are huts where you can eat, dance, or drink a beer. You can also rent 4 wheelers (about 80 Bolivianos an hour) which comes to less than $10. You can... 

Favorites  

Weather in Santa Cruz

Weather in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 monica_pons Says:   Santa Cruz has a tropical weather, humid and warm but take care with the Sur. It’s a win that comes from Argentina and can change the temperature from 25ºC to 12ºC in one hour. 

Qollas and Cambas

Qollas and Cambas, Santa Cruz de la Sierra

 monica_pons Says:   Santa Cruz is a mix of races, Qollas and Cambas or Cruceños.I were taking some pictures from Santa Cruz and a Camba shouted me that it was better to take monument pictures than Qolla people. For the Cambas the Qollas are the lower class. I didn’t take any monument picture... 

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Map of Santa Cruz de la Sierra