Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the most populous city in Bolivia and one of the most modern as it is the commercial and financial center of the country. The city is famous for its friendly atmosphere, lively nightlife, historical and cultural background, and the exuberant nature that surrounds it all. Its streets are full of bustling markets and beautiful parks, such as Güembé Park, and nearby you’ll find the Amboró National Park nature reserve. There are so many things to see in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
In this post you can read about all the points of interest in and around the city, and many other travel tips to help you get around the country. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a fascinating destination for lovers of culture, nature and adventure. And although it is not the most touristy stop in the country, we recommend spending at least one day there.
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What are the best places to visit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
1. 24 de Septiembre Square
The emblematic Plaza del 24 de Septiembre is a meeting point and reference for residents and visitors of the city. It is surrounded by impressive colonial, as well as more modern buildings. It is a space full of life and activities where cultural events, concerts and festivals are usually held. In the center you can also see the statue of the founder of the city, Ignacio Warnes. In the square there are benches and green spaces that create a quiet atmosphere that invites you to rest and relax after a long day of sightseeing.
2. Markets in the city
The markets of Santa Cruz de la Sierra are part of its identity and are a great place to see the city in its purest form. The most famous markets are the Mercado de la Ramada, Las Siete Calle and the Mercado de Abasto. You will also find small street stalls scattered throughout the city.
3. Cathedral of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
In the 24 de Septiembre square stands the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, an impressive building that has become a religious and architectural symbol in Bolivia. Its style is neo-Renaissance and is characterized by imposing white facade and towers, which stand out in the urban landscape. And you even can climb there.
Once inside you will be surprised by its majestic interior with beautiful stained glass windows, frescoes and ornamental details. The cathedral also houses valuable works of sacred art and is a regular place of pilgrimage for the religious people.
4. Güembé Biocenter
In the middle of the city we find a small tropical oasis where nature and local biodiversity come together in a unique space. This extensive park has lush gardens, waterfalls, lagoons and a variety of species of flora and fauna. In addition, it houses a butterfly house and an aviary with an impressive collection of exotic species.
In the park visitors can stroll along the trails, ride boats, swim in the natural pools and rest in the relaxation areas. If you go with children (and if you don’t) it’s a must-stop on your trip to Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
5. Museums in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
In the center of the city and especially around the 24 de Septiembre square you will find numerous cultural centers and museums, such as the Museum of Independence or the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Museum of Contemporary Art houses cultural heritage since the mid-twentieth century, a collection of more than 300 works of painting, sculpture, drawing and engraving, both Bolivian and foreign artists. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, except Mondays when they close and Saturdays when it opens at 4:00 pm. General admission is 4.5€.
And the Independence Museum is the best place to learn about the country’s history. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
1. Lomas de Arena Park
This impressive sand dune park stretches across acres, creating a unique landscape where visitors can explore meandering trails through the dunes and discover the diverse flora and fauna of the area. You can also take bike rides, and go sandboarding.
The park is especially well known among bird lovers as you can sight more than 200 species. We recommend watching the sunset from the dunes, it’s really beautiful.
The entrance to the dunes costs 1,5€.
2. Semipata
Semipata is a town noted for the fact that a large part of its population are foreigners who came to visit and decided to stay. There you can visit the Fort of Semipata, considered Heritage of Humanity for its archaeological value.
At the station of Santa Cruz de la Sierra you can take a shared bus or cab for 30Bs. The trip takes almost 3h.
What to see in 1 day in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
One day is more than enough to discover the city and all its charms. Most tourists who travel to Bolivia land in this city, but usually continue their trip without stopping to know it. We recommend that you spend a few hours there and soak up the culture that permeates its streets.
As we have seen above, there are a lot of things to see in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, such as its cultural centers and museums, or the numerous markets that flood its streets. If you stay a couple of days longer, you can visit the surrounding dunes and Amboró National Park.
Where and what to eat in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a delicious cuisine with indigenous influences, Creole and other regions of the country in which rice and chicken abound. In addition, being a cosmopolitan city, it has a great gastronomic offer, both local and international. Some of the most characteristic dishes are the Majadito (rice with vegetables and meat), Locro cruceño (corn and meat soup), Cuñapé (cheese bread) or Picaña (meat stew) among many others.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite restaurants in the city:
- Casa Caramba: is one of the best places to try the local cuisine, plus, they offer a tasting menu so you can try several elaborations. It’s a chain, so it’s quick and good value.
- El Aljibe: This is a cozy restaurant with typical food of the area and where you’ll eat well.
- Cabañas del río Piraí: west of the city, on the banks of the Piraí River we find some of the best places to try the local cuisine, dishes like peanut soup or ‘ají de lengua’ (a spicy traditional Bolivian stew).
Where to stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra can be a dangerous place at night, so it is recommended to look for accommodation in the safest areas and avoid going out at night. The best neighborhood to stay is the center of the city, the area with more services and better prepared for tourists. You can also stay in the northern neighborhoods such as Equipetrol, Sirari or San Carlos. In the surrounding neighborhoods you will also find cheaper accommodations, but not as safe. We are talking, for example, about the area of the Pozos market. Here we leave you a list with some places where you can sleep in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Nomad Hostel: is a simple hostel with a garden, shared lounge, terrace and restaurant. The rooms are also air-conditioned. The price per night starts at 9€ in a shared room.
- Premium Suites Deluxe Aparthotel Equipetrol: this is a luxury apartment complex with shared pool. The price of the apartment starts from 49€ per night and breakfast costs 10€.
- La Siesta Hotel: this cozy 3-star hotel is a perfect choice for traveling as a couple or family. It has a small courtyard with swimming pool, 24h reception and free parking. The price per night is around 55€ and breakfast is included.
How to get to Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the country’s largest international airport and your first stop if you are traveling from Europe. But if you are traveling from the neighboring countries, there are many other ways to get there. Here are all the options available to get to and around the city:
- Airplane: Bolivia’s main airport is Viru Viru International Airport (VVI), where several airlines offer direct flights from different Latin American cities and some connections from Europe.
- Bus: if you are in other cities in Bolivia, such as La Paz or Cochabamba, you can choose to travel by road to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. There are different bus companies that offer regular and comfortable services between these cities. The price is around 32€. From the surrounding countries there are also bus routes, but the journeys take many hours, even more than 24 hours.
- Car: another option is to rent a car. This option offers the most freedom.
Within the city you will be able to move around by public transport, either by bus, shared cabs called trufis or normal taxis. In the center you can get around on foot without problems.
What should I consider before traveling to Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- No visa is required to enter Bolivia for Spanish citizens, but you need a passport valid for at least 6 months.
- The country is not the safest, so it is recommended to avoid going out at night, do not expose valuables in public places and be aware of your belongings.
- The official language in Bolivia is Spanish.
- The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano.
- It is best to change money before starting your trip, there are stores and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
- The climate in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is tropical, which means that temperatures are mild.
- Tap water is safe to drink in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Santa Cruz de la Sierra
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- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to have everything always at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips to Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Enjoy your trip to Santa Cruz de la Sierra!
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Santa Cruz de la Sierra
The best time to travel to Santa Cruz de la Sierra is between April and June.
The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano.
One day is enough to see the city, but it is recommended to stay at least three days to see the surrounding area as well.
The climate is tropical, with mild temperatures varying between summer and winter.
Some of the most characteristic dishes are the Majadito (rice with vegetables and meat), Locro cruceño (corn and meat soup), Cuñapé (cheese bread) or la Picaña (meat stew) among many others.
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