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Santa Cruz Bolivia
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Santa Cruz Bolivia lies in the tropical low lands of eastern Bolivia. The city is also known as Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Santa Cruz is by far Bolivia’s most modern city and resembles more of a city in Brazil.
If arriving to Santa Cruz from the west, such as La Paz, you'll notice that Santa Cruz is not your typical Bolivian city. It is culturally very different from the Andean region around La Paz.
In Santa Cruz you'll find people of many different backgrounds. You'll see people with European, Arabian, and Japanese backgrounds. Also, there are many poor Andean migrants wearing their traditional costumes that look out of place in the tropical heat.
Santa Cruz is the wealthiest city in Bolivia. The city has continued to grow economically and demographically at a fast rate. Though the city is still dominated with old colonial buildings, you'll find new residential and commercial buildings going up everywhere, as well as big American corporations with offices there.
Tourists use Santa Cruz as a base from which to visit some of its attractions outside the city, such as:
El Fuerte de Samaipata:
Visit the ancient Inca ruins in Samaipata, about a two hour drive west of Santa Cruz through the foothills of the Andean Mountains, where you'll see incredible scenery on the way.
Jesuit Missions tour:
If your interests are 16th & 17th century history, visit the beautiful, historical churches on the Jesuit Missions. The trip focuses on art, religion, culture, architecture, & history as you visit beautiful landscapes around numerous small towns.
Noel Kempff National Park: If you have time on hand, visit this National Park in the Amazon basin Located about 250 miles (400 Km) northeast of Santa Cruz. You'll discover amazing scenery in this diverse region such waterfalls, rivers, and protected wildlife such as exotic birds, caimans, pink river dolphins, monkeys, etc.
Amboro National Park is about a three hour drive northwest of Santa Cruz just off the main road to Cochahamba, where you'll find one of the most pristine and diverse tropical habitats in the world.
Pantanal is the world's largest wetland and has the world's richest collection of aquatic plant. It spreads across Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. You can go on exiting excursions through the Pantanal to spot countless wildlife.
If your in Santa Cruz for business or don't have time to adventure out of the city, you'll find that the city offers a wide variety of attractions and entertainment within the city. Click Here for some things to do within the city of Santa Cruz
Getting There & Away
By airSanta Cruz's international airport is called Viru Viru International Airport (VVI). This is Bolivia's largest, nicest and busiest airport. When leaving on a departing flight out of Santa Cruz to a different destination there is an airport departure tax of $23 for international flights, 15Bs ($2)for domestic flights.
From the U.S. & Canada American Airlines leaves from Miami and they stop in La Paz to drop off/pick up passengers and then to Santa Cruz to drop off/pick up passengers and back to Miami again. Recently they have started offering direct flights from Miami to Santa Cruz. Aerosur now offers direct flights between Miami and Santa Cruz a few times a week.
From the U.K. and Europe. there are no direct flights from the United Kingdom to Bolivia at this time. But there are a couple of options. U.K. travelers can take American Airlines direct flight from London to Miami, and then Miami to Santa Cruz. Another option would be to get on flight from London to Brazil and then Brazil to Bolivia.
There are also direct flights between Spain and Santa Cruz every week, on both Aerosur and other European airlines.
From Australia the easiest way to to get to Bolivia is take Aerolineas Argentinas. They fly from Sydney to Buenos Aires and then onward to Santa Cruz. Another option, but long is take Qantas Airlines from Australia to Los Angeles. Then Los Angeles to Miami and Miami to Santa Cruz.
From South America There are many flights daily between Santa Cruz and other South American countries. Most South American airlines TACA, TAM, LAN, and others serve Viru Viru International airport as well Bolivia's airlines Aerosur and Lloyd Aéreo Bolivia. Gol airlines out of Brazil just recently added flights to Santa Cruz, and Aerolinea Argentina out of Buenos Aires has good deals to Santa Cruz. There are also flights from Peru to Bolivia.
From the airport, you can take a taxi or minibus into the city or make arrangements with your hotel to send a taxi for you. Browse for hotels in Santa Cruz. The rate for a taxi into central Santa Cruz is 50Bs ($6). Minibuses depart every 20 minutes and run most of the day. Minibus costs about 8Bs ($1) and passengers are dropped off at the bus terminal in the city. You can also get a car rental.
By Bus
Buses from La Paz usually arrive in the morning. The 18 hour journey costs $15 (120Bs). Buses from Cochabamba take about 10 hours and cost $10 (80Bs). Buses from Sucre take 15 hours and cost $10 (80Bs). The Santa Cruz bus terminal on Avenida Cañoto and Avenida Irala is a chaotic scene. The bus station is crowded with hundreds of people at all hours of the day, and there is no central information office, so you have to figure out on your own where your bus is leaving from. Also, not all the buses leave from the main terminal. Many buses depart from offices across the street from the terminal.
Getting Around
Santa Cruz is a circular city, the city's street layout consists of 9 "rings" or "anillos" that wrap around and form the main roads of the city. The first ring circles the city center and you'll reach other rings the farther you move out of the city center. Click Here for a Map of Santa Cruz.Within the city center, around Plaza 14 de Septiembre, is easily covered on foot. This is where all the banks, shops, eateries, money exchange places, and the main tourist attractions are located.
By Taxi
Generally taxis cost about 15BS to 23Bs ($2 to $3) to bring you between 2 or 3 rings. Tourist should look for a Radio Movil Taxi. They are the safest and most reliable taxi company.
Micros (mini-buses)
Micros or mini-buses are the most common form of transportation for local Bolivians and are usually packed with locals. You'll find many micros driving along the streets and notice how crazy traffic is in the city. Micros usually have routes within each certain ring and make frequent stops along the way or when they are flagged down. Micros usually costs about 2Bs to 3Bs.
Hotels & Accommodations
Santa Cruz offers a wide variety of hotels that will suit many different types of travelers, from the 5-star hotel to the budget hotels. Click Here for a list of Hotels in Santa Cruz.Places to Eat
One of the favorites among tourists is a restaurant called Casa del Camba. The restaurant has amazing food and a great atmosphere. The restaurant's theme gives you a 100 years ago in Santa Cruz feel, where waiters wear a straw hat, white shirt and black pants. The food is authentic Bolivia cuisine, where you can eat varieties of meat, rice and vegetables. The restaurant now has two locations, one on Ave. Cristobal de Mendoza in the city and the new one just across Rio Piray, that has great sights of the river.Santa Cruz offers a wide variety of different food options. You can find many International cuisines as well as the local food. Click Here for other Places to Eat in Santa Cruz
Nightlife
One of the best reasons for visiting Santa Cruz is to experience the delightful diversity of Santa Cruz's nightlife. Read more on Santa Cruz's Nightlife.Interesting Trivia
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