Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia: travel guide
Bolivia's lowland hub, near Jesuit missions and Amboró
Bolivia's largest and most prosperous city, a hot lowland business hub with a relaxed tropical vibe, ring-road layout and gateway to the Jesuit Missions and Amboró.
About Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a large, warm lowland city, quite different in feel from the highland cities of Bolivia. It is the country's main commercial centre, laid out in rings around a central plaza, and its climate and atmosphere are more tropical.
The Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the Catedral Basílica de San Lorenzo form the old centre, and the Biocentro Güembé is a green park with butterflies and orchids. Beyond the city, the Fuerte de Samaipata, a pre-Hispanic ceremonial site, and the cloud forests of Amboró National Park make good day trips, and the Jesuit missions of Chiquitania lie to the east.
Santa Cruz suits travellers using it as a gateway to the lowlands. The drier months, from May to October, are more comfortable.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB
- Time zone
- America/La_Paz
- Nearest airport
- SRZ
Last updated
Plan a Santa Cruz de la Sierra trip
Top places to visit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Plaza 24 de Septiembre
square · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The leafy main square of Santa Cruz, full of sloths in the trees, ringed by the cathedral and colonial arcades.
Catedral Basílica de San Lorenzo
church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Santa Cruz's 19th-century cathedral on the main square, with a climbable bell tower and a small religious museum.
Biocentro Güembé
eco park · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A lush eco-park with the world's largest butterfly dome, orchids, aviaries and natural pools on the city edge.
El Fuerte de Samaipata
archaeology · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-listed pre-Columbian ceremonial site carved into a giant sandstone rock, 120 km west of Santa Cruz.
Parque Nacional Amboró
national park · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A biodiverse national park where the Andes meet the Amazon, with cloud forest, giant ferns and abundant birdlife.
Things to do
- Samaipata & El Fuerte Day Trip Day Trip · 9 h · from BOB 450 per person
- Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos Tour Cultural · 48 h · from BOB 900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Samaipata & El Fuerte Day Trip 10 h · from BOB 450
Where to stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- Equipetrol about BOB 550 per night
Santa Cruz's upscale district for hotels, restaurants and nightlife, north-west of the centre.
- Centro about BOB 400 per night
The historic core around Plaza 24 de Septiembre, walkable and close to the cathedral and museums.
Hotels
- Hotel Cortez 4-star · BOB 550 to BOB 750 per night
- Jodanga Backpackers Hostel 2-star · BOB 95 to BOB 320 per night
- Los Tajibos Hotel & Convention Center 5-star · BOB 1,500 to BOB 2,400 per night
Where to eat
- Jardín de Asia Asian, Fusion · about BOB 250 per person
- Casa del Camba Bolivian, Grill · about BOB 95 per person
- Los Hierros Steakhouse, Bolivian · about BOB 120 per person
Getting to Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Airport: Santa Cruz (VVI)
Getting around
- Bus
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Express taxi robbery
Street taxis at night, near terminals
Unlicensed cabs detour to rob passengers or force ATM withdrawals.
How to avoid it: Use app-based ride-hailing (Yango) or hotel-arranged cars at night; avoid hailing on the street.
ATM card skimming
Standalone street ATMs
Skimming devices and "helpful" strangers capture card data and PINs.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks or malls, cover the keypad, and watch for anyone hovering.
More in Bolivia
Frequently asked questions about Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- The highest-rated places in our Santa Cruz de la Sierra guide are Catedral Basílica de San Lorenzo, Biocentro Güembé, Plaza 24 de Septiembre, El Fuerte de Samaipata.
- Where should I stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra: Equipetrol, Centro.
- How do I get around Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- Ways to get around Santa Cruz de la Sierra covered in our guide: City bus, Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- Scams reported to us for Santa Cruz de la Sierra include Express taxi robbery; ATM card skimming. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
- The nearest airport to Santa Cruz de la Sierra has the code SRZ.