This active Bolivian economic center has colonial plazas, local food markets, and the towering Cristo de la Concordia statue. Try chuflay drinks at Zona Sur's bars.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia's largest city, lies in the eastern tropical lowlands near the Andes. Walk through the white-painted Metropolitan Cathedral at Plaza 24 de Septiembre, spot jaguars at the Santa Cruz Zoo, or hike among giant ferns in Amboró National Park. The city's year-round warm climate makes it an excellent starting point for exploring both the Amazon rainforest and experiencing contemporary Bolivian culture.
Getting Around Santa Cruz
The city uses a unique ring road system with ten concentric circles. You'll find most points of interest within the fourth ring. Take microbuses 17 and 18 along the first ring, or 72 and 73 on the second ring. While taxis run frequently within the fourth ring, it's best to stay within this area after dark and avoid traveling alone to outer zones.
Weather and When to Visit
Temperatures in Santa Cruz stay around 25°C (77°F) throughout the year. Heavy rains fall in December and January, while cold fronts from the south can bring quick temperature drops during winter (June-August). Plan your visit between April and October for dry, mild weather.
Plaza 24 de Septiembre Area
Plaza 24 de Septiembre marks the center of Santa Cruz's old town. Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, you can see intricate wooden vaults and a silver altar dating from colonial times. Local chess players gather at tables across the plaza each afternoon. Walk through the surrounding streets to see 18th-century buildings with arched walkways that shield pedestrians from weather.
Markets and Food
Visit Mercado Nuevo and Mercado del Abasto to shop alongside locals. Sample majao, a local dish of dried meat served with rice and fried eggs, or warm up with sopa de maní, a hearty peanut soup filled with vegetables. Look for achachairú at the fruit stalls - this small orange fruit grows only in this region of Bolivia.
Natural Areas Near the City
Head to Lomas de Arena Regional Park, 12 kilometers south, to try sandboarding on natural dunes. Take the walking trails through the Santa Cruz Botanical Garden's 186 hectares of subtropical forest. The garden's waterways often have capybaras lounging on the banks and caimans swimming in the ponds.
Day Trips from Santa Cruz
Drive 120 kilometers southwest to explore El Fuerte de Samaipata, where you can walk among pre-Columbian carved rocks and ceremonial spaces built by Inca and Chane peoples. Visit Cotoca, a 40-minute drive away, on Sundays to experience its weekly market where local artisans sell traditional crafts.
Getting To and From Santa Cruz
Fly into Viru Viru International Airport, which connects with major South American cities and serves as Bolivia's primary international hub. Take buses to La Paz (18 hours), Cochabamba (10 hours), and other Bolivian destinations. The train to the Brazilian border, nicknamed the "Death Train," runs less frequently than flights but gives you a different perspective of the landscape.
