Santa Cruz de la Sierra - Bolivia Travel Information

Santa Cruz de la Sierra city serves as a starting point for various tours.

Getting to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is well connected with the rest of Bolivia and neighboring countries. Several airlines operate domestic and international flights in its Viru Viru International Airport.

From the Santa Cruz bus terminal you can travel to La Paz in 16 hours, Cochabamba in 10 hours, Trinidad in 12 hours, Valle Grande in 6 hours. There are also services to Yacuiba and Bermejo at the border with Argentina and Asuncion in Paraguay.

The center of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra is formed by the Plaza 24 de Septiembre, around which rise significant buildings, many of them of colonial architectural style. The most important buildings around the Plaza are the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Departmental Prefectures, the City Hall, and the Casa de la Cultura.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo, was built in 1770. Inside the vault highlight the timber dome and the decorative frescoes. The altar and various decorative elements come from the Jesuit mission of San Pedro de Moxos.

Inside the Cathedral works the Sacred Cathedral Art Museum, where visitors find a varied collection of religious art divided into four rooms: wood carvings, liturgical ornaments, silver objects and art gallery. Many of these elements belonged to the Jesuit missions.

 

 

 

Visit Santa Cruz de la Sierra City

Also facing the square, you will find the Casa de la Cultura. The site was opened in 1978 and it's an important cultural and arts center in Santa Cruz. Inside you can find lectures, plays, concerts, workshops and courses, film screenings, photo exhibitions, painting and sculpture. The center works with local, national and foreign artists. Inside there’s also a souvenir shop.

Botanical Gardens are other sight to see in Santa Cruz. There you can find over a thousand species of plants and trees, and the Noel Kempf Mercado Zoo, where you can see examples of local fauna, as the spectacled bear, macaws or lazy monkey in semi-free status.

In stifling hot days, visiting the Aqualand Water Park and Playland can be a good option.

Around Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Jesuit Missions

The Jesuit Missions in Bolivia are the only ones still standing for over 300 years in the whole South America continent, located in the region known as Chiquitos. The missions are San Jose, Santa Ana, San Rafael, San Miguel, San Ignacio, Concepcion and San Xavier. In 1991, the Jesuit Missions of Bolivia were declared "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.

Espejillos

Espejillos (little mirrors) is located 40 km. from Santa Cruz. It's a place to enjoy the outdoors and bathing in crystal clear rivers and waterfalls. It's a walk prevalent among families in the city looking for a little rest.

Porongo

Porongo is a small and peaceful village 18 km. out of the city of Santa Cruz. The town retains the atmosphere and customs of the population and a picturesque eighteenth century old church.