City Santa Cruz de la Sierra - Bolivia

Tourism in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is one of the main cities of Bolivia, located in the east, its inhabitants are known as "cambas". The city of tropical climate has important industries, as well as places of entertainment, restaurants, museums and cultural centers.

Santa Cruz is a city that serves as a starting point for different excursions.

How to get to Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is very well connected with the rest of Bolivia and bordering countries. Viru Viru International Airport operates several national and international airlines.

From the Bus Terminal of Santa Cruz you can travel to La Paz in 16 hours, to Cochabamba in 10 hours, to Trinidad in 12 hours, to Vallegrande in 6 hours. There are also services to Yacuiba and Bermejo on the border with Argentina and Asunción in Paraguay.

By Train (Expreso Oriental) communicates Santa Cruz with Puerto Quijarro on the border with Brazil.

Visit to Santa Cruz

The center of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra is formed by the Plaza 24 de Septiembre, around which rise important buildings, many of them colonial style, buildings of colonial style. The most important buildings around the Plaza are the Metropolitan Cathedral, Departmental Prefecture, City Hall, House of Culture.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo, was built in 1770. Inside, the wooden vaults and decorative frescoes stand out. The main altar and several decorative elements come from the Jesuit mission of San Pedro de Moxos.

Trip to Santa Cruz

Within the Cathedral operates the Cathedral Museum of Sacred Art, where visitors will find a varied collection of religious art divided into four rooms: wood carvings, liturgical ornaments, silverware and art gallery. Many elements belonging to the Jesuit missions.

Also in front of the square is the House of Culture, the place was established in 1978 and is an important center for culture and the arts. Inside, talks, plays, concerts, workshops and courses, film screenings, photography, painting and sculpture exhibitions are held. The Center works with local, national and foreign artists. In addition inside it works a souvenir shop.

Other walks to take place in the city is the visit to the Botanical Garden where you can see more than a thousand species of plants and trees, and the Noel Kempf Mercado Zoo where you can see specimens of the local fauna in semi-freedom condition like the spectacled bear, Macaws or lazy.

Also on days of oppressive heat a good option may be to visit the Aqualand and Playland Water Parks.

Walks and excursions from Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Jesuit Missions

The Jesuit Missions in Bolivia are the only ones that still exist in South America after more than 300 years of their foundations. They are located in the region known as Chiquitos. The missions are those of San Jose, Santa Ana, San Rafael, San Miguel, San Ignacio, Concepción and San Xavier. In 1991, the Jesuit Missions of Bolivia were declared as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO.

Espejillos

Espejillos is located 40 km away. of Santa Cruz. It is a place to enjoy the outdoors and the baths in crystalline rivers and waterfalls. It's a frequent walk among the families of the city looking for a little rest. + See more of Espejillos

Porongo

Porongo is a small and peaceful village at 18 km. from the city of Santa Cruz. The town preserves the atmosphere and customs of the towns of yesteryear and a picturesque 18th century church.