Santa Cruz (city, Bolivia)

17° 47' 36.74" S 63° 11' 21.57" W [-17.7935, -63.1893] (KML)

In contrast to La Paz [S] and the other major Bolivian cities located high in the Andes, Santa Cruz [S] lies at an altitude of 416 meters, and its climate is distinctly tropical.

If you arrive during carnival it is almost impossible to change money as everything except markets, restaurants and internet cafes are closed. Traders will accept U.S. dollars but at half the going rate. Also be prepared to be pelted with ink filled water balloons, soaked with water bombs and covered in string spray. Wear clothes you don`t mind having permanently stained.

The bus station listed in the Santa Cruz [S] web site is no longer in use. The new one (half completed) is a 15 Bs taxi fare from the centre of town. Of the three hostels listed with 24 hour reception, the only one that does is on tres pasos, a couple of km out of the city center.

The "death train" (so named because of its history in transporting Yellow Fever victims) runs on bumpy tracks from Quijarro, close to Corumbá on the Brazilian side. There is a variety of different trains offering different classes and prices. The journey takes 16-22 hours. The most comfortable option, with cama seats, is the "Ferrobus" (Tues, Thurs, Sat) which at time of writing (April 2010) cost 250Bs per person. Contrary to what is written in many guidebooks, tickets can be purchased days in advance at the station (Terminal Bimodal). Biting insects are plentiful, so get repellent before you go.

The railway between Santa Cruz [S] and Quijarro is operated by Ferroviaria Oriental S.A. [1].

From Corumbá the bus-ride to Sao Paulo takes about 24 hours more.

Viru Viru International Airport [S] (IATA: VVI, ICAO: SLVR) is Bolivia's largest and most modern airport, and a hub for BOA as well as the popular but expensive AeroSur. They offer direct flights from Miami to Santa Cruz [S] a few times a week. They also offer flights from Madrid to Santa Cruz.

El Trompillo Airport [S] (IATA: SRZ, ICAO: SLET) is the city's military airport, and is used by TAM airlines for internal flights (to Cochabamba [S] [M] and Sucre [M], for example). Trompillo is closer to the city center, and is thus a cheaper taxi ride.

Major airlines have daily flights to Santa Cruz de la Sierra [S], mainly from La Paz [S] (about 4 flights per day: early in the morning, in the afternoon, early in the evening and late in the night). From Cochabamba [S] [M] (about 2 flights per day). Flights to international cities is also daily, (Sao Paulo, Brasil - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lima, Peru - etc. there are daily flights). American Airlines has daily service to and from Miami.

About Bolivian airlines and flying within Bolivia: Bolivia#Get_around

There are many bus companies from another cities, like Cochabamba [S] [M], La Paz [S], Sucre [M], Trinidad, that go to Santa Cruz de la Sierra [S]. You can arrive from La Paz in about 18 hours, and it takes about 10 hours from Cochabamba. The Bolivia Vice-Ministry of Tourisum has a bus schedules on their website: [2]. Look under Destinations and the area you are interested in traveling.

Micro 17 circulates the first ring. To get to the center from Parque Urbano take Micro 69 or 100.

Shared Taxis circulate the rings as well. Look for the signs on the roof. Faster than Micros.

Fare for both is 1.50 Bs.

In Santa Cruz [S] you can book some great excursions, like a trekking in Park Amboro [S], Noel Kempff [S], a river boat trip in the Amazon [S] region, cultural excursions to the Jesuit Missions [S] etc.

A good and reliable tour agency is Dutch owned Ruta Verde [S] [3]. They are located 3 blocks from the plaza, Calle 21 de Mayo 332.

Santa Cruz [S] hosts one of the most famous soccer academy in the world. "Academia de Futbol Tahuichi Aguilera". Their unique and original way of training young soccer players to become professionals in the future. They train in rivers and ran through mountains of sand. Young players from all over the world come to this academy to experience its training method.

There are several good restaurants in the north of the city.

• Picolo's is one of the local favorites. There, you can get some of the best ice cream in Santa Cruz [S]. Look for the small Jesus statute on your tourist maps, most of them are in the Avenida Monseñór Rivero.

• Casa del Camba [S] on the second ring, Tel: 342-7864. Excellent outdoor style restuarant with option to eat indoors as well. Has live music and dance floor with a traditional Santa Cruz [S]

• Michelango's, Calle Warnes and Chuquisaca. Serves excellent Italian style food in a great atmosphere.

• The Irish Pub [S] in the main plaza is a great place for meeting other tourists, locals, watching sports on TV and enjoying good food, beer, music and a cozy atmosphere. Although service can be slow at times it is still a great place to hang out and there are balconys that have wonderful views looking onto the main plaza.

• Pasteleria Glamour [S] [4]is probably the BEST Cafeteria for a late afternoon tea with typical small snacks and cakes. Located some four blocks south of the "Plaza", on Calle Independencia. Phone 333-6633, may deliver to radiotaxi.

• There are two vegetarian restaurants to be found in one single street. The service isn´t great, but hardcore veggies will be happy there.

• Another good tip for small snacks and eating are the Cafeterias, Cake and Ice stores in the Avenida Ayacucho (more or less the corner España) - Dumbo [S] is quite good.
• Design Center, Second Ring between René Moreno St. and Monseñor Santiestevan St.. There is a big food court with a lot of fast-food options: from vegetarian salads to Argentine-style grilled steaks. Inside the mall, you can also found several stores of famous brands: Calvin Klein, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch...  
• Los Lomitos:. A delicious steakhouse offering a mix of traditional Argentine and Bolivian cuisine for a good price.  
• Fridolin. is a lovely pastry and coffee bistro (it also serves lunch) that has excellent desserts.  
• Alexander's Cafe:, (2 locations: on Junín, 1 block West of central Plaza; and on Monsenor Avenue.). A slightly pricey but delicious café that offers good food (including vegetarian options) and fair trade coffee. Like Starbucks, it's a great place to hang out for a few hours with their WiFi.  
• Yogenfruz, (Located in the Cine Center food court and also on the Monseñor...). Sells wonderful frozen yogurt that rivals all the other ice cream shops in the city! You can choose your fruit and watch them make it for you.  
• Bits and Cream, (Canoto, inside Cine Center, near the central Plaza). Similar to Cold Stone Creamery in America, you pick you flavors of ice cream, toppings and they will mix it up for you. Sometimes they even throw your ice cream across the room and catch it for you!  
• Pollo Moderno. Don't miss out on the chance to eat what most Bolivian families go out to eat for! Though restaurants selling pollo a la broasted abound, this is just one particularly good one. Chicken comes with rice, platano, and French fries.  
• El Mandarin, (Avenida Irala). Delicious Chinese food, offering excellent service and a clean, pleasing atmosphere. Other great choices include Shanghai and Palacio del Dragon [S].  
• Sopa y Segundo. That is actually not the restaurant's name, but while in Santa Cruz, you should definitely not miss out on eating what the locals eat, especially on Sundays. You will find many restaurants (some cleaner than others, I'm sure) offering the traditional soup and second course meal for a very cheap price (around 1 US dollar). Try the sopa de mani (peanut soup) - it's delicious, and milanesa or keperi for the segundo. If you're feeling adventurous, try the lengua -cow tongue!  
• El Pasatiempo. Restaurant serves huge, delicious platters of traditional cruceño food and is served in a pleasing, traditional atmosphere (there's an anaconda skin hanging on one of the walls!).  
• Margarita, (Corner of the Plaza Principal). Easy to miss, this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant offers delicious steaks and pasta dishes.  
• You simply must eat the typical Santa Cruz pastries - empanadas, cuñapes, and salteñas - which are sold in the market places, but also in many restaurants like Wistupiku or Piccolos.
• Café 24, (On SE corner of main plaza). Breakfast, juices, sandwiches, salads, wine, espresso, etc. Nice atmosphere to while away the hours with their WiFi. Can get smoky.  

Avenida Busch is a good place to start a longer night. There are several Pubs there and you are still close to the center. If you want some classic italian cappuccino, espresso, frappuccino or croissant there is the "Espresso del Oriente" Cafe-Pub on Bolivar Street 272 located two and a half blocks far from the main Plaza. A during-the-week runner is the Irish Pub at the main Plaza.

Equipetrol is the party place, try any club or disco there.

Av. Monseñor Rivero is a popular boulevard if you want a coffee or a drink.

There are some hotels close to the bus terminal which is a bit further away from the center. A large Bolivia Hotels and Hostels Directory is www.boliviahostels.com [5], they offer accommodation all over the country and you can make reservations for free.

• Alojamiento Viajero [S] - basic rooms with hard beds for 20 Bs. Next to the Samaipata [S] Taxi company.

• Ambar Hostel (Ambar Hostel), calle Mercado 554 (5 Blocks from main plaza), ☎ +591 3 3358959, [6]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 12:00. Cheap place 5 blocks from the plaza. Clean and large rooms, pool but no water in it, 2 BBQ areas, but no charcoal or implements. No breakfast. 5Bs charge to use the kitchen. single 45 BOB.  

• Hotel Suecia [S] - double rooms from 80 bolivianos

• Jodanga Backpackers Hostel [S] [7] - pool, Jacuzzi, pool table, cable TV - dorms from 55 Bs

• Residencial 7 de Mayo [S] - double rooms 60 bolivianos

• Hotel Bibosi [S] Junín 218, 1 block west of main square. Cheaper rooms are small and dark with only a fan, while more expensive rooms have air con and more light. Includes breakfast, cable TV, WiFi. Singles from $15.

• Hotel Amazonas [S] Junín 214. Despite it's great location and potential, this hotel is rather basic. Balconies with views outside the rooms, but the rooms themselves don't have views. Odd. Still, it's a good simple choice. Singles from $18.

• Hotel Tropical Inn [S] Calle España 351, 3 blocks northwest of main plaza. Tel: 334-6666. Probably the best value 3-star hotel in central Santa Cruz. Clean, large wood-paneled rooms with good beds and A/C. Some rooms have views. All have cable TV, WiFi on every floor. Friendly staff, breakfast on roof included. Singles for 170 Bs, Doubles for 210 Bs.

• Hotel Copacabana [S] Junín 217, 1 block West of the main plaza. Tel: 336-2770. Across the street from Amazonas and Bibosi. Friendly staff, clean and modern rooms with cable TV and WiFi throughout. Rooms are small, however, and the cheaper ones don't offer much privacy. Rooms with fans start at 144 Bs. for a single. Rooms with AirCon more. Simple continental breakfast included.

• Hotel Viru Viru [S] - Junín 338, 2 blocks West of main plaza. Tel: 333-5298. A bit run-down, entire place needs sprucing up. Supposedly has WiFi, but wasn't working when we checked. "Breakfast" included, offerings of which are typically gone by 8:30am. Most rooms have cable TV and air con. The big selling point of this hotel, however, is the pool - the only hotel in town in this price range to have one. Nice on those stifling hot Santa Cruz days. Singles start at $25.

• Hotel Lido, C/ 21 de Mayo esq. Cuellar #527, ☎ 591-3-3363555, [8]. Four star hotel.  

• Senses Boutique Hotel [S] Calle Rene Moreno esq Plaza 24 Septiembre. Claims to be Santa Cruz's only boutique hotel. Overlooks the main plaza and the rooftop bar/restaurant offers a direct view on to the cathedral. Rooftop pool. Decorated in a minimal style. Multi-lingual staff.

If you have a layover in Viru Viru, you can rent a room in the airport if you want to take a nap or if you get in late and have an early flight the next morning. It's called en-kma and is a small dorm style room with wi-fi, bed, mini-fridge, tv, and air conditioning. Its 10 US dollars/hour but if you stay longer, they will give you a discount. Its suprisingly very clean and more comfortable than expected.

United States (Consular Agency), Avenida Roque Aguilera #146 (3er Anillo), ☎ +591-3-351-3477 (fax: +591-3-351-3478), [9].  

A good internet cafe is at the corner of Avenida Cañoto and Buenos Aires. Its hyperfast, air conditioned and cheap.

Cheap call centers can be found everywhere in the city. Tel Viva use communication over the internet and carge therefore only 0.50 bolivianos/minute.

There is a bus to Cochabamba [S] [M], takes 10 hours, for 30 or 40 Bolivianos.

Shared Taxis to Samaipata [S] leave from :

• Expresso Samaipata [S] (Av. Omar Chavez Ortiz 1147 esquina Soliz de Olguin - Telf. 333-5067). From the terminal take the bus number 8 to get there. They leave with at least 4 passengers, 30Bs. Takes 3 hours.
• El Fuerte (2do Anillo Av. Grgota esq. Aruma - Telf. 359-8958). 25 Bs.

There are buses to Asunción, Paraguay. The trip takes around 23hrs. Daily departures in the evening from the Nuevo Terminal. Around $40-50 for a bus including food (bargain as much as you can). The travel agencies will not hesitate to lie to sell you a ticket and an old seat will become a "cama". Expect 15 to 18 police checks on the way, especially in Paraguay. The road throught the Chaco is quite good, but the trip is very long.

Text content was last edited at 12:43, on 28 May 2010 by Peter Fitzgerald. Based on work by Claus Hansen, Jon Gates, Eco84, Call Me Snapps , Josh Johnson and Ryan Holliday, Wikitravel user(s) Texugo, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel. This text content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.