BO
Santa Cruz
Bolivia’s largest and fastest-growing city, a warm lowland base for Jesuit missions and national parks
Bolivia’s largest and fastest-growing city, a warm lowland base for Jesuit missions and national parks
The shady main square is the heart of the city. Climb the cathedral bell tower for a view over the plaza.
Photo: AriomPardo, CC BY-SA 4.0
About three hours west, the village of Samaipata is near El Fuerte, a huge carved rock used as a ceremonial site by pre-Inca and Inca peoples. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0
East of the city, six mission towns founded by Jesuits in the 17th and 18th centuries still have their churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every two years, a baroque music festival is held in the mission towns.
Photo: Geoffrey Groesbeck, CC BY-SA 3.0
A large protected area where the Andes meet the lowlands, with cloud forest, rivers and hundreds of bird species. Guided trips leave from Samaipata or Buena Vista.
Photo: Stoni111121, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try majadito (rice with dried beef), cuñapé (cheese bread) and sonso (cassava and cheese), plus grilled meat and tropical fruit juices.
The Equipetrol district has many restaurants and bars.
Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) has flights from other Bolivian cities and international connections. The bus terminal links Santa Cruz with the rest of the country.
Taxis are cheap; agree fares in advance or use a ride-hailing app. Citizens of the EU, the UK and many other countries do not need a visa for a tourist stay. In December 2025 Bolivia also announced the removal of the visa requirement for US citizens and several other nationalities. Check current rules before you travel.
Bolivia uses the boliviano (Bs). It is one of the cheapest countries in South America, but in recent years there have been fuel shortages and a shortage of US dollars, so bring cash and check the current exchange situation.
Prices are approximate.
City, ruins and forest.
Explore the plaza, the cathedral and the markets, then dinner in Equipetrol.
Travel to Samaipata and visit El Fuerte.
Take a guided hike in the cloud forest of Amboró.
Return to Santa Cruz, or continue east on a multi-day tour of the Chiquitos missions.
It is hot and humid most of the year.
Heavy rain from December to March can close roads.
Use repellent in the lowlands.
Carry cash; card acceptance can be limited outside the city.
Quick answers for planning time in Santa Cruz.
No, it lies at about 400m in the lowlands, so altitude sickness is not a concern.
About three hours by road.
Yes, they were listed in 1990.
A large carved rock and ceremonial site near Samaipata, used by pre-Inca and Inca peoples and listed by UNESCO.
May to October, the drier and slightly cooler season.
Offline maps are essential on the Altiplano, where there is often no signal.
Free
Spanish is the main language; Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the highlands.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Bolivia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.