In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Bolivia
San José de Chiquitos
Spend 1–2 days in San José de Chiquitos to see the mission church and nearby park; travel from Santa Cruz about 5 h by bus.
San José de Chiquitos is a small Jesuit‑mission town in eastern Bolivia. Its adobe‑brick church, the Santa Cruz la Vieja historic park and Cerro Turubó are the main sights. The town is walkable; mototaxis provide short rides. One night is enough for the core sights, two days allow a relaxed visit to the park and hill.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, check)
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (rainy, may make park walks harder, check)
- Stay
- 1‑2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BOB
- Money
- Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs). Cash rules outside larger hotels and restaurants in La Paz and Santa Cruz.
- Daily spend
- Budget Bs150–250 excl. bed · Mid Bs250–400 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Entel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 230 V · 50 Hz · Some La Paz buildings have 115 V — check.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.; Uyuni driver and cook: Bs 50–100 per traveller for 3 days, shared.; Guides: Bs 30–70 a day.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Pay a boliviano or two; bring paper.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus ticket Santa Cruz → San José | Bs50 |
| Mototaxi round‑trip to park | Bs20 |
| Guesthouse single room (per night) | Bs40 |
| Meal at Sabor y Arte (salad + drink) | Bs50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VVI · Viru Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz)
- about 300 km (186 mi), 5‑h bus to San Joséabout 186 mi (300 km), 5‑h bus to San José
Typical fares
- Santa Cruz → San José bus
- about Bs50, 5 h (check)
- Mototaxi town‑park round‑trip
- about Bs20
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; mototaxis (≈Bs20 round‑trip) are common for short trips to park or hill.
See and do
Known for
- Jesuit mission church complex
- Santa Cruz la Vieja historic park
- Cerro Turubó viewpoint
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz la Vieja historic park | Mototaxi from town, ≈2 km (1.2 mi) south, Bs20 each wayMototaxi from town, ≈1.2 mi (2 km) south, Bs20 each way | ≈30 min total |
| Cerro Turubó | Walk east from town along paved road, then trail; no transport needed | ≈45 min each way |
Sleep
- Guesthouse at Chiquitano‑Ayoreo museum
- Single room Bs40, calm, near main square
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβano |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?ˈpweðo paˈɣaɾ kon taˈxeta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Rushing into business
- Photos: Ask, and accept a no; avoid: Photographing rituals uninvited
- Sea question: Listen; avoid: Joking about Bolivia's lost coast
- Queues and blockades: Patience; avoid: Arguing with protesters
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus schedules are limited (up to two daily from Santa Cruz).
- Roads to the park and Cerro Turubó can be dusty and steep; carry water and sun protection.
Generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on bus schedules and road conditions, especially during the rainy season.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San José de Chiquitos yet. Suggested stay: 1‑2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Jesuit mission church complex
- Santa Cruz la Vieja historic park
- Cerro Turubó viewpoint
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Bolivia tourism board: www.boliviatourism.com
- Wikivoyage: San José de Chiquitos, revision 5043137 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5043137
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/san-jose-de-chiquitos). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.