Major city · Bolivia
Santa CruzSanta Cruz de la Sierra
Give Santa Cruz 2 nights as a low-altitude landing, food and Jesuit-Missions base; skip it as a sightseeing city — the centre is thin and the heat is real.
Santa Cruz is Bolivia's biggest city and its lowest big stop, at 416 m, so it is where you break an Andean trip without altitude. The centre is small: one plaza, one café boulevard, a church tower. Its value is as a base — Chiquitania missions, Amboró, Güembé — and as the country's main airport. Two nights covers the city; add nights only for day trips.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rain, heat, carnival closures)
- Airport
- VVI
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santa Cruz110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Cruz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyCentral Santa Cruz is fine by day; at night stay on lit streets and use Uber or InDriver rather than hailing.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVVI Viru Viru International (Bolivia's main international gateway north of the city; taxi about Bs 50–90…
- Getting aroundMicros (city buses) cost about Bs 2 and run the rings — 17 and 18 on the first ring, 72 and 73 on the second.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the centreBs 10–15
- Museum or sight ticketJardín Botánico entryBs 10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personBOB 60
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomBOB 300
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomBOB 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 180 · Mid BOB 350 · High BOB 700
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VVI Viru Viru International (Bolivia's main international gateway north of the city; taxi about Bs 50–90, airport micro about Bs 6.50 (check the distance))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (85°F)85°F (29°C)
May
Best
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Cruz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (71°F)71°F (21°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Mar
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Apr
29°C (85°F)85°F (29°C)
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
6 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Sep
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (69°F)69°F (21°C)
10 rd
Dec
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Micros (city buses) cost about Bs 2 and run the rings — 17 and 18 on the first ring, 72 and 73 on the second. Trufis (shared taxis) cost about Bs 2 and are faster. Street taxis want Bs 10–15 in the centre but may ask Bs 20–40 from a tourist; agree the price before you get in. Uber and InDriver both work, usually cheaper than street taxis.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cotoca
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way (check)
Micro from the second ring toward Cotoca (check the route and stop)
Plaza trees hold a handful of sloths; locals will point them out. Micros to Cotoca also pass the Jardín Botánico entrance (check).
Biocentro Güembé
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Shuttle from Ventura Mall (Cuarto Anillo), about Bs 10, or taxi
Aviary, butterfly house and pools; entry about Bs 140 — pricey for what it is. Shuttle times change: check before going.
Lomas de Arena
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h walk from the ticket office to the dunes, plus the ride out (check total)
Micro 21 to the park gate, then 7.5 km (4.7 mi) on foot or by mototaxiMicro 21 to the park gate, then 4.7 mi (7.5 km) on foot or by mototaxi
Sand dunes and birds; entry about Bs 10. The walk in is exposed — start early, carry water.
Samaipata and El Fuerte
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus or shared taxi toward Samaipata, about 2.5–3 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in the valley.
Jesuit Missions (San Javier, Concepción, San José de Chiquitos)
overnightDoor to door: Half-day to multi-day
Bus or tour east along the Chiquitania circuit
The reason many travellers come this way; plan 2–4 nights on the circuit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Plaza 24 de Septiembre (centre)
Walkable to the cathedral, cafés and the market; best for one or two nights without a car.
Equipetrol / Avenida Monseñor Rivero
Restaurants, bars and hotels; the evening strip locals use, 10–15 min by taxi from the plaza.
Near the rings (Primer/Segundo Anillo)
Cheaper rooms and easy micro/trufi access; less to walk to at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–500 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 2 nights × BOB 300 | BOB 600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BOB 350 | BOB 1,400 |
| Airport taxi, both ways1 × BOB 140 | BOB 140 |
| Micro or trufi rides, one day2 × BOB 10 | BOB 20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BOB 60 | BOB 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 228 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 627 per person per day, bed included | BOB 2,508 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Micro or trufi ride | Bs 2 |
| Empanada (fried to order) | Bs 6–7 |
| Main dish, local restaurant | Bs 35–60 |
| Pizza to share | about Bs 50 |
| Taxi in the centre | Bs 10–15 |
| Cathedral tower climb | Bs 3 |
| Jardín Botánico entry | Bs 10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Carnival (Feb, sometimes Mar): banks and exchanges shut, and water bombs and foam are thrown — wear clothes you can ruin.
- Agree every taxi fare before departure; meters are not the norm.
- The Santa Cruz–Puerto Quijarro 'death train' has been suspended since 2020 and had not resumed as of 2025 — treat any ticket offer as a scam.
- July–August surazos: cold southerly winds arrive fast, so pack one warm layer.
- Stadium crowds at the Clásico (Oriente Petrolero vs Blooming) get rowdy — go with locals or skip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
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Santa CruzSanta Cruz de la Sierra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
Most embassies sit in La Paz; several countries keep honorary consulates in Santa Cruz — check before you need one.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- VVI → centre, taxi: Bs 50–90, agree first
- VVI → centre, airport micro: about Bs 6.50, plus Bs 4 after 22:00about Bs 6.50, plus Bs 4 after 10:00 PM
- Centre taxi ride: Bs 10–15
- Bus to Puerto Quijarro: about Bs 100, 8–10 h
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- Necesito ayuda — I need help (neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah)
Tipping: round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Cruz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry, cooler) · avoid Dec–Mar (rain, heat, carnival closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for VVI: taxi band, micro cutoff after 22:00, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza 24 de Septiembre, Monseñor Rivero, Equipetrol, the rings.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (cathedral tower, Jardín Botánico, Güembé, Lomas de Arena) and eat pages with last orders.
- Chiquitania mission pages with bus times and church opening checks.