What are the best things to do in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Top picks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra include Climb the church tower, Plaza 24 de Septiembre. See the full list and itinerary on this Santa Cruz de la Sierra travel guide.
🇧🇴 Bolivia travel guide
South America · South America
Santa Cruz de la Sierra Travel Guide
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Photo: Parallelepiped09 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Travel guide for Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a stop in Bolivia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Most people stay 2–4 days. If time is short, prioritise Climb the church tower, Plaza 24 de Septiembre instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 30–80 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal
Weather
From highland cool to tropical warmth
Experiences
Things to do in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
1
Climb the church tower
2
Plaza 24 de Septiembre
Budget travel
Free things to do in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Climb the church tower
Plaza 24 de Septiembre
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Budget
Santa Cruz de la Sierra trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 30–80
per person / day
Luxury
USD 90–150+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Estimated total (USD)
$1,760
≈ $880 per person · $251 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $55/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Santa Cruz de la Sierra mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 30–80 · luxury 90–150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
El Aljibe
4 blocks from the central square, on the corner between Potosí and Ñuflo de Chavez. Very good place to try delicious Camba food in a beautif
Design Center
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 ca
Los Lomitos
A delicious steakhouse offering a mix of traditional Argentine and Bolivian cuisine for a good price.
Fridolin
A lovely pastry and coffee bistro that has excellent desserts. The savory food is however not-that-great and very expensive (Bs 30 for a ver
Alexander's Cafe
A slightly pricey but delicious café that offers good food (including vegetarian options) and fair trade coffee. Like Starbucks, it's a grea
Yogenfruz
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Turista
Clean place in centro near the First Ring. Breakfast, good wifi. Cheaper than other offerings in centro, though maybe not quite as nice.
Hotel Tropical Inn
Blocks northwest of main plaza. Tel: 334-6666. Probably the best value 3-star hotel in central Santa Cruz. Clean, large wood-paneled rooms w
Hotel Copacabana
Tel: . Across the street from Amazonas and Bibosi. Friendly staff, clean and modern rooms with cable TV and WiFi throughout. Rooms are small
Hotel Viru Viru
A bit run-down, entire place needs sprucing up. Supposedly has WiFi. "Breakfast" included, offerings of which are typically gone by 8:30AM.
Hotel Lido
Hotel Lido offers single room, double room, triple room, family room, matrimonial room and suite with air-conditioning, cable TV and interne
Shopping
- La Feria Barrio Lindo
Nightlife
- Bar Lorca
- Café 24
- La Bodeguita
- Duda Bar
Museums & culture
- Climb the church tower
In pictures
Santa Cruz de la Sierra gallery
Photos: Parallelepiped09, EEJCC — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Santa Cruz de la Sierra travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal.
How many days do I need in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Most travellers spend 2–4 days in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, depending on how many day trips you want in Bolivia.
Where should I stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Popular stays in Santa Cruz de la Sierra include Hotel Turista, Hotel Tropical Inn, Hotel Copacabana. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Santa Cruz de la Sierra cost?
On the ground in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 30–80, and luxury about 90–150+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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