Santa Cruz de la Sierra in 5 days

Bolivia's booming tropical lowland metropolis, a gateway to Amazon parks, Jesuit missions and Che Guevara's trail. Best time to visit: May-October (dry season). Average daily budget: $35 to $100 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Plaza 24 de Septiembre, The central main square with the cathedral, palms and colonial arcades.

Morning: Relax on Plaza 24 de Septiembre. Soak up the leafy main square and its cathedral.

Afternoon: Explore Plaza 24 de Septiembre, The central main square with the cathedral, palms and colonial arcades.

Evening: Sandboard at Lomas de Arena. Head to the dune reserve for sunset over the sands.

Eat: Salteñas, Bolivia's juicy baked meat pastries

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Casco Viejo (First Ring), The historic core of colonial streets, museums, cafés and shops.

Morning: Explore the Casco Viejo. Wander the colonial old town's streets and museums.

Afternoon: Explore Casco Viejo (First Ring), The historic core of colonial streets, museums, cafés and shops.

Evening: Visit the Jesuit Missions. Day-trip or tour the baroque Chiquitos mission churches.

Eat: Majadito and locro, hearty lowland rice and beef dishes

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Equipetrol, The upscale district known for restaurants, hotels and nightlife.

Morning: Go wildlife-watching in Amboró. Explore the biodiverse national park west of the city.

Afternoon: Explore Equipetrol, The upscale district known for restaurants, hotels and nightlife.

Evening: Follow the Che Guevara Trail. Day-trip toward Samaipata and the historic Che route.

Eat: Cuñapé, warm cheese-and-yuca bread balls

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Las Palmas & outer rings, Leafy modern residential and shopping areas along the anillos.

Morning: Pre-Inca ruins and the carved rock of El Fuerte near Samaipata.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Las Palmas & outer rings, Leafy modern residential and shopping areas along the anillos.

Evening: Live camba music and cañón nights in Equipetrol.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh tropical fruit juices and river fish like surubí

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Lomas de Arena, The sand-dune nature reserve just south of the city.

Morning: The biocentre and butterfly gardens of Güembé.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lomas de Arena, The sand-dune nature reserve just south of the city.

Evening: Fresh tropical fruit and salteñas at the central market.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Salteñas, Bolivia's juicy baked meat pastries

Hidden gems

Pre-Inca ruins and the carved rock of El Fuerte near Samaipata.
Live camba music and cañón nights in Equipetrol.
The biocentre and butterfly gardens of Güembé.
Fresh tropical fruit and salteñas at the central market.

Getting around

Santa Cruz is a large, spread-out city organised around concentric ring roads called anillos, so while the historic centre around Plaza 24 de Septiembre is compact and walkable, most other areas are far apart. For getting around, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest and most comfortable option, especially in the tropical heat, while micros (minibuses) and city buses are cheap but can be confusing for visitors. The city's Viru Viru International Airport is Bolivia's busiest, with domestic and international connections, making Santa Cruz a major arrival point. The region's big draws, the Jesuit Missions, national parks, Samaipata and the dunes, lie well outside the city and are best reached by organised tour, long-distance bus or hired car with a driver.

Safety

Santa Cruz is a large, bustling city, and while millions of visitors and residents get around safely, it calls for normal big-city precautions in Bolivia. Petty theft, pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded markets, bus terminals and nightlife areas, so keep valuables discreet, watch your belongings and stay alert. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially at night, rather than hailing cars on the street, and avoid displaying expensive items. Stick to well-lit, populated areas after dark and keep to the central and upscale districts you know. The tropical heat and strong sun mean you should stay hydrated and protected. For out-of-town excursions, use reputable operators. With these sensible measures, most travellers visit Santa Cruz without trouble.

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