This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly called Santa Cruz, is the most populous city located at the heart of the second-most populous place in Bolivia, and is also considered as the most economically prosperous city in the country and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world today.
Founded by a Spanish explorer named Ñuflo de Chavez in the sixteenth century, this city was moved several times throughout its history, until it was final established in the late sixteenth century at the Pirai River. In its early years, this city is merely a small outpost town, with little attention from the authorities of the country and the general population, until the end of World War II, when there was a comprehensive reform in agrarian and land systems that commenced the city’s fast surge to prosperity. Today, this city makes up around 35% of the entire country’s gross domestic product and gets around 40% of all foreign investments in Bolivia. This easily made the city the most important center for business in the country.
Unlike La Paz (Bolivia’s administrative capital city) and other major cities across the country situated high in the Andes, Santa Cruz lies at just over four hundred meters altitude with a distinctly tropical climate.
There are a lot of great excursions guests can book at the city of Santa Cruz from your hostel, such as trekking in Park Amboro and Noel Kempff, Jesuit Mission’s cultural excursions, or riverboat trip in the Amazon region. For soccer fans out there, this city can be a haven, as it is the home of the most famous soccer academy in the world today -- Academia de Futbol Tahuichi Aguilera, an institution that trains young players to become professional players in the future.
The Yvaga Guazú nature park houses different plants and animals. The Pirai River on the other hand, means so much for the locals, as people gather in the riverbanks to cool off, have a picnic, and socialize. Near the Cabañas Río Piraí are stores and stalls that offer food typical to the area.
There are a lot of mid-range and budget-friendly hotels and hostels in Santa Cruz. Many budget hotels in particular are close to the bus terminals, making it easy to explore the city. Budget hotels range from brand new hotels to standard rooms, all promising to offer laid-back and relaxed places for backpackers and travelers to stay. For mid-range budgets on the other hand, has some three-star and four-star hotels that take pride in superb hospitality.
Written by local enthusiast for Santa Cruz de la Sierra hostels
Angelica Burrage
