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Explore Bolivia’s Santa Cruz Lowlands for tropical landscapes, Chiquitos mission churches, regional food and the cultural energy of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

The Santa Cruz Lowlands form Bolivia’s eastern tropical world: a broad landscape of warm plains, gallery forests, wetlands and river country centred on Santa Cruz de la Sierra and extending towards the Chiquitania and the Brazilian frontier. This is a markedly different Bolivia from the high Andes. The air is humid, the vegetation is often lush, and the region’s cultural connections reach towards Paraguay, Brazil and the forested interior as much as towards the highland cities.

My first-day picks

Plan the Chiquitos mission route over several days because the historic towns are widely dispersed across the eastern lowlands.
Use Santa Cruz de la Sierra as an urban base, but check road conditions before travelling into the Chiquitania, particularly during the rainy season.
Schedule outdoor visits for early morning or late afternoon, when heat and humidity are generally more manageable.
Try regional specialities such as cuñapé, sonso, masaco and majadito in local markets or traditional eateries rather than assuming all Bolivian food is Andean.
Carry insect repellent, sun protection, drinking water and light clothing for lowland excursions, while keeping a light rain layer available.
Treat mission churches and community festivals as living cultural places, observing local photography guidance and dress expectations.

When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz Lowlands?

Best: May–July · 25–26°C

30° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: 21°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 100 mm, High: 200 mm J

30° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: 21°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 90 mm, High: 190 mm F

29° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 20°C, High: 29°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 80 mm, High: 180 mm M

28° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 19°C, High: 28°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 70 mm, High: 170 mm A

Best 26° Temperature Range for MayLow: 17°C, High: 26°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 60 mm, High: 160 mm M

Best 25° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 16°C, High: 25°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 50 mm, High: 150 mm J

Best 25° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 16°C, High: 25°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 50 mm, High: 150 mm J

27° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 18°C, High: 27°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 60 mm, High: 160 mm A

29° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 19°C, High: 29°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 70 mm, High: 170 mm S

30° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 20°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 80 mm, High: 180 mm O

30° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 21°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 90 mm, High: 190 mm N

30° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: 21°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 100 mm, High: 200 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	30	150
February	30	140
March	29	130
April	28	120
May (best)	26	110
June (best)	25	100
July (best)	25	100
August	27	110
September	29	120
October	30	130
November	30	140
December	30	150

Getting to and around Santa Cruz Lowlands

How to get there

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the principal gateway, served by Viru Viru International Airport, located outside the city in the neighbouring municipality of Warnes within Santa Cruz Department. It has domestic connections to major Bolivian cities and international links that vary by season and airline. Long-distance buses connect Santa Cruz with the highlands, southern Bolivia and Brazil, although journeys can be lengthy. The Chiquitania is reached mainly by road from Santa Cruz; San José de Chiquitos has rail and road connections, but onward travel between mission towns requires careful itinerary planning.

Transportation

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has taxis, app-based services in some areas, minibuses and local buses, but traffic can be heavy and routes may be difficult for newcomers to interpret. Taxis or organised transfers are practical for airport journeys and short excursions. In the Chiquitania, public transport is limited, journey times are long and services may be infrequent; a reputable driver, organised tour or carefully researched rental-car itinerary is often more convenient. Unpaved roads can deteriorate during heavy rain, and remote areas should not be approached without checking current conditions.

Top city travel guides in Santa Cruz Lowlands

The cities of Santa Cruz Lowlands, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Santa Cruz Lowlands

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Santa Cruz Lowlands

The Santa Cruz Lowlands offer a combination of urban culture, tropical nature and historic settlements rather than one concentrated sightseeing circuit. Santa Cruz de la Sierra provides museums, galleries, markets, shaded plazas and the compact colonial core around Plaza 24 de Septiembre. Nearby Lomas de Arena de El Palmar protects an unusual field of pale sand dunes and lowland vegetation, offering short walks and striking contrasts with the surrounding plains. Farther east, the Chiquitania is the region’s defining cultural landscape: the towns of San Javier, Concepción, San Ignacio de Velasco, Santa Ana de Velasco, San Rafael de Velasco and San José de Chiquitos retain mission churches, workshops, music traditions and community festivals. Nature-focused journeys can include the broad wetlands and forest edges of the eastern lowlands, although access and facilities vary considerably. Birdwatching, rural drives, fishing, river excursions and visits to cattle or agricultural communities are possible with local operators. Travel distances, seasonal road conditions and limited services in smaller towns mean that the attraction lies as much in the journey and changing landscape as in individual monuments.

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Best landmarks in Santa Cruz Lowlands

The most recognisable historic landmarks of the Santa Cruz Lowlands are the mission churches of Chiquitania. The churches at San Javier, Concepción, Santa Ana de Velasco, San Rafael de Velasco, San José de Chiquitos and San Ignacio de Velasco represent a regional architectural tradition developed through colonial mission settlements and Indigenous craftsmanship; together they form the UNESCO-listed Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Cathedral Basilica of San Lorenzo anchors Plaza 24 de Septiembre, its brick towers and arcaded surroundings marking the city’s historic centre. The city’s monument to Cristo Redentor is a prominent modern civic landmark on a major eastern approach. Lomas de Arena de El Palmar provides a natural landmark rather than an architectural one, with pale dunes interrupting the flat tropical setting. In the wider lowlands, the visual identity comes from broad horizons, palms, seasonal waterways, forest margins and mission-town plazas, where church façades and tiled roofs are integrated into living communities rather than preserved as isolated ruins.

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Explore Santa Cruz Lowlands on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Santa Cruz Lowlands

Dining in the Santa Cruz Lowlands reflects tropical agriculture, cattle raising, river fish and Indigenous lowland traditions. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, restaurants range from market stalls and simple almuerzos to contemporary kitchens, while traditional eateries serve majadito, a rice dish commonly prepared with meat or other regional variations; locro carretero, a hearty rice and meat preparation; and masaco, made from mashed plantain or cassava with cheese, pork or other accompaniments. Sonso combines cassava and cheese, and cuñapé is a popular cheese bread often eaten with coffee or a cold drink. Pacú and other freshwater fish appear in lowland cooking where supplies permit. Markets are useful for tasting tropical fruit, cassava-based foods and regional snacks, while somó, a sweet maize drink, is associated with the eastern lowlands. Menus and recipes vary between city, village and community, so local terminology and preparation can change from one town to the next.

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Best bars in Santa Cruz Lowlands

Evening life is concentrated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars, breweries and music venues serve a large urban population. The central area around the historic core has a more relaxed plaza-and-restaurant atmosphere, while newer commercial districts offer later dining and more contemporary nightlife; exact venues and opening arrangements change frequently. Live music and dancing are part of the city’s entertainment culture, but nightlife is not limited to large clubs. In the Chiquitania, evenings are quieter and usually centre on local restaurants, hotel patios, town squares, community celebrations and occasional concerts connected with mission music traditions. Smaller settlements may close early, and transport after dark can be limited. Drink responsibly, use recognised transport and avoid treating a rural community festival as a commercial nightlife event.

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Best nightclubs in Santa Cruz Lowlands

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Best shops in Santa Cruz Lowlands

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the region’s main shopping centre, with modern retail complexes, busy markets, independent shops and specialist food stores. Markets are useful for tropical fruit, spices, snacks, woven goods and everyday products, although visitors should take normal care with belongings and negotiate only where bargaining is customary. The city also offers crafts and decorative objects influenced by eastern Bolivian materials and Indigenous traditions. In the Chiquitania, shopping is more modest and is centred on small town streets, mission-related craft outlets, local produce and occasional festival stalls rather than large retail districts. Regional foods such as cuñapé ingredients, coffee, honey, preserves and packaged tropical products can make practical souvenirs, subject to border and airline regulations. Buy directly from established cooperatives or artisans where possible, ask about materials and provenance, and avoid wildlife products or archaeological objects. Retail choice and card acceptance decline sharply outside Santa Cruz, so carry cash for rural purchases.

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Santa Cruz Lowlands essentials

Currency and Payment

Bolivia uses the boliviano, coded BOB. Cards and contactless payments are increasingly accepted in established hotels, restaurants and shops in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, but cash remains useful for markets, small eateries, local transport and rural travel. Carry small denominations because change can be limited outside major commercial areas. Exchange facilities and cash machines are more readily available in Santa Cruz than in the Chiquitania, so obtain enough local currency before travelling into smaller towns.

Safety

Take ordinary urban precautions in Santa Cruz de la Sierra: keep valuables discreet, use established transport after dark and take care in crowded markets and bus terminals. Heat, intense sun, insects and sudden rain are more relevant risks in rural areas than high-altitude sickness. On road journeys, allow for poor surfaces, livestock and limited lighting, particularly outside towns. Follow local advice near rivers and wetlands, avoid swimming where conditions are unknown and use repellent in areas with mosquitoes.

Emergency Situations

Bolivia’s national emergency arrangements apply throughout the Santa Cruz Lowlands. Police are commonly reached on 110, ambulance services on 118 and firefighters on 119, although response capacity and telephone reliability can vary outside the main city. In an emergency, ask hotel staff, guides or local authorities for assistance and keep the contact details of your accommodation available. Travellers making remote road or nature trips should carry water, charged phones and insurance information because medical and rescue resources are more limited away from Santa Cruz.

Do's and Don'ts

Dress lightly for the climate but choose respectful clothing when visiting churches, community events or religious ceremonies. Ask before photographing people, especially Indigenous residents, musicians, worshippers and children. In mission towns, treat churches and historic objects as active cultural heritage rather than photographic backdrops. Queue patiently, confirm taxi fares before departure and keep cash secure in markets. Do not enter forest, wetland or private rural land without permission, and avoid buying wildlife products or items whose provenance is unclear.

Local Tips

The geography is larger than it first appears, so group destinations by corridor rather than attempting to cross the lowlands repeatedly from Santa Cruz. Early starts are valuable for birdwatching, wildlife excursions and walks in the heat. In the city, explore the historic centre in the cooler parts of the day and use shaded plazas as natural pauses. If visiting the Chiquitos missions during a music or religious festival, reserve accommodation early and expect local schedules to take precedence over a tightly timed itinerary.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Hola	[Ola]
Goodbye	Adiós	[A-dios]
Yes	Sí	[Si]
No	No	[No]
Please/You're welcome	Por favor/De nada	[Por fa-vor/De na-da]
Thank you	Gracias	[Gra-thias]
Excuse me/Sorry	Disculpe/Lo siento	[Dis-cul-pe/Lo sien-to]
How are you?	¿Cómo estás?	[Ko-mo es-tas]
Fine. And you?	Bien. ¿Y tú?	[Byen. I tu]
Do you speak English?	¿Hablas inglés?	[A-blas in-gles]
I don't understand	No entiendo	[No en-ti-en-do]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Me gustaría ver el menú, por favor	[Me gus-ta-ria ver el me-nu, por fa-vor]
I don't eat meat	No como carne	[No ko-mo car-ne]
Cheers!	¡Salud!	[Sa-lud]
I would like to pay, please	Quisiera pagar, por favor	[Ki-siera pa-gar, por fa-vor]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	¡Ayuda!	[A-yu-da]
Go away!	¡Vete!	[Ve-te]
Call the Police!	¡Llama a la policía!	[Ya-ma a la po-li-cia]
Call a doctor!	¡Llama a un doctor!	[Ya-ma a un doc-tor]
I'm lost	Estoy perdido	[Es-toy per-di-do]
I'm ill	Estoy enfermo	[Es-toy en-fer-mo]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	Me gustaría comprar...	[Me gus-ta-ria kom-prar...]
I'm just looking	Solo estoy mirando	[So-lo es-toy mi-ran-do]
How much is it?	¿Cuánto cuesta?	[Kwan-to kues-ta]
That's too expensive	Eso es demasiado caro	[E-so es de-ma-si-a-do ca-ro]
Can you lower the price?	¿Puedes bajar el precio?	[Pwe-des ba-har el pre-cio]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	¿Qué hora es?	[Ke o-ra es]
It's one o'clock	Es la una	[Es la u-na]
Half past (10)	Y media (10)	[I me-dia (10)]
Morning	Mañana	[Ma-ña-na]
Afternoon	Tarde	[Tar-de]
Evening	Noche	[No-che]
Yesterday	Ayer	[A-yer]
Today	Hoy	[Oy]
Tomorrow	Mañana	[Ma-ña-na]
1	Uno	[U-no]
2	Dos	[Dos]
3	Tres	[Tres]
4	Cuatro	[Kua-tro]
5	Cinco	[Sin-co]
6	Seis	[Seis]
7	Siete	[Sye-te]
8	Ocho	[O-cho]
9	Nueve	[Nwe-ve]
10	Diez	[Diez]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	¿Dónde está un/ el...?	[Don-de es-ta un/ el...]
What's the address?	¿Cuál es la dirección?	[Kwal es la di-rec-ción]
Can you show me (on the map)?	¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?	[Pwe-des mos-trar-me (en el ma-pa)]
When's the next (bus)?	¿Cuándo es el próximo (bus)?	[Kwan-do es el pro-xi-mo (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)	Un boleto (a ....)	[Un bo-le-to (a ....)]

History of Santa Cruz Lowlands

Indigenous Lowland Societies before Spanish Rule

The plains and forests of eastern Bolivia were home to diverse peoples, including Chané, Guaraní-speaking communities and other groups whose economies combined farming, fishing, hunting and forest knowledge. Political authority and settlement patterns differed across the region, and the area was not incorporated into the Inca state in the same way as the central Andes. Indigenous languages, foodways, craft traditions and relationships with rivers and forests continue to shape the cultural landscape of the Santa Cruz Lowlands.

The Founding and Relocation of Santa Cruz

Spanish settlers founded Santa Cruz de la Sierra in 1561 during attempts to establish a permanent foothold between the Andes and the continental interior. The original settlement was later moved several times before reaching its present location in the late sixteenth century. For centuries the town remained relatively remote from the principal colonial centres, connected more closely to frontier trade, cattle raising and the expansive eastern territories than to the administrative world of the highlands.

Jesuit Missions in Chiquitania, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

Jesuit missionaries established settlements in Chiquitania from the late seventeenth century, working within a complex and sometimes coercive colonial system while relying heavily on Indigenous communities and local craftspeople. Churches were built using regional materials and artistic techniques, producing a distinctive architectural and musical tradition. After the Jesuits were expelled from Spanish territories in 1767, the mission settlements changed, but several churches and associated traditions survived. Six mission complexes are now recognised by UNESCO as the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos.

Cattle, Trade and Frontier Economy

Cattle raising became central to the lowland economy during the colonial and republican periods, supported by extensive grasslands and a warm climate. Santa Cruz also functioned as a regional trading centre for products moving between the eastern frontier, the Andes and neighbouring territories. The large distances, seasonal rivers and limited infrastructure kept the region relatively separate from Bolivia’s main highland corridors, while local economies combined ranching, subsistence agriculture, forest products and commerce.

Rubber, Railways and New Regional Connections

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought stronger commercial links between the eastern lowlands and wider South America. Rubber extraction in the Amazonian regions, though centred farther north than Santa Cruz, formed part of the broader economic context of eastern Bolivia. Later railway construction and roads connected Santa Cruz more effectively with the Brazilian frontier and the Andean interior. These links gradually weakened the region’s isolation and encouraged the growth of Santa Cruz as an important inland commercial hub.

Agricultural Expansion and Urban Growth after the 1950s

Road building, agricultural policy and national development programmes transformed the Santa Cruz Lowlands after the 1950s. Mechanised farming, cattle ranching and later soybean production expanded, attracting migrants from other parts of Bolivia and contributing to the rise of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The city grew from a relatively small regional centre into the country’s largest urban area by population. This transformation brought employment and infrastructure but also created pressures involving land, forests, water and urban expansion.

Contemporary Lowland Identity and Chiquitos Heritage

Modern Santa Cruz combines rapid metropolitan growth with strong regional institutions, rural communities and enduring Indigenous and mission traditions. The Chiquitos churches, their music festivals and conservation efforts have made the eastern lowlands an important cultural destination, while agricultural expansion continues to influence the economy and landscape. Debates about regional autonomy, land use and environmental protection have also shaped public life, reflecting the region’s distinct historical experience within the Plurinational State of Bolivia.