Santa Cruz Department has a lot to offer when it comes to the tourism sector, including natural beauties, archaeological sites and a rich cultural heritage as well as recreation areas.

One striking example of this is the national parks that can be found in the department, namely Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and Amboró National Park.

The first one, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, was designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Two hundred metre tall plateaus, breathtaking waterfalls, and a large number of native animals, are some of the park’s most attractive features.

The Amboró National Park is home to an exciting variety of bird species and there is a sanctuary where these animals can be studied. Also, the Pantanal Boliviano (Bolivian Marshlands) is a water reservoir and a place where wildlife takes shelter.

As for the cultural heritage, the Jesuit Missions are a chief attraction in the area and a legacy from the period of evangelisation during the colonial times. Also, villages with colonial architecture, such as Vallegrande, can be found in this area as well.

Vallegrande is part of the legacy bequeathed by the Spanish culture. However, it is possible to visit a large number of old villages, where traditions from ancient times are still preserved. For instance, Porongo, San José de Chiquitos, Guarayos and endless villages.

Among archaeological sites, the Fuerte de Samaipata (Samaipata Fort) is one of the most interesting ones. This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of a huge rock carved with a wide variety of animal and human figures. Also, cave paintings can be found all over the department.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that several international festivals are held in Santa Cruz such as cinema, gastronomy and Baroque music festivals among other celebrations.

Also known as Basílica Menor de San Lorenzo, this church was built by the Mercedarian Fray Diego de Porres under the rule of Spanish Viceroy Toledo.

In 1770 Archbishop Ramon de Herbosos decided that the church should be rebuilt and major sacristan Antonio Lombardo carried out the construction works.

In 1839, Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz, issued an order that the old temple should be replaced. It was French architect Felipe Besares who conducted this mission. The new church was built in an eclectic style and its wooden vaults covered by beautiful pictorial decorations are one of its most attractive features.

In the main altar a part of the original silver covering from the Jesuit mission of San Pedro de Moxos is still preserved. Four sculptural relieves from the same mission are also exhibited here.

The Museum of the Cathedral has an impressive historical, artistic and material wealth. The silver works that can be found there provide evidence of the outstanding quality of craftsmen from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The oldest ecclesiastical Bolivian jewel donated to the church in 1603 is still preserved at this museum nowadays. The museum houses old portraits and liturgical pieces as well.

This square named “24 de Septiembre” is one of the most important meeting points of the city. It is surrounded by several colonial style buildings such as the “Casa de la Cultura” (House of Culture), the Prefectura Departamental, the Alcaldía Municipal (Town Hall), the Metropolitan Cathderal, museums and exhibition centres.

This Church has a wooden structure and consists of three naves, with 18 columns on a masonry stand that is contained inside a wooden pitch.

A portico with a wooden fronton carved with Baroque plant themes is one of the most outstanding features of this building.

The church portico somewhat resembles the Greek temples, with its typical fronton decorated with statues.

This church was built on wooden supports, arranged in forms of columns.

The temple has three wooden naves and external eaves. Moreover, it has a wooden framework and tiled roofs as well.

This church was restored during the second half of the nineteenth century and Argentine architect Bustamante led the works.

This is a wildlife reserve where animals enjoy relative freedom. This place is home to rare species such as the Spectacled Bear or jucumari and the sloth among others.

Five hundred animal species have been registered at this park and there are about a thousand more to be registered.

Ubicado en el Parque El Arenal, es una colección que contiene valiosas muestras del folclore local.

El Arenal is a park where a lagoon and an island can be found. Initially designed as a rainwater reservoir, nowadays it is one of the city’s main tourist attractions. The mural of Lorgio Vaca is another attractive feature of the park.

This is an important research centre where the flora, fauna, palaeontology, mineral resources and rocks from the Santa Cruz Department are exhibited. This museum is named after Noel Kempff Mercado, who was a Bolivian scientist born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and encouraged the preservation of Bolivian nature.

Monseñor Rivero Boulevard, San Martín or Equipetrol Avenue, Bush Avenue and Plazuela Blacutt (Blacutt small square).

These are the city’s nerve centres, where boulevards and avenues in American or European style can be seen. Thus, Santa Cruz is popularly known as the Miami of Bolivia.

A wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, discos, night shows, casinos, among others can be found in these areas, just like in the world’s main capital cities. Women from Santa Cruz look very attractive and local people are kind and hospitable.

Wind erosion in the area led to the formation of white sand dunes located around the lagoons where water sports can be done. This attraction of outstanding beauty is similar to the beaches given the white colour of its sands.

As it names suggests these are water fun parks. Covering an area of 16 hectares, these parks have a total capacity for receiving 5000 people per day. Moreover, they are ideally located 8 and 12 kilometres away along the North route.

One of the world’s most original carnivals is celebrated at Santa Cruz. Beauty and joy are some of the main features of the carnival atmosphere. Sometimes it begins in December, two or three months before, when celebrations previous to the carnival itself are held.