Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Where to stay

Budget travelers cluster in the Centro, within walking distance of the Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the main bus terminals, where the cheapest hostels and comedores are densest. The Obrajes neighborhood, just east of the center, has a growing cluster of mid-range hostels and is closer to the airport and the eastern business districts, though it is quieter at night.

Getting around

• Use the TRO (Transporte Rápido de Oriente) bus system to get around the city. It is significantly cheaper than taxis, runs frequently along the main avenues, and covers most of the areas where budget travelers stay and visit.
• Bring bolivianos in small denominations. While larger hostels and supermarkets accept cards, many smaller comedores, street vendors, and local transport options only take cash, and ATMs can sometimes run out of bills in the center.
• The city is the gateway to the Bolivian Chaco and the Yungas. Day trips to places like the Salar de Uyuni often start here, and shared vans to nearby towns like Montero or Camiri depart from the main terminals early in the morning.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest and easiest to book during the rainy season from December through March, when humidity is high and afternoon storms are common. Prices rise and beds fill up during the dry season from May to October, which offers clearer skies and is the preferred time for domestic tourism and regional travel.