Santa Cruz de la Sierra Travel Forum

Help! My friend is getting married in Santa Cruz on August 6th, 2004. I am trying to go but I will only have 5 full days (not counting travel). I need suggested itineraries on what I can see and do in Bolivia with only 5 days. I'm aware that Santa Cruz is quite far from the other cities and that I would need alot more time but what can I do with the time that I have? Thankyou.
Nesecito ayuda. Lo siento, pero mi espanol no es muy bien. Mi amigo va a casarse el 6 de Agosto en Santa Cruz. Quiero ir, pero tengo solo 5 dias (y 2 dias para viajar). ?A donde puedo ir y que puedo hacer en Bolivia con 5 dias? Gracias.
Nereid

Hola!

Esta muy bien tu espaņol!!
well, what I forgot to ask you....do you go by plane to Santa Cruz or just to La Paz? well....at all your time is quite short, so I would recommend you as mentioned to go to Potosi, you will need at all about 3 days for it with the travel times, although you may travel with a night bus.
Closer to Santa Cruz you should visit Samaipata, the old pre-incain ruins. It is about 120 km away from Santa Cruz to the west. On the way you also pass bythe water falls I told about, I guess.
and...by the way, it will be surely nice to stay a day or two in Santa Cruz and the very near surroundings, it is a great tropical region there.

Que tengas un tiempo bonito
saludos
Holger

Thankyou for the suggestions Holger! I'll be flying into Santa Cruz probably from Miami. I would love to see La Paz and Lake Titicaca, but I don't think I'll have time. How long is the bus ride to Potosi? Are there cheap plane tickets? Is the bus the best mode of transportation while I'm there? Well, if you have any other suggestions, let me know.
Nereid

Hi!

I searched for a paper with time table for the busses but Icouldnīt find it here....I am not sure though, but I think it was a bout 12 to 16 hours from Santa Cruz to Cochabamba and a bout 8 hours from here to Potosi....one has not to go unto Cochabamba to get to Potosi, so it might be at all 20 hours......that is really a long travel , I know.....another possibility might be to take a flight from Santa Cruz to Sucre and from here by bus. Generally by bus is the best way to go, there are almost no trains and if you donīt know the language and region well you better donīt go by car neither (but ok, to rent a car is an alternative, for sure)

You said, you wanted to see La Paz and lake Titicaca....well, and if the costs going by plane are ok for you than I would recommend you to do this and "forget" Potosi. Flight to La Paz and by bus to the lago Titicaca in about 3 to 4 hours. There you can stay in Copacabana or pass a night on the islands (isla del sol and isla de la luna)

so...these are the alternatives, I would say...

wish yo ua great time
suerte
Holli

Thanks again! Now I hope I can come up with the money for this trip.
Nereid

hi, it`s good to hear that you`re interested to visit Bolivia. what`s more, in August 6th is its aniversary day!!!!!
well, what my friend holly says about the time. yeah, it`s 14 hours by bus. yeah, the road is not bad. the real problem are the strikes. some contryman have been blocking the access from Oruro to Potosi. so i don`t recommend to get there for now.
so, are you arriving in the morning to la paz? if so: i recommend the following activities while in la paz.
drink a coca tea and have a short rest in the airport.
then walking around the city. in the afternoon make a city tour.
the next day you can get to huatajata (1:30), which is a small town beautifully situated around the lake titicaca.
and why not? eating a delicious fish (trout) from the lake. then in the afternoon back to la paz.
at night taking a bus to Cochabamba. (6hrs.).
then if you wanna stay there you can visit the city and then again in the evening getting a bus to Sta Cruz. (10 hrs).
friend if you wanna get more info about Sta. Cruz, perhaps you can get info from Julie20 (she is a good lady who lives there. suerte!
well, friend i hope to be helpful and again i warmly welcome to Bolivia.
pd. puedes escribeme si tienes alguna pregunta mas.

Santa Cruz is absolutely gorgeaus. I had the opportunity to visit it in 2003.
La faria is a wonderful shopping place. The souvenirs are much cheaper than La Plaza. you can buy jewelry, clothing, almost anything there.
The river is very kewl. You can rent 4 wheelers, horses, and have a great time. Along the side of the roads at the entrance there are many resteraunts and bars. There is even a place with a dance floor. Just dont go alone, make sure you go with lots of people because it could be dangerous.
Also, there is a street (sorry cant remember the name) where there are many clubs, and bars. People park their cars and drink. There are races, and lots of music. It is a great place to enjoy a pacena and hang out.
The missions are really neat. They are really old and are beautiful. They are just outside of Santa Cruz.
I am sorry that I do not know the names or locations too well, but I didnt know Spanish when I went there, but I am sure that someone would know where these places are.
Have a wonderful time. Haggal on the prices, and take many pictures.
Please tell me about your trip when you return, I know it is in the future a ways, but I must know about it.
thanx
angela