ATTRACTIONS

In Santa Cruz de la Sierra if you decide to stay in the urban area you will not loose your time: the old downtown offers an idea of how the old city was, and the Cabins of Piraí are ideal for relax. If one wishes to discover some of the mysteries of the forest or of the ancient cultures, then one can visit some of the Jesuit missions located close to the city or the sanctuary of Cotoca, to which thousands of crucinos arrive in pilgrimage; or the pre-Inca ruins of Saimapata.

While in Santa Cruz, these places demand your attention:

Metropolitan cathedral: remarkable for its wooden vaults covered by beautiful pictures. It was first built by the Mercedario Fray Diego de Porres, during the administration of Viceroy Toledo, but in 1839, Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz, ordered the substitution of the old temple. The mission was entrusted to French architect Felipe Bestres.

Museum of Sacred Art: Sculptures, paintings, silver jewels and the religious objects that the Jesuits used in their evangelizing work are exhibited in this museum, that is one of the most complete of Bolivia.

Church of San Andres: the presence of statues in the frontis gives it a flavour of old Greek architecture. Next ot the Church of San Roque, The temple has three areas with wooden structure and external eaves.

Valle Grande: The style put in the constructions of this town is a clear testimony of the Spanish influence. It has a nice fair to which residents of the neighboring communities come.

El Arenal: Fragile boats cross the artificial lagoon that gives life to the park a make it a place of tropical recreation.

Sanctuary of Cotoca: In December, hundreds of faithful people of Santa Cruz walk in pilgrimage the 20 kilometers that it from the city -built in 1902 - to give cult to the Virgin of Cotoca. The Sanctuary was built in 1902.

The Cabins of Piraí: In the shores of the river, expert cooks prepare the most superb dishes of local food. Fun and pleasure center, this area west of the capital, offers a magnificent view of the Piraí and of the green environment that surrounds the city.

The Chiquitanía: In these eastern lands that belong to the counties of Ñuflo de Chávez, Velasco and Chiquitos, the Jesuit priests evangelized the natives. They also built gorgeous temples, as Concepción, San Ignacio de Velasco, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael, San Javier. The church of the town of San José shows remarkable stone work.

Trip to the Yapacani River: Ideal for navigation or to rest in its beaches of white sands or to try your luck with the fishhooks and baits, this place of the Orient -at 120 kilometers from Santa Cruz de la Sierra- is an good alternative for the tourists.

Samaipata: The mysterious carved rock of Samaipata, 200 meters long and 60 meters wide, hold secrets waiting to be deciphered by investigators and studious. The ancient Bolivians carved animals and parallel grooves that point to the sky on its surface.