September 24th Square, the Church of Santa Cruz
The Church of Santa Cruz is laid out in a radiating pattern, and the September 24th Square in the city center is a landmark where history and modernity intersect. Surrounding it are the Church of Santa Cruz, City Hall, City Museum, Tourist Office, and business centers.
Casa Cultural Melchor Pinto Melchor was a famous politician and doctor in Santa Cruz, and his former residence has now been transformed into a cozy café and restaurant, with a museum interspersed within its gardens.
The Church of Santa Cruz I was very fortunate to catch the Holy Week, and at 7 pm the church opened for mass.
Museum Beni Altillo The city museum features an introduction to the history of Santa Cruz and thematic exhibitions, and the rooftop terrace offers a panoramic view of the city.
The city's tourist office is diagonally across from the church and, in addition to exhibitions, the staff provide detailed information about local tourist attractions.
Bars on the second floor and in the upper levels of shopping malls offer distant views of the square. If you're lucky, sitting by the street, you can hear street artists performing moving Spanish love songs. Crossing the square, you can see elderly people playing international chess. On an evening filled with yellow and white skin, pigeons, religion, and commercial life, one can't help but think of the dawn on another hemisphere...
Temperature: Some call Santa Cruz the Miami of Bolivia. It's warm all year round, with temperatures in the twenties and thirties. Short sleeves are enough.
As for food, although Bolivian beef isn't as good as Brazil's, it still offers good value for money. Salteña is a local Bolivian pastry that is quite good; go for the ones with meat, as the pure cheese ones are average. Quinoa is locally produced in abundance.
The city's northwest part, near the river, is a more modern business center, especially near Barrio Equipetrol. There are many high-end hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and bars. Chairú Eco Hotel I recommend this hotel for its great value for money, especially since you can walk 5 minutes to eat very authentic Chinese food at San Yuan Chinese Food.
In crowded places, you can take a Taxi car, and Uber is even more convenient. When traveling to Bolivia, it is recommended to buy a local SIM card and top up for internet access. You can buy them at roadside stalls, print shops, etc., and they are quite cheap. Roaming is more expensive.
The cost of living in Bolivia is similar to that in China. The development of Santa Cruz has been concentrated in the last hundred or two hundred years. It is a charming city suitable for a comfortable experience of Latin American charm.