Santa Cruz, Bolivia 🇧🇴
#1824
-17.333333, -61.5
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the largest city in Bolivia, known for its economic growth and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1.8 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 25 Mbps (often higher in coworking spaces) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 BOB ≈ 0.14 USD, local banks include Banco Nacional de Bolivia, and Banco de Crédito de Bolivia. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/S sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Tigo, Entel, and Viva. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Bancamía and Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz, with ATMs widely available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include local apartments, hotels, and hostels, with Airbnb available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted in many places, but cash is still preferred in local markets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental agencies offer various options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostal Tupa, prices around $10/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cochabamba Pro, located in Equipetrol, offering good amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe del Mundo, a popular spot with strong Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by Santa Cruz Expat Community on Facebook. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Regular social events at venues like The Pub in Equipetrol. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are both popular and widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited options; however, bike rentals are available through local shops. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Playa Santa Cruz, about an hour away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Amaszonas is the main regional airline. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Boliviana de Aviación operates international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected by major highways, including the Bioceanic Route. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estación de Trenes historical station in the center. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Local buses operate, with no formal pass system; exact change is required. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses operate frequently to nearby cities such as Cochabamba and La Paz. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Japonés, known for its quality medical care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga & Wellness Santa Cruz offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and Bodytech are popular choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Express offers affordable laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and PedidosYa are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pique a lo macho, a popular local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | L' Haricot offers great vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Helados Tambo, known for delicious ice creams. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Nuevo, offering a variety of local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Facebook Marketplace and local online shops available. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Farmacorp provides grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Karaoke bars and clubs in Equipetrol are quite popular. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza Huari, a well-known local beer. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinoteca offers a good selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Try salteñas from street vendors for an authentic experience. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | El Jardín, serving delicious Italian food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Plaza 24 de Septiembre, the city's main square. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de Arte Contemporáneo offers rotating exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Iglesia de la Virgen de Cotoca is a significant religious site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Catedral Metropolitana, a beautiful cathedral in the city center. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Santa Cruz Carnival, known for its colorful parades. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Equipetrol, known for restaurants and nightlife. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Gran Mariscal is a popular performing arts venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Abasto, the largest market in the city. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | La Casa de la Música hosts local and international bands. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features various mural art in the downtown area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes offered by Inca's Kitchen focusing on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería de Arte Camila offers contemporary art showcases. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Casa de la Cultura is a historic building worth visiting. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city has a blend of indigenous and colonial heritage reflected in its architecture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Amboró National Park, about 1.5 hours away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Noel Kempff Market National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Parque Urbano covers several kilometers of scenic paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirador de La Paz offers great views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lagoons near the city are popular for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | City parks like Parque El Arenal allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Servientrega offer reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Multiple shops in the city center like TecnoSol. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports centers often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Lenguas offers Spanish language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal offers study spaces and books. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Casa de la Cultura hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Bunker Gaming Lounge for gamers looking for a place to play. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Tropicana offers gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., for a 40 m² = $60,000 studio). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., for a 40 m² = $40,000 studio). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., for a 60 m² = $108,000 1-bedroom). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., for a 60 m² = $72,000 1-bedroom). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., for an 80 m² = $128,000 2-bedroom). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., for an 80 m² = $88,000 2-bedroom). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Gain tax rate of 12.5%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on progressive income tax rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 25%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 13% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Bolivia has rules governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on cadastral value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% on property transfer. |