Written & Fact-Checked by Vivian Blanco
"I have supervised and operated private journeys across the Chiquitanía, the Jesuit Missions, Chochís, Aguas Calientes thermal river, Samaipata, and Amboró for over 15 years. All route logistics from Viru Viru Airport, mission schedules, hotel choices, and seasonal weather advice below are updated monthly based on direct driver logs."
Before You Go
The six practical questions worth answering before exploring Bolivia's eastern tropical lowlands.
Best Time to Visit
Dry winter season (May–Oct) brings warm sunny days (26°C) and clear roads for overland circuits.
How Many Days Do You Need?
From a 2-day Samaipata escape to 3 to 5 days across Chiquitos, Chochís, and Aguas Calientes.
What to Pack
Light breathable tropical clothing, swimwear for thermal rivers, insect repellent, and sun protection.
Zero Altitude Stress
Sitting at just 416m above sea level, Santa Cruz is Bolivia's premier entry point to rest without altitude sickness.
Living Baroque Music Heritage
The Chiquitos missions are the only Jesuit missions in South America that were never destroyed and still celebrate Baroque concerts.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Recommended for jungle excursions into Amboró National Park or when continuing into the Amazon basin.
How to Get to Santa Cruz & Surroundings
Explore international flight gateways, domestic flight links, and private overland corridors to Samaipata and Chiquitos.
By Air (VVI)
Direct Flights · $$$Viru Viru Airport connects daily with Miami, Madrid, Panama, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Lima, and all Bolivian cities.
Private 4x4 Transfer
2.5–6 Hours · $$Paved scenic drive to Samaipata (2.5 hrs) or the Bioceanic highway out to San José de Chiquitos, Chochís, and Roboré.
Eastern Railway (Expreso Oriental)
Overland Train · $Ferroviaria Oriental connects Santa Cruz east to San José de Chiquitos, Chochís, Roboré, and the Brazilian border.
Getting to Santa Cruz & Regional Circuits
Scenic mountain highway climbing into the Andean foothills (2.5 hrs).
Direct paved Bioceanic highway across the Chiquitano forest (4.5 hrs).
Paved Bioceanic drive to Chochís rock (1 hr) and Aguas Calientes (2 hrs).
North gate via Buena Vista (2 hrs) or South gate via Samaipata (2.5 hrs).
Quick 35-minute domestic flight or scenic overnight bus (~10 hrs).
Multiple daily commercial flights connecting highlands and lowlands (1 hr).
What to See
UNESCO wooden Baroque mission temples, holy red rock towers, thermal bath rivers, pre-Inca megaliths, and giant fern forests.
La Chiquitania
La Chiquitania in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is a vast and extraordinary territory in which we are able to admire churches of the Jesuit period and where we find wonderful wood carvings and equally beautiful paintings of saints and scenes of religious life.
Located at a distance of a little more than 200 Km from the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, capital of the Department of Santa Cruz, the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, which have survived for more than three centuries, emerge imposingly. La Chiquitania is a vast and extraordinary territory in wh...
Boat trip in the Amazon region
The Reina de Enin Ecological Cruiser is a riverboat that navigates on the Mamore River, the largest river in Bolivia, and a tributary of the Amazon River. The cruiser offers 2-6 day tours during which time you will be in close contact with wildlife and nature.
The Reina de Enin Ecological Cruiser is a riverboat that navigates on the Mamore River, the largest river in Bolivia, and a tributary of the Amazon River. The cruiser offers 2-6 day tours during which time you will be in close contact with wildlife and nature. It is possible to take hikes, go hor...
Los Espejillos
Los Espejillos is a remote tropical paradise in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. With its sparkling waterfalls and natural pools it is truly a wonder of nature. A series of waterfalls have carved out and filled several deep pools as they cascade downward in step-like fashion, each flowing into the next.
Los Espejillos is a hidden gem located just 2 hours West of the city of Santa Cruz. This remote tropical paradise, with its sparkling waterfalls and natural pools is truly a wonder of nature.
Cabañas del Pirai
The Cabanas del Pirai (Pirai Cabins) are located in the western sector of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, at the end of the Roca Coronado Avenue. The Pirai River is a favorite place for the local people in the hot days of summer
The Cabanas del Pirai (Cabins on the Pirai River) is a long dirt road lined with small palm leaf-covered huts on either side where you can taste delicious local baked items at tea time. The road ends at the river which, during the rainy season, will swell to great depths and will not have a beach...
Municipal Zoo
The Municipal Zoo in Santa Cruz, Bolivia is one of the most complete zoos in this part of South America with a variety of typical fauna of the region.
The Municipal Zoo in Santa Cruz is one of the most complete zoos on this part of the continent with a variety of typical fauna of the region.
Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Cruz was built by Brother Mercedario Diego de Porres during the times of the Spanish Viceroy Toledo. The Metropolitan Cathedral in Santa Cruz is remarkable for its wooden vaults and for the pictorial decoration that covers them.
The Metropilitan Cathedral of Santa Cruz was built by Brother Mercedario Diego de Porres during the times of the Spanish Viceroy Toledo. In 1770 Bishop Ramon de Herbosos reconstructed the Church and commended this task to Don Antonio Lombardo. In 1838 the old temple was replaced by a new church o...
Jesuit Missions
The Jesuit missions in Bolivia have remained intact and even after hundreds of years they continue to marvel the visitors. They are located on the eastern lowlands of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, at about 6 hours from the city.
Prior to the colonial times the area of Chiquitos was populated by various indigenous jungle tribes. These were Evangelized by missionaries from the "Compania de Jesus" (Company of Jesus). Shortly afterwards various Spanish communities were constructed in the middle of the jungle. This ...
Noel Kempf Mercado National Park
The National Park Noel Kempf Mercado in Santa Cruz, Bolivia has been declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by UNESCO. The Noel Kempf Mercado park presents an exceptional scenic beauty thanks to large farallones and water falls of the Caparu plateau.
The National Park Noel Kempf Mercado has been declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 2000. It is part of Santa Cruz, (Velasco province) and of Beni. The municipalities involved are San Ignacio of Velasco in Santa Cruz and Baures in Beni. The park borders to the east with Brazil.
Amboro National Park
The National Park Amboro in Bolivia presents a great scenic beauty: deep valleys, the torrential rivers and the water falls. It is located to the West of Santa Cruz, among the Ichilo, Manuel Maria Caballero, Florida and Andres Ibanez provinces.
The National Park Amboro presents a great scenic beauty: deep valleys, the torrential rivers and the water falls. It is located to the West of Santa Cruz, among the Ichilo, Manuel Maria Caballero, Florida and Andres Ibanez provinces. The archaeological ruins of Samaipata and the pictographs of th...
Choose Your Santa Cruz Experience
Select between our signature Chiquitanía & Aguas Calientes expedition or the Samaipata & Amboró cloud forest circuit.
Chiquitos, Chochís & Thermal River vs. Samaipata Mountain Nature?
Decide whether you want an overland journey through living Baroque history and natural thermal baths or a mountain retreat in the Andean foothills.
Chiquitos, Chochís & Aguas Calientes Circuit
A signature multi-day overland journey across the tropical Chiquitano dry forest.
- • 3 to 4-day private overland journey along the Bioceanic corridor
- • Visit San José de Chiquitos and the red rock tower of Chochís
- • Thermal bath relaxation in the warm waters of Río Aguas Calientes
- • Stay at charming boutique colonial mission hotels
Samaipata & Amboró Nature Escape
An easy weekend retreat into high-altitude cloud forests and archaeological megaliths.
- • 2-Day / 1-Night private mountain excursion from Santa Cruz
- • Guided exploration of El Fuerte de Samaipata archaeological rock
- • Hike through the Giant Fern Forest in Amboró National Park
- • Wine tasting at high-altitude boutique valley vineyards
San José, Chochís & Aguas Calientes
Stone Jesuit mission, Torre de David sanctuary, thermal bath relaxation, and lodge stays.
Samaipata & Amboró Giant Ferns
El Fuerte carved rock, prehistoric cloud forest hike, boutique lodging, and local wine.
Jesuit Missions Complete Circuit
San Javier, Concepción, San Ignacio, and Santa Ana Baroque wooden churches.
Santa Cruz City & Biocentro Güembé
Historic cathedral, 24 de Septiembre square, butterfly dome, and natural resort pools.
Practical Information
Entrance fees, where to stay, climate advice, and frequently asked questions for traveling in Santa Cruz and the Chiquitanía.
Entrance Fees & Costs
El Fuerte Samaipata (50 Bs), Chochís Sanctuary (10 Bs), Aguas Calientes (10–20 Bs), Amboró Park (100 Bs).
Where to Stay
5-star international hotels in Santa Cruz (Equipetrol), colonial mission hotels in San José, and eco-lodges in Samaipata.
Highland Flight Connections
Direct 35 to 45-minute daily flights connecting Santa Cruz (VVI) with Sucre (SRE) and La Paz (LPB).