Sights

The Plaza 24 de Septiembreis the city's main square, where people are so unhurried they would make the sloths who used to live in the trees here look uptight. Facing onto the plaza is the imposing brick-fronted Catedral San Lorenzo, built 1860-1915, with its wonderfully cool interior featuring hand-wrought colonial silver. It has a Museo de Arte Sacra, with what is probably the smallest book in the world, only 7 mm square. The cathedral tower can be climbed for views over the city. Manzana Uno, the block behind the cathedral, is another pleasant public space which has been set aside for rotating art and cultural exhibits.

The Museo Histórico has several displays ranging from ceramics to explorers' routes to native handicrafts. Perhaps its finest attribute, however, is a small shop run by the non-profit group La Mancomunidad, where handcrafted and signed carvings, hammocks, fabrics, and jewellery can be had. These are made by indigenous peoples, from non-threatened woods, and all proceeds are returned to the craftsmen.

The Museo Etnofolklórico has a small collection of musical instruments, masks, weapons, weavings and other local crafts.

An interesting area is the Mercado Los Pozos, which encompasses almost all of calles Quijarro, Campero, Suárez Arana, and 6 de Agosto. It's a bustling colourful blend of highland and lowland merchants, Mennonite families in their traditional attire, and produce from all over the country. Another popular and busy market is Siete Calles, which has all manner of goods and takes up Calles Isabel La Católica, Suárez de Figueroa, and Vallegrande.

Around Santa Cruz

Las Lomas de Arena del Palmarare huge sand dunes - 18 km to the south of the city. In some parts are small lagoons where you can swim, but note that you shouldn't swim in the stagnant water in the nearest and most popular of the lagoons. Head to the furthest ones, which are cleaner.

Los Espejillos (small mirrors) are a series of many small waterfalls, 41 km from Santa Cruz. Visit Biocentro Güembé www.biocentroguembe.com, with it's butterfly farm, orchid gardens, lakes and swimming pools.

Twenty km east of the city is Cotoca, where the church has a statue of the Virgin Mary thought to perform miracles, associated with which is a religious handicraft tradition. The town holds a fiesta on 8 December, with several hundred cruceñosmaking the trip on foot - the more penitent on their knees.

Playlandand Aqualand has two recreation areas with large swimming pools, and is popular with local families.