Bolivia: Cities from S to Z

Samaipata - San Ignacio de Velasco - San Javier - San Jose de Chiquitos - Santa Cruz - Sorrata - Sucre - Tihuanacu - Trinidad - Tupiza - Uyuni - Vallegrande


Samaipata
If you start from Santa Cruz, you can only get to Samaipata by taking a trufi, a shared taxi, which departs from an inconspicuous place. The pre-Inca archeological site El fuerte located about six miles outside of the town is worth visiting because its sculptured rock is the largest on earth. Also, travelers can attend trips to the Amboró National Park with its unique flora and fauna. Samaipata is the perfect place to relax and take a break.


San Ignacio de Velasco
The town is situated in the south-eastern lowland zone and provides plenty of opportunities to relax. The first mission church, which was founded by Jesuits in 1748, used to be the largest and perhaps the most elaborate of all the missions.


San Javier
This first Jesuit settlement was founded in 1691 and features amazing wooden houses and a breath-taking landscape. Not far from San Javier travelers can find waterfalls and hot springs.


San Jose de Chiquitos
The main attraction is the baroque church, which was declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 1991. On Mondays the Mennonites come into town and sell homemade cheese, butter, bread, and produce.


Santa Cruz
The second largest city in Bolivia has grown rapidly and is now the heart of the eastern lowland area. Santa Cruz is shaped by seven concentric circles that developed over the course of time. Today, the city and its 800,000 inhabitants are not only the center of commerce, but also the center of drug consumption. Santa Cruz offers excessive heat and high prices compared to other places in Bolivia. The fast growth makes travelers think that there are no cultural activities in this city that looks more like a large town at times. The rural image is also supported by the sloths, which can be found in the trees at the market square. Santa Cruz is the ideal starting point for travel to the eastern lowland area.


Sorrata
The mild climate and the breath-taking landscape make many people spend the rest of their life in Sorrata. The Illampu, one of the highest mountains in Bolivia, rising to 21,400 ft., is covered with snow and rises above the village. It can be visited in a one-week trip. The Bolivians' national pride is illustrated by the fact that the mountain is ascribed a height of more than 23,100 ft. on some maps, which, however, has not been verified. Trained and acclimatized hikers can do the Camino Del Oro (gold digger's trail) to Llipi, which will take them along a paved Inca transport route in six days. Near Sorrata you can find the Gruta de San Pedro, a cave with an underground lake. There are several ways to get there, such as on a six-hour hike or by taxi.


Sucre
Bolivia's capital is situated at 9,240 ft. above sea level and offers visitors a moderate and comfortable climate. It is also called "the white city" because of the whitewashed buildings in the center of the city. Since it is one of Bolivia's most beautiful cities, it is no surprise that it was declared a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1991. As Sucre's population is rather wealthy, tourists will find a newly renovated city that is well looked after. The fantastic flair, the Simon Bolivar Park, and the bustling nightlife make each stay unforgettable. A café situated below the Franciscan monastery presents a splendid view over the city. The capital offers countless churches and museums for everybody's taste.


Tihuanacu
South of Lake Titicaca and in the middle of the Altiplano, visitors can find the excavation site of the ancient capital town of the Tiahuanacu people that reigned 1,400 years over a territory as large as the Inca Empire. The city can easily be reached by bus, and many tourists come here to admire the famous Puerta del Sol (gateway of the sun). This megalithic ruin is steeped in legend and makes a visit of the site a must. It is also possible to take the micros (half-size buses) to Tiahuanacu, which are less expensive.


Trinidad
The tropical city surrounded by the dry savanna is not one of Bolivia's prepossessing cities. However, watching hundreds of motorbikes with sometimes up to four people perched on each bike can be exciting. Apart from that, it is the ideal starting point for a tour through the sparsely populated area. Those tours are quite expensive, though.


Tupiza
The town is situated along the railway line to Argentina. Those who want to sample cowboy life have the chance to explore the pampas on horseback since much of the town's appeal lies in the surrounding landscape.


Uyuni
The sleepy town can be reached best by train from Oruro. Traveling by train is slightly more expensive than traveling by bus. However, it is more comfortable, and thanks to movies and traditional background music, such as the local tune 'A mi Uyuni', it becomes an unforgettable experience. The name Uyuni stands for "place of the pack animals" although today the pack animals have been replaced by four-wheel-drive jeeps. These take tourists to the nearby Salar de Uyuni, one of the largest salt lakes of the world, which is always worth a visit. The overwhelming landscape makes up for the uncomfortable drive and the extremely cold temperatures at night.


Vallegrande
Che Guevara and the only female rebel of his band were executed in La Higuera, south of Vallegrande, and many visitors to the town pass through on a Che pilgrimage. Travelers can enjoy the colonial style of the mountain village and visit the famous bathhouse.