Santa Cruz

Tuesday 15th March

Arrived into Santa Cruz at 23:30 and made my way to Jodanga Backpackers hostel. I had reservations to stay here for 3 nights for Thursday, Friday and Saturday but they had no beds free for Tuesday or Wednesday so I made my back into the city centre and after trying several places which were fully booked I checked into a Hotel Copacabana and pay Bs160 per night ... I really had no choice unless I wanted to walk the streets at midnight with my backpack! Think I will have to start booking ahead more often especially if I´m arriving so late at night.

Wednesday 16th March

Took a walk around Santa Cruz centre ... the heat here is something else. Really humid tropical weather. Badly needed to get laundry done so I got it sorted today and spend the afternoon walking around the centre taking photos.

Hung out in the Irish Pub on the main plaza which has really good food and is full of ´gringos´.

Later I met up with Adriana and some of her family who I had met at the in Cochabamba last week ... was really nice to meet up with them after the good fun we had at the Carnaval.

Thursday 17th March

Breakfast again in the Irish bar. Loving the food here. Checked out of Copacabana Hotel and took a taxi to Jodanga Backpackers Hostel (80Bs per night). Great hostel and good crowd. Would definitely stay here again but they dont have loads of rooms and its always booked out in advance. Good hostel facilities.

Met a good crowd of backpackers who were all heading out tonight ... was delighted I met up with a nice crowd for Paddy´s day.

Later that evening about 5 taxis were ordered to bring a big hostel crowd out to another Irish Bar about 10 mins drive from downtown. Live music and the place was packed for St Patricks Day celebrations. Great night out.

Friday 18th March - Sunday 20th March

3 relaxing days in Santa Cruz where I really didnt get up to much except hanging out, enjoying the sunshine and meting up with Adriana and her family.

Me, Adriana and her family out for a meal in Santa Cruz:

On Saturday I had a few drinks in the Irish bar in the main plaza and then headed out to the other Irish bar outside the centre but there wasnt much happening so I didnt have a late night. I had to check out of Jodanga Backpackers Hostel on Sunday morning as they were completely booked out and couldnt extend my stay so I made my way back to Copacabana hotel and I checked in for 2 more nights.

I bought my flight ticket to La Paz (685Bs). Had considered getting the bus which I believe is about 18-20 hours but as the flight wasnt that expensive so I decided to take the easier option. I also managed to get a flight for Tuesday evening which would have me in La Paz airport about 22:30. My friend Neil was flying from Dublin to BA and onto La Paz and was expected to arrive around the same time so it made sense to just meet him at the airport Tuesday night.

Monday 21st March

Today I done a day trip to Parque Guembe (90Bs entrance fee and 50Bs in a taxi) which is about a half hour drive outside of Santa Cruz.  

Some pictures of the wildlife in the Parque:

The view from Parque Guembe:

Tuesday 22nd March

Last day in Santa Cruz ... I have to say I could easily hang out here for a few months. Nice town and the weather here is really tropical. I spent the last day with Adriana and her family and made my way to the airport to catch my flight to La Paz.

Will miss Santa Cruz ...