7 Best Hotels in Santa Cruz, Central Bolivia

One of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz, thanks to dedicated hosts Nicole and Manuel, this small hotel is beautifully decorated with antique furniture, piles of curiosities, and eclectic art filling up every available space. The memorable rooms feature brick floors (which stay nice and cool in the heat) and are individually decorated, some with loud colorful walls, framed vintage posters, and bookshelves packed to teetering, and others more sedate. All the open spaces are equally filled with personality, and there are plenty of little nooks to relax in, such as a cool green central patio and even a small swimming pool. The abundant breakfasts are served with tasty homemade bread and marmalade, yogurt, and granola. Just 3 miles from the center, Casa Patio is considerably cheaper than the big resort hotel–type options that dominate the city.

This is a good option for those who need plenty of space and the convenience of a full apartment. The decor is rather stark and austere, and it is a little ways from the center of the city, but the prices are unheard of in Santa Cruz, and the neighborhood is calm and quiet, with a few good restaurants nearby. The top-floor unit has a nice terrace with good city views.

A free-form pool meanders through the tropical gardens at this low-rise, high-class hotel in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Santa Cruz. The Tranquera restaurant serves good international fare and like its sister restaurant in La Paz, is best at grilled meats. The hotel is showing its age somewhat but it's still a nice place to relax. Every room has a balcony and all the amenities you'd expect from a hotel of this price range.

An ever-popular choice for business travelers, Hotel Cortez is well located and offers everything you need for a comfortable stay. The newer rooms are particularly spacious and have views over the pool and garden. The staff are friendly and efficient, and the common areas are well kept and inviting.

This sprawling hotel on the edge of the city and 15 minutes from the airport is a series of low-slung buildings surrounded by lush gardens and feels more like a remote tropical resort than a city hotel. Due to its high prices, it is most frequented by business travelers who utilize the on-site convention center. El Papagayo restaurant serves excellent seafood, and the stunning Jardin de Asia is one of the city's best dinner spots.

This well-designed and comfortable boutique hotel is right on the main plaza. The beautiful brick exterior provides a striking contrast to the modern decor inside, which at times goes past minimalist and just seems empty. Most of the rooms have rather cold, white tile floors, with the odd overly bright carpet breaking it up, but they also boast large, comfortable beds and spacious, modern bathrooms with excellent showers. The service is top notch, and the rooftop pool and terrace feature wonderful views. Ask for a room with a balcony that opens onto the plaza.

The exterior of this all-suites hotel is a bit bland and blocky, but the surrounding green spaces provide a nice contrast, particularly the palm-lined space around the swimming pool. It's not the cheapest option, but the suites are spacious, each with a small living room and a fully equipped kitchenette that includes a small stove, microwave, bar fridge, and all the necessary cookware and cutlery. The interior looks a bit dated, but it's in good shape. The location is good, with quick access to the center. Request a room overlooking the pool (they are the quietest), and ask about the long-running "2+1 offer," which gets you one night free.