Santa Cruz Botanical Garden, officially the Jardín Botánico Municipal de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, is a municipal garden focused on conservation, research and environmental education. At Km 9 on the Cotoca highway, it offers plant collections, lagoons and ecological trails for a nature-focused visit in Santa Cruz.
- Location: Km 9, Carretera a Cotoca (RN4), Peaje Guapilo.
- Collections: Native trees, orchids, palms, cacti and other plants.
- Guided visits: Available Monday to Sunday from 8:30 to 14:30; tours last 45–60 minutes.
- Admission: Bs 5 for children ages 3–10, Bs 15 for adults and Bs 30 for foreigners.
What to see at Santa Cruz Botanical Garden
Santa Cruz Botanical Garden brings together plant collections, water features and paths across its grounds. The collections include Ceiba (Toborochi), Patujú, Erythrina (Gallito), Tajibo, forest trees, orchids, palms, native wild edible fruits, cactus and Bibosi.
For a walk through the garden, the Paseo de los Naturalistas is a shaded interpretive trail with native trees, information panels and observation points. It connects areas of the garden and is designed for all visitors. The main and small lagoons, wooden deck path and rest pergolas add other stopping points along the way.
Other attractions include a tropical greenhouse, a children’s playground, a traditional house and well, and a colonial patio and well. Guided visits cover biodiversity and ecology, medicinal plants, themed living collections such as cacti and palms, and educational activities. Santa Cruz also has the Zoológico Municipal de Fauna Sudamericana Noel Kempff Mercado.
How do you get to Santa Cruz Botanical Garden?
The garden is on the Cotoca highway, at Km 9, Carretera a Cotoca (RN4), Peaje Guapilo. The municipal government also describes its location as Km 8½ of the Cotoca highway, approximately 100 meters before the toll booth.
Use the garden’s address to plan your route from Buganvillas Suites. The garden is an identified Santa Cruz attraction, but no route from the hotel or public-transport lines serving the site are specified.
Hours, tickets and guided visits
A tour lasts 45–60 minutes, groups may include up to 30 people, and the guide costs Bs 50. Advance reservation is recommended. Admission costs Bs 5 for children ages 3–10, Bs 15 for adults and Bs 30 for foreigners.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8:30–17:30
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Call 70932727 or 78034554 for information and guided-visit reservations. Opening hours and prices can change, so check the official site before you go.
How to plan a garden visit
Allow 45–60 minutes if you book a guided tour; this is the tour duration, not a suggested time for exploring the whole garden.
You can ask about the tour’s focus when arranging it, since guided visits cover ecology, medicinal plants and themed collections. For a different day trip from Santa Cruz, the Lomas de Arena Regional Park is another option.
Stay on marked trails and paths, and keep companion animals under control. Swimming in lagoons and waterways is prohibited. The garden’s rules also prohibit damaging vegetation or disturbing wildlife; pedestrians have priority on wooden walkways, where cycling is not allowed.
The guided service is described as accessible to all, though specific routes and facilities are not detailed. The garden’s conservation and education work includes living plant collections, a herbarium and environmental programs for schools, universities and other institutions.
FAQs
What is the official name of Santa Cruz Botanical Garden?
Its full name is Jardín Botánico Municipal de Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Can you book a guided visit?
Yes. Advance reservations are recommended; call 70932727 or 78034554 for information and bookings.
What should visitors know about the garden rules?
Stay on marked paths, do not swim in the lagoons or waterways, and keep companion animals under control. Cycling is prohibited on wooden walkways.