If you're in town for the International Trade Fair (held annually in late Sept), you won't find a better place than Buganvillas, Av. Roca Coronado 901 (tel. 0103/551-212; www.hotelbuganvillas.com). The hotel complex is located right next to the convention center (although it is about a 15-min. ride from the center of the city). The beautiful rooms actually are all fully equipped apartments. The complex has three pools, a spa, several restaurants, and a minimart. Rates range from $97 (£49) for a one-bedroom apartment to $187 (£94) for a five-bedroom apartment.
If you're looking for budget accommodations, I recommend La Siesta Hotel, Calle Vallegrande 17, near the corner of Ayacucho (tel. 0103/3330-146; lasiesta@infonet.com.bo). The rooms aren't fancy ($35/£18 for a double), but they have cable TV and air-conditioning. Plus, when it gets hot here, you can relax by the pool.
Gran Hotel Santa Cruz, Calle René Moreno 269 (tel. 0103/3348-811; www.granhotelsantacruz.com), is the best hotel downtown. Double rooms run from $97 to $107 (£49-£54), and suites are $117 to $127 (£59-£64). The best hotel in all of Santa Cruz, however, is Hotel Los Tajibos, Av. San Martín 455 (tel. 0103/3421-000), which is a 10-minute taxi ride from the center of town. If you stay here, you can walk to the many bars and restaurants on Avenida San Martín and take advantage of its lush pool area and first-rate restaurants. Rooms run from $120 to $140 (£60-£70) for doubles, $200 (£100) for suites.
