Plan on about 8 h 18 min of driving for the 324-mile (521 km) trip from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata, before any stops.
Full advisory: Bolivia. Advisory issued: Bolivia August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Bolivia: “Most highways do not have shoulders, fences, or barriers, and there are few lane markings.”
| Total distance | 324 mi (521 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | F17 → F4 → F7 |
| Departments on the route | Santa Cruz |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
What the drive from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata is like
F4 (167 mi) and F17 (79 mi) carry about 76% of the 324 miles. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| F17 | 0–79 | 79 | Santa Cruz |
| F4 | 79–246 | 167 | Santa Cruz |
| local roads | 246–258 | 12 | Santa Cruz |
| F7 | 258–323 | 65 | Santa Cruz |
| local roads | 323–324 | 1 | Santa Cruz |
Where to stop on the way to Samaipata
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (mile 241)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (mile 241), Curichi La Madre (mile 252)
- Museums and history: Parque nacional Histórico Santa Cruz La Vieja (mile 81), Cathedral Basilica of St. Lawrence, Santa Cruz de la Sierra (mile 247), Museo de Historia de Santa Cruz (mile 247), Museo Artecampo (mile 252)
Parque nacional Histórico Santa Cruz La Vieja
About 3 km south of San José de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz la Vieja is a historic national park protecting archaeological, historical, and natural features.
Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra
The municipal botanical garden of Santa Cruz de la Sierra covers 217 hectares within the city.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Lawrence, Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also known as Santa Cruz de la Sierra Cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Lawrence is the main Catholic church of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Museo de Historia de Santa Cruz
Half a block from Plaza 24 de Septiembre, the Museo de Historia de Santa Cruz occupies a heritage Art Nouveau house and is run by Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno.
Curichi La Madre
Officially a municipal protected area, Curichi La Madre is a wetland within the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in eastern Bolivia.
Museo Artecampo
In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Museo Artecampo showcases Indigenous and folk art from Bolivia's lowlands. It is a project of a cooperative center for research, craft design and marketing.
When you get to Samaipata
El Fuerte de Samaipata
El Fuerte de Samaipata is a pre-Columbian archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Andean foothills of Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia.
More drives to Samaipata
- Quillacollo to Samaipata
- Villa Tunari to Samaipata
- Potosí to Samaipata
- Llallagua to Samaipata
- Trinidad, Bolivia to Samaipata
- Uyuni to Samaipata
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata?
About 8 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 324 miles.
What is the driving distance from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata?
About 324 miles (521 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata use?
In order: F17, F4 and F7. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Rafael de Velasco to Samaipata?
Closest to the road: Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (botanical garden, mile 241, 0.4 mi from the route); Curichi La Madre (park, mile 252, 2 mi from the route); Museo Artecampo (art museum, mile 252, 2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.