The Folklore Museum of Santa Cruz

May 2009 Update. The city government has completely blocked off this park with a sheet metal fence because it is giving this historical park a full make over. When reconstruction is complete, it will be have a modern bridge and park as well as cafés and night spots surrounding it.

The Folklore Museum (Museo Etno-folklorico) of Santa Cruz, Bolivia contains a collection of implements and artifacts used by native peoples of Eastern Bolivia. It is located inside a small building on the corner of Avenida Beni at Arenal Park (the park with the little lake and paddle boats). Many think the museum is inside the big mural below, but actually, it is inside a building on the southwest corner of the park).

The goal of this museum is to highlight the history of the native peoples of Eastern Bolivia. The museum houses musical instruments, weapons, tools, utensils, and some interesting masks that depict some of the characters in the traditional myths and legends of the Guaraní, Ayoreos, Guarayos, and other cultures.

You can also see some typical dance costumes, many made from natural elements like feathers, wood, and leather. There are signs next to almost every piece in the museum, but they're in Spanish. Most hotels and/or travel agencies provide a tour to this museum. It's a very popular stop on city tours.

MUSEUM OF FOLKLORE AND CULTURE
Parque Arenal
(about 7 blocks North, 4 blocks East of the central plaza)
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Hours: 9-12 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Admission: free of charge, donations appreciated.

If you enjoy learning about cultures and history, this is really a great (though small) museum to visit. For more information and a slideshow, read my page on the Arenal Park where you should also plan to spend some time. It's a nice plaza to walk through, has a pretty view of the lake, and you'll see lots of people on the paddle boats, any day of the week (unless it's cold and rainy). Try one out yourself!

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