COOKING GAS IN SANTA CRUZYou might be surprised to learn that most homes use natural gas for cooking in Bolivia. Some homes (mostly condos and apartments) have connections to gas that is piped in directly from the local company SERGAS, but most homes that don’t use electric stoves and ovens must purchase canisters (called “garrafas”) as well as a valve-regulated hose (“manguera con válvula reguladora para garrafa”) that connects the garrafa to the stove/oven. There is no citywide gas grid to connect to (only some buildings and apartment complexes have their own grid). This might all seem very complicated and even frightening (for those of us that are used to using “electric everythings” and are afraid things might blow up) but it actually is extremely cost efficient, not that difficult at all, and with some basic common sense and precautions (see below), actually perfectly safe. In order to get connected to gas in Santa Cruz, you will have to go to the local company SERGAS (address below) and request the connection (if you rent, it’s probably already connected). They will request identification from you and probably a copy of your rental contract, the last month’s bill (your landlord should have one), or a copy of last month’s electricity or water bill (again, ask your landlord) because these contain the location information they need in order to properly direct gas lines to your home. If your home has piped-in connections to SERGAS, you will have a constant supply of natural gas and won’t have to worry about purchasing garrafas, hooking anything up, running out at inconvenient times, etc. You will simply find a small lever on the wall somewhere near the space where your stove will fit in your kitchen. If you lift the lever up, it will cut off the gas supply to your stove. If you push it down it will begin the flow to your stove. You can regulate how high the flames burn on your stove simply by moving the lever up and down until you find the level you are comfortable with. The you leave it there. Use the knobs on our stove to regulate each burner. Your one main inconvenience will be to always remember to have matches or a lighter on hand – matches run out and lighters run out of lighter fluid, even the large kitchen stove lighters you can buy at grocery stores, so basically you’ll have to remember to always have additional ones on hand. That’s it! If you have connections to gas in your home, you will be sent an “aviso de cobranza” or “pre-invoice” indicating how much you owe. You monthly bill must be paid in full each month at the local utility office (SERGAS), or any bank or credit union. You can even pay it at some grocery stores in Santa Cruz. Your water will be cut off if you are late paying your bills more than three months in a row. Typically, if used just for cooking and your water heater, your gas bill should be under Bs. 50 a month (currently equivalent to about $8 U.S.)
With this empty garrafa you go to a store that sells gas (or you call a local gas supply company for delivery – listed below). SERGAS does NOT deliver garrafas, it only provides piped connections. You trade your empty garrafa for a full one. A full garrafa will cost you Bs. 24 (that’s roughly 3 dollars). Depending on how much you cook or bake, it should last you 20-30 days, if not more! So as you can imagine, cooking with gas is MUCH CHEAPER than using electricity (although that currently doesn’t cost so much here either). In addition, throughout the day you might hear trucks honking a very shrill high-pitched horn as they make their way slowly from one street to the next through the neighborhoods. These are the gas trucks. They carry several dozen garrafas of gas and as they pass by your house you can flag them down, trade in your empty garrafa for a full one, and pay the driver or his assistants directly (in cash). I bought two garrafas. That way if I always have a full one on hand and if I run out while I’m cooking or baking, buying a new one isn’t an emergency. I have my gas delivered, which usually takes a few hours between the time you call and the time it’s delivered. The following are gas companies that supply garrafas (full and empty, 10 kilograms and 45 kilograms) and deliver to your home. I find this is easier than finding a local store or market because garrafas weigh about 20 lbs. empty and are heavy to carry around. They weigh nearly 40 pounds when full, so save yourself the hassle. (Read the precautions below too).
1) They are heavy stainless steel canisters weighing a lot when empty and even more when full. Be careful when lifting them, ask someone to help you if needed, and be careful not to smash your toes when setting them down. If you are really fearful of using natural gas for cooking, you can purchase an electric stove and oven. Your electricity bill will probably increase by about $10 a month with the use of an electric stove, which isn’t too awful when compared to what we pay in the U.S. and other countries for electricity.
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If your home has no piped-in gas connection, your job will be a little tougher but not as overwhelming as it seems. You’ll have to purchase your gas in garrafas every time you run out. For this, you must first purchase a brand new empty garrafa for gas (an initial investment of about Bs. 200 (about $27 U.S.) You can do this at local outdoor markets (just ask “donde hay garrafas?”) or small local stores around your neighborhood usually have some. Grocery stores do not supply garrafas. 
