supravegan Beyond Veganism

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Bolivia

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz is tropical, relaxed, inexpensive, and more cosmopolitan than highland Bolivia. Bolivian cuisine centers on rice, beans, potatoes, corn, and yuca, which makes the staples supravegan-friendly even when restaurant options are limited.

Budget: $3-5/day cooking. $5-8/day with occasional restaurants.

Markets

  • Mercado Mutualista: huge central market for produce, dried beans, grains, spices, and extremely low prices.
  • Mercado La Ramada: large produce market specializing in fruits and vegetables, slightly more organized than Mutualista.
  • Mercado Nuevo: central option with good produce selection.
  • Feria Barrio Lindo: smaller weekend organic market; check local schedule.

Supermarkets

  • Hipermaxi: largest chain with packaged goods, plant milks, canned beans, oats, imported tahini, and coconut milk.
  • Fidalga: mid-range with good produce.
  • Ketal: budget-friendly staples.
  • Santissima: smaller chain with decent selection.

Health stores

  • Casa Vegana on Av. San Martín: vegan products, supplements, and specialty items.
  • Flor de Loto-style shops: muesli, dried fruits, cereals, supplements, hummus, spreads, fair-trade goods when available.
  • Small dietéticas exist but are less common; ask the local vegan community.

Restaurants

  • Casa Vegana: first vegan restaurant in Santa Cruz, born from animal rights activism.
  • Buddha Bowls: health-focused bowls.
  • Fast and Vegan: vegan fast food for cravings, not daily compliance.
  • Veggies: gourmet vegan burgers and salads.
  • Green Lovers and Sin Karma: plant-based options.
  • VegeLin: strictly vegan buffet-style restaurant; strong recommendation.
  • Captain Vegetariano: long-running health-focused vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options.

Accidentally supravegan

  • Sopa de maní can be close to supravegan if made without meat and oil.
  • Arroz con verduras ordered without meat, cheese, or oil.
  • Locro vegetable and potato stew if made without meat.
  • Chicha fermented corn drink.

Local staples

  • Yuca/mandioca
  • Plantain/plátano
  • Corn/choclo/maíz
  • Peanuts/maní
  • Rice and beans
  • Tropical fruits
  • Quinoa
  • Chia seeds

Tips

  • Produce spoils quickly in the tropical climate; buy for 2-3 days at a time.
  • Bolivia is very cheap; the 7-item list can cost $6-10/week.
  • Water is not potable; use filtered water.
  • Santa Cruz is hot and humid, so smoothies and salads can be easier than heavy soups.

Say it first

Soy vegano, sin carne, sin queso, sin huevo, sin aceite.