The “Unforgivable” (Must-Do) in Santa Cruz

It is unforgivable to be in Santa Cruz and not visit Samaipata or El Pantanal, eat a cunape (typical Bolivian cheese bread ball) or an achachairu (typical Bolivian fruit), enjoy its carnival, the baroque music festival, or the Exhibition Fair", states visual artist Claudia Prudencio, Director and Creator of "Los Imperdonables" (The Unforgivable), a photographic book framed within a the revaluation project of Bolivia's cultural and tourism heritage, supported by CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, the Autonomous Departmental Government of Santa Cruz, the Autonomous Municipal Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and companies such as the Hotel Buganvillas, FAMOSA, VIVA, and El Aljibe. 

The publication, which was officially presented on Thursday, July 3^rd at the Hotel Buganvillas in the capital of Santa Cruz, highlighted 50 "unforgivable" (must-do) in the eastern department. 

The Unforgivable emerges as a nostalgic memory of the Bolivian artist, who lived in Mexico for over twenty years, and upon returning and visiting extraordinary places, tasting unique foods, and experimenting extreme sports, decided to undertake this challenge. "It was very difficult to choose only 50, because we have a great touristic wealth to discover and promote", she stated, adding that in addition to contributing to the promotion of tourism, she also seeks to lift Bolivian self-esteem, and encourage inclusive business opportunities. 

Enrique Garcia, Executive President of the financial institution, was the guest of honor at the event, and stated that, "for CAF, the development of tourism is an essential pillar of growth for countries, as generator of employment and income, and we consider that this initiative is a powerful promotion tool that shows the cultural and gastronomic wealth, the geographic diversity and, especially, the warmth of the people of Santa Cruz". 

Garcia added that the project seeks to present new alternatives for tourism, including them in already implemented strategies at a departmental and national level, in coordination with the Vice-Ministry of Tourism, the Government, and the Municipality. 

Prominent figures attended the event to find the department's main attractions. The Production Director, Juan Andres Chahin, stated that, "the communication tools used to show the project are a book which may be found in English and Spanish, both in printed and digital format, and a video which seeks to move locals and visitors".