Although major construction works on the outskirts of the city continue, the task of giving the centre of Santa Cruz a facelift has virtually finished.

An ambitious project, and one that had the residents complaining for months about the noise and inconvenience, has come to fruition; several roads in the city centre are no longer open to traffic meaning that getting around Santa Cruz on foot is a pleasure. In addition to the now pedestrians-only streets, the council has spent money on extra lighting, new landscaped areas and plenty of benches - much to the delight of footsore visitors!

So, whether it is for a shopping spree or just for a stroll around this charming and cosmopolitan city, with its fine stores and restaurants, bazaars and pavement cafés, colourful flower beds and Indian laurel-lined boulevards, palm trees and the busy harbour, you’ll be enchanted with Santa Cruz’s new look.