The I Southern Cross Games (Spanish: Juegos Cruz del Sur) were a multi-sport event held from November 3 to November 12, 1978, in La Paz, Bolivia, with some events in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

La Paz already organized last year's Bolivarian Games and, with the necessary infrastructure already being present, hosted the majority of the events.

[1] An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere,[2] emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams.

[3] The South American Torch was lit by Bolivian athletes Roberto Prado in La Paz, Isabel Alemán in Cochabamba, and José Ernesto Roca in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

The Athlete's Oath was sworn by cyclist Edgar Cueto in La Paz, by judoka Ladislao Moravek in Cochabamba, and by fencer Luís Darío Vásquez in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.