San Ignacio de Velasco
South America · Bolivia
Did you know?
- The main church was reconstructed rather than restored and is outside the UNESCO mission listing.
- Carvers at Taller Hermanos Guasase produce wooden artwork.
- Nearby mission visits include San Miguel, San Rafael and Santa Ana.
See also
Santa Ana de Velasco
Bolivia16.58°S 60.69°W · 464 m
San José de Chiquitos
Bolivia17.85°S 60.75°W · 280 m
San Javier
Bolivia16.27°S 62.51°W · 537 m
Overview
San Ignacio de Velasco is a practical base for exploring the Chiquitania mission circuit. Its ornate church and nearby missions make it a quiet stop for architecture and cultural day trips.
Languages: Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish
Why go?
San Ignacio de Velasco is the infrastructure hub of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos region. Its church, while not UNESCO-protected, is the largest and most decorated in all of Chiquitania. The town serves as the base for visiting three other nearby missions at San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Ana, all reachable in a single day. It's a quiet, budget-friendly stop with genuine local atmosphere and practical amenities for overland travelers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting there
San Ignacio de Velasco lies in the eastern Santa Cruz department of Bolivia. The town is connected by bus to San Miguel and San Rafael (for onward mission visits), to San Jose de Chiquitos to the south (Bs50), and to Conception to the west. Getting to Noel Kempff Mercado National Park to the north requires local inquiry, as buses may not operate regularly.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Within San Ignacio, taxis are the primary way to reach sites beyond walking distance. A taxi to the San Juancito indigenous community (12 km west) costs around Bs200 for a round trip with a 4-hour wait. Day trips to the three nearby missions cost approximately Bs400 by taxi, or you can take the daily bus to San Rafael via Santa Ana.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
The main church at the central plaza is the standout sight—the biggest and most decorated in Chiquitania, though it was reconstructed rather than restored and therefore lacks UNESCO World Heritage status. Wooden artwork workshops, such as Taller Hermanos Guasase on av. Rosenhammer between calle Chiquitos and calle Cochabamba, showcase local craftsmanship.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Do
Visit the semi-modern indigenous community of San Juancito, 12 km west of town. Arrange a taxi from San Ignacio (Bs200 round trip with 4-hour wait), take a trufi (Bs140-160), or catch a bus toward Conception and exit at the road pointer. The community has about 100 residents, work fields, and a pond where you can swim. Visitors can help with work, talk with locals (Spanish speakers), and stay overnight in basic accommodation. Leaving a donation is appreciated.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
San Ignacio is known for wooden artwork produced in local workshops. Taller Hermanos Guasase on av. Rosenhammer (between calle Chiquitos and calle Cochabamba) is one such workshop where you can purchase carved wooden pieces.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat
Budget meals are available at the marketplace, where you can find empanadas for breakfast and dinner. Casa Suiza offers breakfast including the local coffee brand for an extra Bs20 if arranged in advance.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sleep
Casa Suiza on calle Sucre is the primary budget option. Rooms cost Bs50 per single (as of 2017), with hard beds, shared bathroom, no kitchen, and no WiFi. The family-run hostal can organize day trips to the three nearby missions for Bs400 and trips to San Juancito. An overnight bus surcharge of half a day's rate may apply.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
The three Jesuit missions of San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Ana are each within reach of San Ignacio. A taxi day trip costs around Bs400; alternatively, take the daily bus to San Rafael via Santa Ana (requires sleeping over if using bus). The community of San Juancito offers a half-day cultural experience 12 km west. San Jose de Chiquitos lies to the south with buses at Bs50.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Head south to San Jose de Chiquitos (Bs50 by bus passing through San Miguel and San Rafael). Head east or north to Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, a wild and magnificent protected area, though transport requires local inquiry. The nearby missions of San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Ana are each reachable from San Ignacio.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Casa Suiza
Nice place and hosts. Bolivian family that runs the place can organize a day trip to the three nearby missions for Bs400. They can take to the community of San Juancito too. Beds are pretty hard, shared bathroom, no kitchen or WiFi. Breakfast (need to arrange), including the local coffee brand, is extra Bs20.
Recorded price: Single Bs50 (as of 2017. You will also be charged a half day if you choose to hang around for a night bus)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Marketplace eateries
Local food stalls at the marketplace serving empanadas for breakfast and dinner
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Taller Hermanos Guasase
Local workshop producing carved wooden artwork
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
The church
The church is the biggest and probably the most decorated in Chiquitania, but is not UNESCO-protected, as it was not restored but reconstructed.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Day trip to nearby Jesuit missions
Visit San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Ana churches in one day from San Ignacio
Recorded price: Taxi ~Bs400
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Visit a semi-modern local Indian Community of San Juancito
To get there, find yourself a taxi from San Ignacio - i.e. you can ask to bring you there, leave for 4 h and then come back for you, all for Bs200. Community people tell that to come with "trufi" is cheaper and could cost Bs140-160. There is a bus option as well (take a bus to Concepción and jump out at the road pointer), but you have to think of how you are coming back. People tell the community has (as of 2012) about 100 years. The community has a village, work fields and a pond. The people kindly welcomes tourists, tell that some come and spend several weeks (there is some accommodation available) with them. It is interesting to see how the people live, to talk (they talk Spanish) and to help at work. After hard work take a heavenly swim in the pond. You may leave them some money, when leaving - they'll need it to buy goods from the town.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Casa Suiza has no WiFi. Connectivity options are limited in this small town; plan accordingly.
Money
Local currency is the Boliviano (Bs). Casa Suiza charges Bs50/night; day trips by taxi cost around Bs400; meals at the market are budget-friendly.
Transport
Taxis are the main local transport for day trips; daily buses connect to San Rafael (via Santa Ana) and San Jose de Chiquitos.