San José de Chiquitos
South America · Bolivia
Did you know?
- The mission church complex uses adobe brick, stone and plaster rather than a mainly wooden structure.
- Cerro Turubó is an isolated hill with forest sections and summit views.
- Santa Cruz la Vieja preserves traces of the original city's streets south of town.
See also
San Ignacio de Velasco
Bolivia16.37°S 60.95°W · 300 m
Santa Cruz
Bolivia17.80°S 63.17°W · 416 m
Santa Ana de Velasco
Bolivia16.58°S 60.69°W · 464 m
Overview
San José de Chiquitos centers on a Jesuit church complex built with adobe, stone and plaster. Its position between the eastbound corridor and northern missions makes it a useful stop on a Chiquitania circuit.
Languages: Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish
Why Go?
San José de Chiquitos is a small colonial town that serves as one of the best-preserved examples of the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike other missions built heavily with wood, San José's church complex stands out for its adobe brick, stone, and plaster construction. The town also marks a strategic junction for travelers exploring the Chiquitania region, sitting at the crossroads of routes to Santa Cruz, Puerto Quijarro, and the northern missions.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting In
San José de Chiquitos lies along major overland routes. Buses run frequently between Santa Cruz and Puerto Quijarro, with the town as a stop along this corridor. Up to two buses daily connect to San Ignacio de Velasco in the counter-clockwise mission circuit. Red Oriental trains also pass through, linking Santa Cruz to eastern destinations. The town has a railway station for those arriving by train.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting Around
The town is walkable and centered around the main square. Mototaxis provide affordable transport for longer distances, such as the 2 km journey to Santa Cruz la Vieja historical park. Local drivers include Adam Mototaxi (tel. 73981271) and Alex Mototaxi (tel. 77388714), with rides back to town typically costing around Bs20.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to Go
The dry season (May to October) offers more comfortable hiking conditions with less sun exposure. During the wet season, the natural landscapes in Santa Cruz la Vieja park reach their most beautiful state, though trails can be muddy and the sun intense year-round. The colonial church complex can be visited any time.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Stay
Accommodation options are limited but functional. The guesthouse at the Chiquitano-Ayoreo museum on Calle Ovidio Barbeay offers simple single rooms for Bs40, with calm atmosphere and friendly staff located a block east and half a block north from the main square's northeastern corner.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and Drink
Small eateries cluster around the main square serving simple local fare. Sabor y Arte at the southwestern corner of the square offers a nicer interior and service, with a salad and 1.5L lime drink totaling around Bs50. The restaurant is described as kind of expensive for the area, indicating budget travelers should seek out simpler local spots.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
The church complex at the main square showcases San José's distinctive adobe, stone, and plaster architecture unlike wooden mission churches elsewhere. Santa Cruz la Vieja historical national park, 2 km south of town, marks the original foundation site of Santa Cruz with ancient street remains, crosses on a hill, and a mirador with panoramic views. Cerro Turubó, a magnificent isolated hill east of town, offers excellent hiking through forest and paved road sections with rewarding summit vistas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day Trips
Santa Cruz la Vieja historical national park sits 2 km south, where the original city of Santa Cruz was founded with preserved urban planning remains and a viewpoint. Cerro Turubó provides a half-day hike a few kilometers east with forest and roadside paths. The nearby town of Chochís offers a unique landscape worth a stop, described as mind-boggling.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go Next
Counter-clockwise along the mission circuit, buses connect to San Ignacio de Velasco. Eastward, frequent buses and less frequent trains go to Roboré for Santiago de Chiquitos access and Pantanal experiences, or to Puerto Quijarro where you can cross the Paraguai River to visit Corumbá in Brazil. Westbound, frequent buses and Red Oriental trains return to Santa Cruz city.
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
A guesthouse at Chiquitano-Ayoreo museum
Calm place with good personnel.
Recorded price: Single Bs40
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Sabor y Arte
Kind of expensive (salad + 1,5 l lime drink is Bs50), bus nice service and interior.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Small eateries around the main square
Simple local food stalls near the plaza for budget meals.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
The church complex (church, belltower, museum)
In contrast to other missions with a lot of wood constructions, the church complex of San José is made from adobe bricks, stones and plaster. The complex is nicely restored.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Climb Cerro Turubó
A magnificent hill that stands out of the plain landscape and offers excellent views (if no mist or smog). The hike is tiring on the paved road, but delighting on the pathway (partly goes through the forest).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Visit Santa Cruz la Vieja historical national park
Being a mix of nature and history this is where the city of Santa Cruz was first founded. The foundation site is marked with some crosses on a hill and still has some remains of ancient urban planning (i.e. streets). You can continue up the hill for the viewpoint (mirador) over San José and rock formation place. The walk can be tiring on a sunny day, because of much exposure to the sun - take enough water with you. It may be a good idea to call a mototaxi (i.e. Adam Mototaxi, tel. 73981271, or Alex Mototaxi, tel. 77388714) in San José to come and take you back into town (Bs20). The nature in the park is at its most beautiful during the wet season.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
No specific SIM card or WiFi information provided for San José de Chiquitos.
Money
Local currency is Boliviano (Bs). Budget accommodation starts around Bs40, meals around Bs50 for those seeking comfort.
Packing
Bring ample water for outdoor activities, especially hikes like Santa Cruz la Vieja and Cerro Turubó where sun exposure is intense.
Transport
San José de Chiquitos sits at a road junction between Santa Cruz-Puerto Quijarro and the northern missions route. Buses and Red Oriental trains pass through.