Santa Ana de Velasco
South America · Bolivia
Did you know?
- The church belongs to the UNESCO-listed Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos.
- An antique organ brought from Potosí stands inside the mission church.
- Cane roofs and wandering donkeys shape the village streetscape.
See also
San Ignacio de Velasco
Bolivia16.37°S 60.95°W · 300 m
San José de Chiquitos
Bolivia17.85°S 60.75°W · 280 m
San Javier
Bolivia16.27°S 62.51°W · 537 m
Overview
Santa Ana de Velasco preserves colonial mission architecture in a small eastern Bolivian village. Its quiet pace suits travelers exploring the Chiquitos mission circuit.
Languages: Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish
Why Go
Santa Ana de Velasco is one of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, a UNESCO World Heritage site preserving 18th-century colonial architecture. This very small village in eastern Bolivia's Santa Cruz department offers a rare sense of quiet and authenticity—life moves slowly here, making it an ideal escape from busier tourist routes. The church of Santa Ana is considered the most authentic among the mission churches.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting In
Access to Santa Ana is via San Ignacio, the main hub for the Chiquitania missions. From San Ignacio, a daily bus stops at Santa Ana. Alternatively, take a taxi directly to Santa Ana from San Ignacio. The village lies in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia, far from major airports or train connections.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting Around
Santa Ana is small enough to explore entirely on foot. The main square serves as the focal point, with the church a short walk away. Donkey carts and occasional animals wandering the pathways give the village its pastoral character.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When To Go
The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October, when weather is comfortable and roads are passable. The wet season (November to April) can make rural roads difficult. Being a UNESCO site, Santa Ana sees few tourists year-round, so any season offers tranquility.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where To Stay
Santa Ana is a small village with very limited accommodation options. Visitors typically stay in San Ignacio and make Santa Ana a day trip, or arrange lodging with local families. There are no hostels or hotels within the village itself. San Ignacio offers basic guesthouses and hostels for overnight stays.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food And Drink
As a tiny village, Santa Ana has no restaurants. Basic food may be available from small local stores or homestay arrangements. For proper meals, visitors should return to San Ignacio, which has simple restaurants serving Bolivian fare.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things To Do
The main attraction is the church and belltower at the main square, where Bs15 gets you inside to see an antique organ over 200 years old (brought from Potosí), a local-made harp, and clay tile floors. Walking around the village offers an unforgettable tranquility experience with cane roofs, simple houses, chickens, and children—a blissful immersion into Chiquitania life. The main square itself is a sight with winding pathways and occasional donkeys.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Santa Ana is a very safe, quiet village with minimal crime. Standard precautions apply—keep valuables secure and be respectful of local customs. Nighttime is extremely quiet with little activity.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Connectivity in Santa Ana is limited or nonexistent. Mobile coverage may be unreliable. For internet access, visitors should return to San Ignacio or larger towns in the Santa Cruz department. No SIM cards or WiFi cafes are available in the village.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go Next
From Santa Ana, continue to the other Jesuit missions: San Rafael and San José. For San José, travel first to San Ignacio (via taxi or buses through San Rafael and San Miguel), then catch a bus to San José. For San Rafael, board the daily bus from San Ignacio that stops at Santa Ana. San Ignacio serves as the main transport hub for all Chiquitania missions.
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.
- see
The church and the belltower
While the church may not look exceptional from outside, the spirit inside is charming - the smell of wood, stripes, flower, authentic clay tiles floor. Inside there is an antique (more than 200 years) organ, brought from Potosí that still works (though now restored - some electronics added). There is also a harf, made by local people. Columns are slightly bent, for the church was finished by local people (they didn't have tools good as the jesuits) after the jesuits left. The belltower calls for restoration work. Bs15 for entry.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
The main square
A sight in itself - winding pathways, grass, occasional donkey.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Walk around the village
This is an unforgettable tranquility and harmony experience in Chiquitania that you are not going to find anywhere else. Being sheer bliss for the soul, the walk (tranquility, cane roofs, simple houses, hens and chickens, kids, etc.) makes you feel as you'd like to spend here an extra day or two.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Mobile coverage and internet are unreliable in Santa Ana. Connectivity improves in San Ignacio. Consider offline maps and downloaded resources.
Entry
Bolivia requires a visa for many nationalities. Check current requirements before travel. Santa Ana has no border crossings or special entry considerations.
Money
The local currency is the Boliviano (Bs). ATMs are in San Ignacio, not in Santa Ana. Bring sufficient cash when visiting the village. The church entry fee is Bs15.
Safety
Santa Ana is extremely safe with minimal crime. Standard travel precautions apply. The village is very quiet at night with little activity.
Transport
Santa Ana is reached via San Ignacio, the regional hub for the Jesuit missions. Daily buses connect San Ignacio to Santa Ana. Taxis are also available from San Ignacio.