Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
963-5018; dm B$50, s/d/tr B$100/150/210)
A typical mission circuit lodging on the
main plaza, with Chiquitano-ornamented rooms arranged around little green patios.
PENSION
Residencial de Chiquitano $
(
963-5171; s/d B$65/120, s/d without cable TV or fan B$45/80;
) On the main road
a little way up from the bus stop this is a clean and bright hostel on two floors decorated
with toucan and macaw motifs. Ask for room 16 or 17 for killer views of the surrounding
hills, but don't even think of getting a room without a fan unless it's cold outside.
El Ganadero $
(mains B$20-30)
Half-decent home-cooked meals and a good-value
almuerzo
(set lunch,
B$20), but the uncooperative service will have you rushing to finish.
BOLIVIAN
Pascana $
(mains B$20-25)
The food is home cooked and good value and the family atmosphere and
smiling waiters make all the difference.
BOLIVIAN
Getting There & Away
All Santa Cruz-Concepción buses pass through San Javier (B$30, six hours), stopping on
the main road a short walk from the main plaza. Connections to Concepción pass through
every three hours or so from noon to midnight, along the way look out for the Piedras de
Paquio rock formation on your right side at Km 322. Buses for San Ignacio de Velasco
pass through around 4pm and 9:30pm, but the road is in a terrible state and it's a tiresome
journey. For the return to Santa Cruz you can avoid the often overcrowded buses by tak-
ing a taxi (B$50, 4½ hours); these leave when full. Listen for them honking for passengers
along the main road.
CONCEPCIÓN
3 / POP 14,500
Sleepy 'Conce' is a dusty village with a friendly, quiet atmosphere in the midst of an agri-
cultural and cattle-ranching area. It stands 182km west of San Ignacio de Velasco and is
the center for all the mission restoration projects. The town is the most visited of the mis-
sions, partly because of its accessibility (the asphalt road ends here), but also because its
picture-perfect church is one of the most elaborate on the circuit.
