Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
placed by a modern abomination. Realizing they'd made a hash of it, the architects razed
the replacement and designed a reasonable facsimile of the original structure. The new
version retains a beautiful altar and wooden pillars from the original church and overlooks
an extensive and well-pruned plaza. Several attractive, large wooden crosses (a trademark
of Jesuit mission towns and villages) stand at intersections just off the plaza.
Only 700m north of the church is the imposing
Laguna Guapomó
, where you can
swim or rent a boat and putter around.
Festivals & Events
There's a big party celebrating the
election of Miss Litoral
during the last weekend in
March. San Ignacio fetes its patron saint every July 31. Every summer, the Chiquitania
hosts the
International Festival of Baroque Music
, which runs for several weeks and
centers on San Ignacio de Velasco.
Sleeping
San Ignacio de Velasco is the commercial heart of the mission district, so there's a good
choice of accommodations.
Hotel La Misión $$$
(
962-2333;
www.hotel-lamision.com
; s/d B$400/ 470;
) For a bit of luxury, neoco-
lonial style, try this place on the east side of the plaza. It has chic rooms, a little pool and
opulent suites and there's also a good upmarket restaurant serving an eclectic choice of
dishes. Check out the wooden pillars in front, one is beautifully carved with the image of
a group of Bolivian musicians.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Hotel Palace $
(
962-2063; s/d B$80/160)
'Palace' is overdoing it a bit, but for budget travelers this
simple hotel, in the shadow of the church on the west side of the plaza, couldn't be better
placed. Rooms lack much in the way of imagination but this is still a cheap central option.
HOTEL
Casa Suiza $
(
7630-6798; Sucre; s/d B$35/70)
The helpful proprietor here speaks German and
Spanish, has a wonderful library and can organize horseback riding, fishing trips and vis-
its to surrounding haciendas. Paying B$20 extra gets you a fantastic homemade breakfast.
PENSION
