Jesuit missions were founded at the end of the 17th century by the (Spanish) Society of Jesus with the aim of evangelizing the region. Those of Chiquitos were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. Extraordinary celebrations take place at Easter and Christmas, as well as during the International Baroque Music Festival (held every two years from late April to early May). These are the best periods to visit the missions, which are then very busy. This itinerary can be done over four days, it allows you to discover the Misiones jesuíticas de Chiquitos from Santa Cruz de la Sierra by making a large loop.
Day 1: Arrival in Santa Cruz
Day 2: Church of San Javier on the way to Concepción
Day 3: Church of the Concepción and heading towards San Ignacio
Day 4: Direction San José de Chiquitos
Day 5: Return to Santa Cruz
©Arnaud BONNEFOY
Arrival by plane to Santa Cruz de La Sierra. The country's economic capital is located in the country's eastern plains, at an altitude of less than 500 metres. It is also the most populated city in the country with just over 1.5 million inhabitants.
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Santa Cruz - San Javier - Concepción (almost all of the road is paved, although some parts are still in poor condition). Departure by car to San Javier, by the road that leads to l'Oriente (4 hours of travel and 230 km). Visit to the church of San Javier, built in 1752, famous for its woodcarvings. The church is still active and has been restored by UNESCO. Then continue to Concepción (1 hour drive and 60 km) where you will spend the night. The route crosses admirable landscapes where countless greens burst out in a wild and exuberant nature, particularly beautiful between November and July. The highlight of the trip is the crossing of the Pirai River by an endless bridge.
©Arnaud BONNEFOY
Concepción - San Ignacio de Velasco (160 km, from the track except at the beginning). Visit of the Concepción mission. Founded in 1708 by the Jesuit Lucas Caballero, it became a civil administration sixty years later. Its church is considered as the jewel of the region, take the time to admire it. Then head for San Ignacio, the largest village on the Jesuit Mission Route with its 35,000 inhabitants. You are very close here to Brazil, whose cultural influence is strongly felt. Allow 4 hours of travel time. Visit the mission and spend the night there.
©Patrice ALCARAS
San Ignacio - San Miguel (37 km) - San Rafael (35 km) - Santa Ana (24 km) - San Miguel (24 km) - San José de Chiquitos (130 km). A total of 250 km. Leave early in the morning and spend the night in San Jose. San Miguel, San Rafael and Santa Ana are quiet small towns where time seems to have stopped. Stroll through their streets, visit the church, let yourself be immersed in the special atmosphere of this corner of Bolivia.
San José de Chiquitos - Santa Cruz. Visit of the San José mission in the morning. San Jose is the third oldest of the Chiquitos missions, it was founded in 1696. It is one of four missions that have kept the original location of their first foundation. The city is quite quiet, similar to the Santa Cruz of a few years ago: wide and dusty streets, like coming out of a western, with its cowboys, its breeders, and a main square just as dusty but with a certain charm. Then return to Santa Cruz, which is 290 km away. The new road linking the two cities is almost entirely paved, it takes about 4 hours to drive.
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