San Ignacio de Velasco

San Ignacio is a hot and dusty commercial centre lying on the main transport route going east to Brazil. A series of wide streets made of red earth run from the busy market area down to a large plaza fronted by the church, which is now nearly completely restored.

It was, in fact, a lack of funds for restoration which led to the demolition of San Ignacio's Jesuit churchin 1948, exactly two hundred years after it was built. Hans Roth's replacement is again painted beautifully on the outside with a simple design and is an exact replica of the original, apart from the incongruous concrete bell tower. Inside, the pillars are carved but not painted, there is an elaborate high altar and pulpit, paintings and statues of saints. If it is closed at lunch you may be able to get in through the iron gate to the right, the last door on the left. A museumin the Casa de la Cultura on the plaza houses a few musical instruments from the old church.

On the outskirts of town, down the road behind the church, is the artificial LagunaGuapomó, the source of the town's potable water. It is good for swimming, boating and fishing. The town hosts a fiesta on 31 July in the Casa de la Cultura, held on the plaza.

San Ignacio is the main starting off point for an overland visit to the Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado. The park office is on the plaza. A very rough road runs the 200 km north to La Florida, which is 25 km west of the park's only vehicular entrance at Los Fierros.