San Ignacio de Moxos
Beni Department · Culture and history
San Ignacio de Moxos is the cultural capital of the Llanos de Moxos, the vast flood plains of the Beni. The former Jesuit mission has kept a strong tradition of baroque music and dance. Every 31 July, for the feast of Saint Ignatius, the UNESCO-listed Ichapekene Piesta brings out the macheteros in their feather headdresses for a festival unlike any other in South America.
160 maltitude
1 to 2 daysto spend there
Things to do
- Ichapekene Piesta and the macheteros (31 July)
- Mission church and the baroque music of Moxos
- Isirere lagoon and the birds of the plains
What to eat
- Beni beefThe Beni is cattle country: big grills (churrasco) and dried meat.
- River fishSurubí, pacú or dorado, grilled over a wood fire or fried, with rice, cassava and plantain. Delicious by the water, in the Llanos and the Amazon.
- MasacoMashed plantain or cassava with charque or cheese. Rich and filling.
Tip. 2 to 3 h from Trinidad on a dirt road, often hard going in the rainy season. For the festival, book well ahead.
Also here
- Festivals · UNESCO Ichapekene PiestaThe great festival of San Ignacio de Moxos: the macheteros dance in huge feather headdresses, blending Mojeño traditions and the missions' heritage.
How to get to San Ignacio de Moxos
Trinidad Road (bus, car) · 2 to 3 h
Minibus or shared taxi from Trinidad.
Dirt road, often cut or muddy in the rainy season.
Photos of San Ignacio de Moxos
More places in this region
RurrenabaqueGateway to the Bolivian Amazon, on the Beni river.
Madidi National ParkOne of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Primary forest.
Yacuma PampasWetlands teeming with animals: caimans, capybaras and pink river dolphins.
Barba Azul reserveBeni savannas, refuge of the blue-throated macaw, one of the rarest parrots in the world.
Beni Biosphere ReserveSavannas, forests and lagoons near San Borja: a reserve rich in wildlife, still rarely visited.
Trinidad (Llanos de Moxos)Capital of the Beni, with flood plains and Moxeño culture.
Laguna SuárezA big, quiet lagoon on Trinidad's doorstep, for swimming and eating fish.
CobijaThe capital of Pando, on the Acre river facing Brazil: gateway to the northern Amazon.
Porvenir and the Tahuamanu riverAn Amazon village near Cobija: boat trips on the Tahuamanu and a natural pool.
Puerto Rico and the Manuripi reserveA small town where two rivers meet, gateway to the Manuripi Amazon reserve.
RiberaltaAn Amazon river port where the Beni meets the Madre de Dios, capital of the Brazil nut.
GuayaramerínA border town on the Mamoré river, facing the Brazilian town of Guajará-Mirim.