San Ignacio de Moxos is the provincial capital and a specific cultural point of reference for Moxos. Those looking to explore the destination through its history and culture will find three distinct points of interest here: the Ichapekene Piesta, temple architecture and a museum. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing these local sights from the broader context of the higher-level destination of Beni.

The Ichapekene Piesta in San Ignacio de Moxos

The Ichapekene Piesta reinterprets the Moxeño creation myth of the victory of the Jesuit Ignacio de Loyola and connects it with Indigenous beliefs and traditions. It was inscribed by UNESCO in 2012. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific dates before booking.

Temple Architecture and Museum

The Templo de San Ignacio has three naves and a raised roof. The number of naves describes the layout of the church interior; the raised roof is another feature of its design. The Templo Misional de San Ignacio de Moxos dates from 1752, adding a historical date to these architectural details. The design and year thus offer different kinds of orientation.

The Museo de Mojos “Viñupapaika Eta Vitaresira” is another sight in San Ignacio de Moxos. It complements the cultural points of interest alongside the festival and buildings. If the museum is an important part of your plans, check current visiting options in advance.

The Higher-Level Destination of Beni

In the higher-level destination of Beni, handicrafts are made from palm fibres and fine woods. This adds a craft perspective alongside the festival-related points of interest, distinguished by its materials from the narrative interpretation of the Ichapekene Piesta.

Forty-eight groups take part in the main procession of the Ichapekene Piesta. They wear masks depicting ancestors and animals, highlighting the importance of respect for nature. In Beni, the Gran Fiesta de la Santísima Trinidad is also called the Chope Fiesta. For clarity, these festival references should be distinguished: the 48 groups belong to the main procession of the Ichapekene Piesta; Chope Fiesta refers to the Gran Fiesta de la Santísima Trinidad.

The wildlife is also part of the higher-level destination of Beni. Beni is home to the bufeo and the blue-throated macaw (Paraba Barba Azul). The bufeo is a freshwater dolphin; the blue-throated macaw is another named point of reference for the region’s wildlife.

The rivers of Beni include the Mamoré, the Beni and the Iténez; they are also used as transport routes. A trip along the Río Mamoré leads into the vast Bolivian Amazon region, the habitat of the bufeo. While the three rivers are associated with regional transport, the Mamoré is also linked to a journey into the Amazon region.

This change of scale can help you choose the focus of your trip: San Ignacio brings together specific cultural themes of the town, while the higher-level destination of Beni broadens the perspective to include crafts, wildlife and rivers.

Discover more destinations: Basilea, Cercado, José Ballivián, Vaca Diez, Marbán.

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