Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Concepción is one of the former missions of Chiquitos established in the north of the Santa Cruz region by Jesuit missionaries in the eighteenth century.
Located 300km from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the capital of the Santa Cruz region, Concepción is a quiet little town crisscrossed by dirt ochre roads and wooden and adobe houses. Only motorcycles driving around break the stupor of this eastern Bolivian city.
Concepción's star attraction is its magnificent Baroque church. Inside this wooden-columned building, I could see the passion of Christ represented in the colourful paintings. The clock tower, also made of wood, is worth a visit. The city is full of artisan carpentry that you can check out.
If you're near Concepción in early December, don't miss the Semana Santa ("Holy Week") celebrations. It's an opportunity to learn more about the religious syncretism which prevails in Bolivia.