San Lorenzo

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San Lorenzo was originally a Jesuit mission, but after the order was expelled from the country, it was reestablished as a town in 1775. Since then, it’s grown into the third largest city in the country, while still retaining its historic character. While much of the city is made up of modern developments, there are still elegant colonial houses to be found, and craft-lovers won’t want to miss the ethnographic exhibits at the Museo Boggiani. Along with showcasing the country’s traditional dress and handicrafts, the attached shop has the best and largest selection of indigenous craft in the country. The city’s spiritual heart is its main plaza, which is dominated by San Lorenzo’s beautiful, blue Neo-Gothic Cathedral. While the building itself dates from the 19th century, it stands on the same site as the original Jesuit chapel.