The Plaza de Armas in San Ignacio is small and unexpected. Where most Peruvian provincial plazas are arid concrete or municipal-trimmed grass, San Ignacio's is well-planted, the benches painted, the church on the south side modest but maintained. The town's evening social rhythm centres on it — local families come out to walk, children kick footballs, and a couple of the small coffee stalls stay open into the evening.
A reasonable place to sit with a Cafenor coffee at dusk, watch the light go off the surrounding hills, and orient yourself for the rest of a visit. The post office, several pharmacies, and a few small restaurants all sit around the square.