File:Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó (14705833321).jpg

The Spanish mission of San Francisco Javier was initially founded by the Jesuit missionary Francisco María Piccolo in 1699 at a spring called Biaundó by the native Cochimí, about 8 kilometers north of the mission's subsequent location.

The site was abandoned in 1701 because of a threatened Indian revolt, but was reestablished by Juan de Ugarte in 1702. Several years later, it was moved to the better-watered present location of the community of San Javier, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The energetic Ugarte constructed dams, aqueducts, and stone buildings. Between 1744 and 1758, Miguel del Barco was responsible for building what has been called "the jewel of the Baja California mission churches" (Vernon 2002:26). The mission which is officially named Misión San Francisco Xavier de Viggé-Biaundó, is one of the best-preserved missions in Baja. The present mission dates back 1758 and has survived the years so well that is is still in use as a church.

The village that surrounds the mission is small, even by Baja standards, with a population of less than 150. San Javier can easily make you think that time machines really do exist. If it weren't for the vehicles in the village you could easily imagine that you set the date on your time machine for 1875.

This charming village has a few very basic accommodations, one small restaurant and a small store, with limited supplies. The main street, that leads to the mission is cobblestone and many of the modest homes display a huge variety of colorful flowers and different types of fruit trees, that grow so well in this semi-oasis environment.

The mission is the centerpiece of the village and is visited frequently by tourists on day trips from Loreto. Residents from all over southern Baja also visit this tranquil village on a regular basis.