Belo Horizonte

Understand

Founded in 1897, Belo Horizonte (or simply "BH" (beh-ah-GAH) to locals) is a little over a century old. With a metropolitan population reaching more than 5 million (edging out Salvador), it was built as a planned city to take the place of Ouro Preto as the state's capital. Its layout features square sections delineated by broad avenues, intersected diagonally by smaller streets. The city lies in the center of the Minas Gerais state, and was intended to bring together the many parts of this very diverse state.

Climate

Belo Horizonte is located at 852 meters (2,795 feet) in altitude and therefore temperatures rarely reach extremes of cold or heat. Maximum temperatures typically reach 29°C (84 °F) in summer and 25°C in winter (77 °F), and the average low in winter is 15 °C (59°F). The rainy season is in the hottest months, between October and March. During these months, thunderstorms are almost daily, with long periods of continuous rain and can flood some parts of the city, causing inconvenience. Due to the Serra do Curral mountains, there is rarely a very strong wind in the city.

Local information Belo Horizonte City Government website

Getting there

By bus BH is a major national hub for bus travel. There are two intercity bus stations:

1 Terminal Rodoviário de Belo Horizonte. It is downtown at the northern end of Afonso Pena Avenue. 2 Terminal Turístico JK. When departing from BH, check beforehand, from where your bus departs from. Approximate travel times from other capitals:

Brasília - 10 hours Rio de Janeiro - 7 hours São Paulo - 8 hours

By plane BH is served by two airports:

3 Confins Airport (Aeroporto Internacional Tancredo Neves CNF IATA) (Rodovia MG 010 S/N, 40 km - Confins/MG.), ☏ +55 31 3689-2700. Confins connects the city with direct flights to the USA, the Caribbean and Europe, and to most major cities in Brazil through domestic flights. It's about 40 km from the city center. To get to the city center (around Mercadão), expect to pay around R$ 75 for uber-like ride services, or R$ 125 for a cab. There are also two types of bus services: "conventional" for R$ 13,50 and "executive" for R$ 29,40 and some itineraries desserve Pampulha Airport and the City Bus Station - details at Conexão Aeroporto website. (updated Jan 2019) 4 Pampulha Airport (PLU IATA Aeroporto Carlos Drummond de Andrade) (9 km from downtown). For a few domestic flights, especially within the state of Minas Gerais.

By car You can safely drive to Belo Horizonte from major Brazilian cities, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Vitoria. You have to pay toll on the roads from Rio de Janeiro and from São Paulo. All major car rental companies can be found in Brazil. You can also drive from/to the historical cities of Minas Gerais, like Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, Diamantina, São João del Rey, Mariana and others. The roads and the city of Belo Horizonte are GPS mapped. Be sure that the GPS contains the latest version of the maps.

By train Belo Horizonte is one of very few Brazilian cities with a scheduled long-distance train service. A daily morning train operated by mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce takes around 12 hr to get to Cariacica's Pedro Nolasco station, which is one bridge hop away from Vitória, the island capital of Espírito Santo state. As of Jan 2019, tickets cost R$ 105 for first class (executiva) and R$ 73 for second class (econômica). The central station, 5 Estação Central, is located in the city centre on Av. dos Andradas.

Getting around

On foot If you plan to get around the city center on foot, you might want to take a map. Because the city grid is laid out with both ordinal and diagonal streets, it is very easy to take a wrong turn. Also, the land where the city was built has plenty of hills, so one should wear comfortable shoes to go up and down the streets. At night, stay on the main avenues and streets for safety, because it can be dangerous.

By bus BH is well served by buses. The SC buses circulate through the downtown area; others serve outlying neighborhoods. To pay the bus tariff, you can use cash, or the electronic billing card (Cartão BHBUS). For the tourist, it's recommended to use cash. As of 2014, you can buy a rechargeable bus card with the onboard agent or the driver for R$12. You can recharge it on some BRT stations, BHTrans offices or even into some buses. From 2016, the bus tariff is R$3.70 (or R$ 2.65 for some feeder lines or specific lines) The buses are color-coded:

Blue buses go from one region of the city to another, via the city center; Lemonish-and-gray normal and articulated buses are from the municipal BRT service. Usually, they link some specific stations to some region of the city, and are feed by the yellow or green buses, as well. These buses have air conditioned system, and a little more of comfort. Yellow buses are called "circular" (or SC) buses - they circulate within a single city region, and unlike other bus lines, travel in a roughly circular route. Stay on long enough, and you'll eventually loop back to where you originally boarded; Orange buses go from one region of the city to another, without going through downtown (there are very few of these lines). It also serves for the Orange minibuses as well (as known as "Suplementar") Green buses serve BHBUS bus stations, going from a BHBUS station to downtown and then back or connecting two different BHBUS stations. Grey buses (can be identified by the SE prefix in line number), are the special executive service, and it's a more expensive buses, that circulate through some specific regions. These lines have free Wi-Fi and Air Conditioned system. Some companies sometimes use temporary replacements buses with the wrong color, so even though the colors can help, always pay attention to the line number. If you are outside the downtown area (and wish to go there), take a blue bus headed in that direction. As there is no bus map, remember its number to find your way back. Keep in mind that the return route may be on a different street than where you got off. Check BHTrans-Ônibus official website of the

See

Note that a lot of places including museums, the parque municipal and the Mangueira park are closed on Mondays.

1 Pampulha. This 1940s neighborhood has some of the highlights of Brazil modern architecture, including the São Francisco de Assis Church, designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer (designer of the United Nations building in NYC and also Brasilia, Brazil's capital) . The building is not shocking by itself, until you realize it was meant to be a church. Not surprisingly, the Catholic Church refused to consecrate it for more than one decade. Next to the church, there's the Parque Guanabara, an amusement park that is small, but worth visiting. In Pampulha lies the world-famous Iate Tenis Clube, founded along with the Pampulha Architectural Complex designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Invitations to the club can be bought at the place (they are free if you know someone affiliated to the club). The Pampulha Modern Ensemble is listed as a world heritage site. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Mineirão Stadium. One of the largest and newly renovated stadiums in Brazil, where several matches from the FIFA Federation Coup (2013) and FIFA World Cup (2014) were played including the infamous 1-7 semifinal loss in Brazil v Germany. It is located at Pampulha neighborhood. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Mangabeiras Park. This is an amazing place for nature lovers, a place where the Cerrado mixes with the Atlantic Forest, this is a great visit for children and family. (updated Jan 2025) 4 Praça da Liberdade. A beautiful palm tree-lined square, sidelined by interesting buildings from the 19th century, including the seat of the State Government, and a curvaceous (yes, you can use this word to describe an Oscar Niemeyer building) edifice from the 1960s. Also museums and a Planetarium (you can get tickets for free). (updated Jan 2025) 5 Museum of Arts and Crafts, Praça Rui Barbosa, Centro, ☏ +55 31 3248-8600, [email protected]. Tu Th F 12:00-17:00, W 12:00-21:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00; groups: daily, from 09:00-12:00. The Museu de Artes e Ofícios is installed in the 19th-century buildings of the former Central Train Station. Its collection shows the richness of Brazilian popular work and professions before the country's industrialization. R$4. Saturday - free. 6 Alta Vila Tower (Located in the district of Nova Lima, (Belo Horizonte city Metro area)). This tower offers a spectacular view of Belo Horizonte and its surrounding mountains. On the main floor is the Hard Rock Cafe - Belo Horizonte. (updated Jan 2025) 7 Parque Municipal. An oasis of green right in the centre of downtown. Based on Fren

Do

Watch the sunset at Parque das Mangabeiras. See the metropolitan area illuminated at night by visiting Praça do Papa, in the Mangabeiras district (recommended for those with a car). Take a seat in one of the many bars scattered throughout the city. There is a myth that Belo Horizonte is the city with the most bars per capita in the country. The motto is "If there is no sea, let's go to the bar" Sit down in a square and strike up a conversation. If you have a few days available on your trip, visit Serra do Cipó National Park . 100km from BH, it is a great place for camping, mountaineering, trekking, caving and other extreme activities. With a good tourist infrastructure, it is also suitable for those who like to rest close to nature. Access via the MG 10 highway.

Events Arraial de Belo. To celebrate the June festivals, a type of typical Brazilian party, this traditional contest chooses the best typical dance group. The event takes place annually in June and July and is accompanied by great craft fairs and typical foods that take place in various parts of the city. Axé Brazil. Largest Bahian music event outside Bahia. It happens every year at the Mineirão Stadium, usually in March or April. Comida di Buteco. Gastronomic festival held annually, where several bars in the city compete with dishes created by themselves. It is a great opportunity to taste good dishes and meet a lot of beautiful people, as during this period the bars are packed with festival lovers. The event usually takes place between April and May.

Theater and Dance Campanha de Popularização do Teatro e da Dança (Campaign to populize Theatre and Dance). Theater and dance pieces by large groups from the Minas Gerais art scene. The campaign is already traditional and takes place every year, in January and February. Festa da França (Feast of France). Carried out by the community and the French consulate to commemorate the 14th of July (Date of the Fall of the Bastille). The event includes the sale of typical French wines, food and products, as well as cultural presentations. Occurs in the month of July. Festa Tradicional Italiana (Traditional Italian Feast). Annual event that promotes integration between Brazilians, Italians and Italian descendants. The party has shows and stands with typical food and products. It takes place in the second half of May and is promoted by ACIBRA MG Festival Internacional de Teatro (International Theater Festival). FIT is a biennial event, in even years, that brings theater groups from all over the world to Belo Horizonte. The presentations take place in vari

Buy

1 BH Shopping (in the Belvedere area and close to Nova Lima road). BH's oldest and largest shopping malls, with shops, a food court, movie theatre and games. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Shopping Del Rey, Avenida Presidente Carlos Luz, 3001. Another of BH's oldest and largest shopping malls, with shops, food court, movie theatre and games. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Minas Shopping, Avenida Cristiano Machado, 4.000 (Metrô station nearby). Among the largest shopping malls, with shops, a food court, movie theatre and games. (updated Jan 2025) 4 Diamond Mall, Avenida Olegário Maciel, 1600. A very refined (and usually expensive) shopping center. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Pátio Savassi, Avenida do Contorno, 6061. Also very refined (and usually expensive) shopping center, in the heart of Savassi. (updated Jan 2025) 6 Mercado Central, Avenida Augusto de Lima and R. Curitiba. A large, traditional indoor market founded in 1929 where you can find tofu, whole grains, cheese, meat, herbs, traditional foods, religious articles, fruit, live birds, pots, souvenirs and lots of other stuff. It's one of the most visited places in the city. (updated Jan 2025) 7 Hippie Fair, Av. Afonso Pena (in front of the Municipal Park). Every Sunday, from 08:00-14:00. This artesian fair is one of the largest in the country and offers everything from crafts to jewelry, furniture to souvenir, clothing to food. Receives from up to 100,000 people every Sunday. Definitively worth the visit. (updated Jan 2025)

Eat

Minas Gerais is renowned for its cuisine across Brazil, and is the origin of many famous foods such as pão de queijo (small baked roll made with cheese and cassava flour) and feijoada (black bean and meat stew). Like elsewhere in Brazil, restaurant food is typically served in some variation of a buffet.

Budget

Around the central bus station 1 Restaurante Chen Chang Kee Noodle House - Galeria BH, R. Curitiba, 130. Chinese (updated Aug 2022) 2 Marilanches, R. Curitiba, 207. Snack bar (updated Aug 2022)

Around the Praça Sete de Setembro 3 A Pastelândia, R. Rio de Janeiro, 438. (updated Aug 2022) 4 Gruta do Paulista, Rua dos Tupis, 149 - Loja 3. (updated Aug 2022) 5 Cozinha Mineira, Rua dos Goitacazes, 376. (updated Aug 2022) 6 Expressa Gula Restaurante e Lanchonete, Ed. Amazonia - Av. Amazonas, 717. (updated Aug 2022) 7 A Seu Gosto Espaço Gourmet, Rua dos Tupinambás, 187. (updated May 2022) 8 Apetite Bar e Restaurante, Av. Amazonas, 96. (updated Aug 2022)

Around the Praça Raul Soares 9 Restaurante Moriah, Rua dos Tupis, 987. (updated Aug 2022) 10 1000 Graus, Av. Bias Fortes, 1401. (updated May 2022) 11 Restaurante Celeiro, R. Mato Grosso, 652. Buffet (updated Aug 2022) 12 Coqueiros Grill, R. São Paulo, 1444. (updated Aug 2022) 13 Restaurante la em casa, Rua dos Timbiras, 2022. (updated Aug 2022)

Mid-range For a good sample of traditional mineira food, here are some options:

14 Dona Lucinha Restaurante, R. Padre Odorico, 38, ☏ +55 31 3261-5930, [email protected]. M-F 12:00-15:00 and 20:00-00:00, Sa 12:00-17:00 and 20:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-17:00. (updated Aug 2022) 15 Restaurante Xapuri, Rua Mandacaru, 260 (Pampulha, near the Pampulha Lake and the City Zoo). Tu-Th 11:00-23:00, F Sa 11:00-02:00 and Sunday and holidays 11:00-18:00. It has live music from W-Su (and holidays). (updated Aug 2022) For great international food, here are some options:

16 Restaurante Bem Natural Savassi, R. Pte. Nova, 464 - Floresta. If your food tastes lean toward brown rice and tofu, try Bem Natural. This is both a snack bar with tuna and chicken sandwiches on whole wheat, and a por quilo buffet with stuffed tomatoes, vegetarian feijoada, and brown rice. (updated Aug 2022)

Splurge 17 Porcão, Avenida Raja Gabaglia 2671, ☏ +55 31 3293 8787. Cep:30350-540. One of the most famous restaurants in BH is the steakhouse chain Porcão. Considered to have the best meat in BH, it is also one of the most expensive in town. Some nights there are live performances by some of the more well-known performers in BH. (updated May 2022)

Drink & nightlife

People from BH are famous for their love of bars. The central Savassi neighborhood has dozens of bars. The city is widely known (although without any confirmation) as the city with most bars per capita in the world. Some clubs that charge a cover are overrated and expensive. The outdoor bar scene is the authentic Brazilian experience. Good places to look for a bar: Avenida Prudente de Morais Rua Marília de Dirceu (follow it while it becomes Rua Curitiba and then Rua São Paulo—yeah, that's how streets work in Belo Horizonte) Rua Pium-í crossing with Rua Passatempo Avenida Fleming (only if you are in the Pampulha region) You may know it only as an ingredient in vitamin pills, but here you can get fresh acerola puree in orange juice squeezed before your eyes. This is called a vitamina with good reason. The fruit is perishable and is stored on ice. Other fruits prepared the same way are abacaxi (pineapple), açaí, banana, and mamão (papaya). Although Savassi is the place to go on Friday and Saturday nights, Trevo Five Place (close to the Hard Rock Cafe) is a great spot on Thursday nights. The dancing is great however the environment is not for the cautious. The state of Minas Gerais is famous for their cachaça (distilled spirit similar to rum made from sugarcane juice). It is the main ingredient of the famous caipirinha cocktail, but Brazilians enjoy drinking it straight as well. Another great drink is a sweet tasting wine-like substance called pronounced "catuaba". If you're looking for some dancing and clubbing visit 1 naSala. For sure the best nightlife in town. Expect to meet beautiful people. 2 Rei Do Pastel, Savassi. Rei Do Pasetel is a small little corner bar located in the centre of Savassi. It has cheap shots, cheap food and always has something interesting going on, a great place for backpackers.

Sleep

Major high-rise hotels are generally on Av. Afonso Pena or at Savassi neighborhood, while mid-range and budget accommodations are clustered around the train station.

Budget 1 Rock! and Hostel, Rua Cristina, 1185 (Santo Antõnio), ☏ +55 31 2531-0579. Located in the most exclusive area of the capital, 10 minutes walk from Savassi Rock! and Hostel offers a truly Brazilian experience, with comfort, safety and fun. 2 Hostel Chalé Mineiro, Rua Santa Luzia, 288 (Santa Efigênia), ☏ +55 31 3467-1576. This hostel is a member of Hostelling International and has a nice swimming pool for its guests. (From Rodoviaria take bus 9801 (Saudade-Santa Cruz), at Rua dos Caetés, or the subway to the Santa Tereza station) 3 Hostel Sossego da Pampulha, Av. Coronel Jose Dias Bicalho, 1258 (Quite distant from downtown but really closer to Pampulha's Lake), ☏ +55 31 3439-3250. 4 Hotel São Bento, Rua dos Guaranis, 438 (Located within walking distance of Mercado Central, Parque Municipal and Minascentro Exhibition Centre), ☏ +55 31 3025-3399, +55 31 3271-3399. Good value.

Mid-range 5 Normandy Hotel, Rua Tamois, 212, ☏ +55 31 3115-9500. The Normandy Hotel highlight is its great location, right at the cultural, commercial and financial hub of Belo Horizonte, making it a good option for travellers looking for commodity and agility when staying in town. (updated May 2015)

Go next

Hostels and private rooms are available in the following towns. All of them have direct connections by intercity bus from Belo Horizonte. For more details, look into the 'Get In' section of any of the destinations:

In the south-east Ouro Preto – 100 km. With its unique beauty and precious streets, houses, churches and historic buildings. It was the first Brazilian city to be named a World Heritage Site. The town has the richest ensemble of Baroque buildings in the America. Ouro Preto is one of the most popular travel destinations in Brazil. Viçosa – 220 km. It is a city that attracts many people from Brazil and other countries due to scientific-academic events that take place around universities, totaling approximately 500 events annually. Its population is mostly made up of young people, which gives the city its own dynamic, in addition to the large number of parties that take place during the week.

In the west Brumadinho – 50 km. In the botanic park Inhotim are lagoons and all kinds of palm trees. It has galleries and pieces from various contemporary artists. The nearby Serra da Moeda is a place for extreme sports. Divinopolis – 120 km. The highlights are the Lake of Roses and the beach at Carmo do Cajuru. Capitólio – 280 km. It has become a tourism destination due to its beautiful waterfalls and clear water rivers. The Furnas Canyon is the main attraction with its stone walls enclosed by a lake formed by a dam. The nickname for the city is "Queen of the Lakes". Passos – 380 km. It's near Capitólio and also at the Furnas Canyon. Passos is famous for its good parties, which include shows, bars and night clubs.

In the south São João del Rei – 190 km. It is the largest of the colonial mining towns in Minas Gerais. There is a steam locomotive to the nearby town of Tiradentes. Lavras – 240 km. In the Ecological Park Quedas do Rio Bonito are swimming pools, walking trails, a tree climbing circuit, a gazebo overlooking the entire park, zip line and a lagoon with pedal boats. You can make a tour on the funnel dam. Juiz de Fora – 270 km. The presence of immigrants – especially from Portugal, Italy, Germany, Syria and Lebanon and more recently China – throughout its history has given the city a cosmopolitan spirit and diverse cuisine. It's a gay-friendly city. Its nickname is "Manchester Mineira". From there to Petrópolis. São Thomé das Letras – 310 km. It is a tourist city, known for its stone buildings, natural jungle, waterfalls, caves and its mystical climate that attract people from all over the world. Mystics seek the city as a refuge to meditate