Belo Horizonte: Best Things to Do
Belo Horizonte is Brazil's sixth most populated city, and although it is not the classic must-visit destination, yet there are several things to do worth putting Belo Horizonte on your itinerary. We've handpicked three best things to do in the city and its surroundings, in case you plan on visiting Minas Gerais state.
Brazil has many cities, but Belo Horizonte alias Beautiful Horizont has for sure the prettiest and most melancholic name.
On top of that, there are many things to do in Belo Horizonte that will keep you busy and entertained.
Despite the fact, the city is not on a typical backpacker's route, we decided to visit it not only to be rebels, but because we wanted to see the best the Minas Gerais state has to offer, and Belo Horizonte, being the largest city in the region, seemed to be a great base for exploring the surroundings.
We spent three days in Belo Horizonte, and during this period had time to explore the best the city and places in the near vicinity have to offer.
Here's our guide on best things to do in Belo Horizonte, Brazil including tips on where to stay, how to get to the city, what to pack and safety advice.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN BELO HORIZONTE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
Belo Horizonte won't win the award for the most beautiful city any time soon, but there are several things to do near Belo Horizonte you should not miss when creating your perfect Brazil itinerary.
Except for a couple of things to see in the city center, we took two one-day trips from Belo Horizonte, one to the exceptional outdoor museum Inhotim, and the second to one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Brazil, Ouro Preto.
BELO HORIZONTE CITY
The truth is, that hadn't it been for Inhotim Museum (which was the main reason why we traveled to the area) and Ouro Preto, we would have not put Belo Horizonte on our list of must-visit places.
On the other hand, it is always fascinating to explore non-touristy places and try to find the beauty in them.
When in Belo Horizonte, you should visit Praca da Liberdade alias Freedom Square which is a park in the city center full of greenery and a nice place to relax.
Another place to see is Mercado Central, where you can buy many food specialties such as cheese because Belo Horizonte is famous for high-quality milk products.
Belo Horizonte means Beautiful Horizont, and the landscape around the city is indeed very photogenic - we always waited for sunset in our hostel to take a photo.
To get the best views of the city, head to the viewpoint at Mirante do Mangabeiras, from where you can also see several cathedrals and churches.
If you are a fan of the most famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer you can find some of his futuristic buildings in Belo Horizonte - to see the best of his work, you can also head to the capital city of Brazil, Brasilia.
As you can see, Belo Horizonte itself has also many interesting things to do, so give the city a chance!
OURO PRETO
Two hours by bus from Belo Horizonte lies the most beautiful colonial city in Brazil, Ouro Preto.
The city was founded in the 17th century when people from all over the world flooded the area during the Gold Rush era because the region around Ouro Preto is rich in gold and minerals.
Ouro Preto can be translated as black gold, but back in times it was known under another name, Villa Rica, alias the rich village.
Although the gold era is long gone, the city still keeps its atmosphere and grandeur.
Ouro Preto is in UNESCO, and you will find here a large number of churches, cobblestone streets, colonial houses with beautiful balconies, but when here, you can also visit museums and mines to experience how the life in Ouro Preto looked like centuries ago.
What makes the city even more interesting is the topography.
Some Ouro Preto's highlights lie on the hills, while some are located much lower, so you will have to walk narrow and precipitous streets up and down many times to see it all, but believe us it is well worth it.
Simply put, Ouro Preto is very different from Paraty, another colonial gem in Brazil you should visit.
INHOTIM MUSEUM
If you think you are not a museum-type traveler, we do not know where else should you change your mind than in Inhotim, one of the largest outdoor museums in the world.
Inhotim Museum is only an hour drive from Belo Horizonte, and it is absolutely must-do activity when in the city. We spent on the grounds all day and would be able to be there even longer hadn't it be time to catch a bus back to Belo Horizonte. Inhotim Museum is an outstanding place and was unlike any museum we've ever seen.
Generally, it is a large botanic garden with many pieces of modern art and installations spread across the grounds, and you can find here also 23 indoor exhibitions (some of them are permanent) with contemporary art.
Although this term is pretty wide, it is not possible to say what exactly you will see in Inhotim, as different types of art will literally attack all your senses.
If traveling by public transport to Inhotim, take a regular bus from Belo Horizonte's terminal (except for Monday when the museum is closed) or a shuttle provided by the museum.
WHERE TO STAY IN BELO HORIZONTE
Belo Horizonte is a large city which offers many accommodation options.
And although the city is not a backpacker's place, it rather hosts business travelers, everyone will be able to find here a hotel suitable for every budget or travel style.
Budget | Br Hostel - This popular hostel in Belo Horizonte offers both private rooms and dormitories, complimentary breakfast, fully equipped kitchen and a roof terrace where you can hang out.
Mid-range | Hotel Financial - Well-rated mid-range hotel is located in the center of Belo Horizonte, and offers a great value for money.
Luxury | Hotel Fasano Belo Horizonte - Perfectly designed rooms, rich buffet breakfast, top gastronomy, and a spa with wellness pool, sauna, and a fitness center are the main features why to stay in this hotel.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
WHAT TO PACK FOR VISITING BELO HORIZONTE
When traveling to Belo Horizonte, you can expect pleasant temperatures, but it can be a bit chilly in the morning and evening during winter between June and September.
The rainy season runs between November and March, so when you plan to travel to Belo Horizonte or overall to Minas Gerais state during this time, do not forget to dress accordingly.
Here are five essential things you must pack for your trip to Belo Horizonte.
Flannel Shirt for Him & for Her | You do not have to overpack, but it is good to wear extra layers when the sun goes down.
Rain Poncho | When visiting Belo Horizonte during wet season, do not forget to pack either rain poncho or an umbrella.
Anti-Theft Daypack | As in almost every larger city in Brazil, it is worth it to keep an eye on your valuables.
Kindle | As two out of three best things to do in Belo Horizonte are off the city limits, bring your portable library to kill time when on the bus.
Filtered Water Bottle | Tap water is not drinkable in Brazil, why not to try this awesome travel accessory?
SAFETY IN BELO HORIZONTE
Brazil was the last country on our South America itinerary, so we can say that we had seen quite many large cities with not an outstanding reputation when it comes to safety.
Often, our worries were baseless, but we have to say aloud we did not feel completely safe in Belo Horizonte.
The city suffers from a surge on drug-related crime, and we could also see many homeless or weird looking people on the streets.
We had a hostel twenty minutes walk from the bus station, and we've for sure seen better-looking neighborhoods.
That's being said, we were never harassed on the streets, but we were really cautious and always kept an eye on our belongings.
To stay safe in Belo Horizonte, do not walk around the city after dark alone, always stay on well-lit streets, do not hail a cab outside, and do not show off your valuables.
When using your common sense, you should enjoy your trip to Belo Horizonte without any problem.
We've written an in-depth post on how to stay safe in South America, so check it out if planning your travels anytime soon.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET TO BELO HORIZONTE
Like any other large city in Brazil, Belo Horizonte is well-connected, and you won't have a problem to either get to the city or find a connection to your next destination on your itinerary.
If traveling by bus, you will easily get to Belo Horizonte from all big cities around such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Salvador, but be ready to spend on a bus between eight to twenty-two hours.
It is also possible to travel by rental car , but in that case, for your safety, we recommend you to split the journey from either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro for two days.
In order to save time, you can travel to Belo Horizonte by air.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
