Belo Horizonte travel guide
Belo Horizonte Tourism | Belo Horizonte Guide
You're Going to Love Belo Horizonte
The capital of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte has wide, tree-lined avenues, lots of green space, and good museums and galleries. Belo Horizonte is also reputed to have more bars per person than any other city in the world.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Belo Horizonte
1. Bar Hop!
There are too many good bars to mention but if you go to Savassi you will find some of the best.
2. A Trip through the Past
The Museu de Ciências Naturais and Museu Histórico Abílio Barreto have good exhibits on the natural environment and history of the city.
3. The Parks
The city has some lovely green spaces, and the Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti has boating ponds and an amusement park.
4. Alta Vila Tower
The views from the Alta Vila Tower are stunning and you can dine at the Hard Rock Cafe while enjoying the vistas.
5. Music to Your Ears
Belo Horizonte has some great nightclubs, with some of the best around Avenida Raja Gabáglia. You can enjoy everything from live shows to the latest electronic tracks or Brazilian music.
Where to Eat in Belo Horizonte
Dona Lucinha II on Rua Sergipe serves good local food in buffet style from R$59. Porcao BH on Avenida Raja Gabáglia is a good steakhouse, with mains from R$70.
When to visit Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte has a tropical savanna climate. Temperatures are fairly stable around 80 degrees, and the city can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
How to Get to Belo Horizonte
Plane
The city's major airport is Aeroporto Internacional Tancredo Neves (CNF), which has direct flights to many international destinations in Europe and North America. It is around 30 miles from the city center; a taxi will cost R$100 and a bus R$9.50.
Train
A single train line connects the city to neighboring Contagem. Tickets cost R$1.60
Car
The city is at the center of the country's largest state road network. The BR-040 runs to Rio de Janiero and Brasilia, while the BR-381 takes you to Sao Paulo.
Bus
The city is the hub of a major bus network centered at the Terminal Rodoviária de Belo Horizonte. There are services to cities such as Rio de Janiero, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo.
Airports near Belo Horizonte
Airlines serving Belo Horizonte
Where to stay in Belo Horizonte
Rock! and Hostel on Rua Cristina has comfortable rooms, while the Normandy Hotel on Rua dos Tamôios offers a little more luxury right in the center of town.
Popular neighbourhoods in Belo Horizonte
Pampulha - this area has some of the city's finest 1940s architecture and is home to Lake Pampulha. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Savassi - Savassi is famous for its bars and clubs and also has a number of good restaurants.
Nova Lima - Nova Lima was once a separate city, but it is now a busy business district of Belo Horizonte with some good hotels and restaurants.
Where to stay in popular areas of Belo Horizonte
Most booked hotels in Belo Horizonte
How to Get Around Belo Horizonte
Public Transportation
The bus network in the city is extensive but can be busy and slow during rush hours. A single fare is R$2.65.
Taxi
Belo Horizonte has a large and reliable taxi fleet. The starting fare is R$3.90 and then around R$4 per mile.
Car
Roads in Belo Horizonte are in good repair but traffic can be heavy. Car rental is available from companies like Avis and Lokamig - Rent a Car for around R$50 per day.
The Cost of Living in Belo Horizonte
Shopping Streets
BH Shopping in Belvedere is one of the city's largest malls, selling fashion, homewares, and food. The Diamond Mall focuses on more upscale fashion and jewelry.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Belo Horizonte costs R$3.11 and a dozen eggs is priced at R$5.78.