Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais

 

Belo Horizonte with its 2,4 million inhabitants is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, the fourth greatest and second most important Brazil's state, known as "State of the national integration". It was chosen as the metropolis with the best quality of life in Latin America in 1991 by the Population Crisis Committee, an organ of the UN. It was also ranked 45th among the top 100 in the world, and awarded between "Model City on Environmental Field".

The city is strategically located in the southeast region and has a privileged position in relations to the country. It's surrounded by the slopes of Serra do Curral, a mountain range marking the horizon which is a geographical and historical landmark.

The city offers easy access via highways and airports, and stands out for its architecture, strong vocation for trade and service rendering as well as intense cultural-artistic production.

Being 103 years old (1897), Belo Horizonte is a mix of tradition and modernity. Chosen to be the new capital of Minas Gerais in replacement of Ouro Preto, it was the first planned city in Brazil. The capital and its metropolitan region (4,1 million inhabitants)  is dynamic and has attracted a growing number of investments. Well-known as medical excellence, biotechnology and computer center, many important national and international events are held in the city.

The visitors to the city must see the Praça da Liberdade, Praça da Assembléia and Pampulha architectural and landscaping complexes, the Mineirão  football stadium,  the Mangabeiras Park, the Mercado Central and the Municipal Park, the museums and churches of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes and Boa Viagem, the shopping centers, restaurants and bars that make the city's nightlife the most unique experience. The handicraft fair at the downtown, every sundays from 7:00 until 13:00, is a must!

Belo Horizonte Nightlife

Belo Horizonte celebrates its fame as the national capital of bars. From the fashionable eateries to urban warehouses, to bars of different styles and persuasions, there's always something new guaranteeing pleasant surprises and the promise of diversion for anybody who wants to enjoy the nightlife of BH, city with a bohemian tradition. Choose and enjoy, the night in Belo Horizonte never stops.

Departing from Belo Horizonte you can also tour through the wealth and opulence of Minas Gerais State, for example the historical towns (Ouro Preto, São João Del-Rey, Diamantina, Tiradentes and Congonhas), Nature Parks (Cipó, Canastra, Ibitipoca,etc), Grottoes, mountains, ecological farms and the thermic and hydromineral spas.

50 km next to Belo Horizonte you find the beautiful Serra da Piedade (1'746 m height), where the temperature declines till zero degree celsius at the winter time. You can go till to the top of this mountain by car.

Some important cities of Minas Gerais are also:

Juiz de Fora, Uberlândia and Contagem with approx. 500'000 inhabitants.

  Uberaba, Montes Claros, Varginha, Itajubá, Poços de Caldas and Ipatinga, all among 100'000 and 250'000 inhabitants.

For further informations about Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais: BELOTUR. 

Summer temperature in BH: 17 -   30/33°C     Winter temperature: 8/12 -  23/27°C.