Minas Gerais Travel Guide
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
Though it's far from the circuit of Brazil's most visited places, the state of Minas Gerais holds unforgettable historical, architectural, and ecological riches. Minas has more UNESCO World Heritage sites that any other state in Brazil. This mountainous state's name, which means "general mines," was inspired by the area's great mineral wealth. Prior to the 18th century the region was unexplored due to its difficult terrain, but in the late 17th century bandeirantes, or adventurers, forged into the interior, eventually discovering vast precious-metal reserves. As a result, the state, and particularly the city of Ouro Preto, became the de facto capital of the Portuguese colony. That period of gold, diamond, and semiprecious-stone trading is memorialized in the historic towns scattered across the jagged blue mountain ridges and remains a tremendous source of pride for mineiros (inhabitants of the state).
Minas Gerais Hotels
In the interior of Minas Gerais, especially in the historic cities and state parks, there are two types of traditional accommodations for tourists: pousadas...read more
Minas Gerais Restaurants
Probably the most popular cuisine in the country, Mineiran food is a mixure of Portuguese, Indian, and African flavors. Famous foods include lombo de porco...read more
Things To Do in Minas Gerais
Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.
Travel Deals in Minas Gerais
- $910+: Fly Round-Trip to Rio this Season Fare Buzz
- Brazil Active: Amazon, Cerrado & Pantanal IExplore
- $4830+: 17-Nt Luxe South America Cruise w/Air & More, Save 50% Oceania Cruises
- Alluring South America IExplore
Minas Gerais Experiences
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Walking on the paralelepípedos (cobblestones) in Ouro Preto, Diamantina, and Tiradentes, all magnificently preserved baroque towns of white... Read more
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Exploration of Minas began in the 17th century, when bandeirantes (bands of adventurers) from the coastal areas came in search of slaves and... Read more
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Some gastronomic critics say there are only three native Brazilian cuisines: the cuisine from the North (particularly from Pará); the... Read more
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Gems vary widely in quality and value; don't buy them on the streets, and be wary about buying them from smaller shops. Do your research. Know... Read more
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When gold was discovered in Minas Gerais in the 17th century, the Portuguese, to ensure their control of the mining industry, exiled the traditional... Read more
Travel Blog
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Practical Travel Tips
Known for the curative properties of their natural springs, a collection of mineral-spa towns in southe... Read more
·Weather
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73° F Clear 53% Humidity May 30, 2012 at 10:00AMCheck historic weather for your trip dates
Arriving:· Forums Trip Reports
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February 7, 2012 (Tuesday): Departure from Washington, DC
Although my spouse and I normally fly from New York’s JFK for non-stop international flights, we chose to fly from Dulles (IAD) in Washington, Read more -
We traveled through the South Coast of Brazil in Dec 2008 (sorry for the delayed report!) Just realizing how much valuable information I've obtained from this site, that I just felt compelled to give back!). Read more
·Brazil Forum
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Questions regarding staying on the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls. Read more
