Travel advisory · BrazilSome governments advise against travel to parts of Brazil.The warnings cover only these areas: Ceilandia, Favelas, Paranoá, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, Venezuela border area.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Ceilandia · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Favelas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
- Paranoá · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Santa Maria · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- São Sebastião · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Venezuela border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
Also named by one government: 160 km strip along Brazil's land borders (US), Complexo da Maré (Canada), Complexo da Penha (Canada), 20 km strip along the Bolivian border (excluding Pantanal National Park) (Canada), 20 km strip along the Colombian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the French Guiana border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Guyanese border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Paraguayan border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Peruvian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Surinamese border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Venezuelan border (Canada), Amazonas River and tributaries, Amazonas State (between Codajás and Belém do Solimões) (UK), Border zones (unspecified) (France), Chapada Diamantina National Park (trilha do 21) (Spain), Planaltina (Italy), Samambaia (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Aug 31, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 27, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to high crime rates (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (pays à risque) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Minas Gerais
Go for the gold-mining towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, their baroque churches, and the cheese and cachaça of one of Brazil's largest states.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Minas Gerais is a state in southeastern Brazil, bordering Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with Belo Horizonte as its capital. Gold and diamonds drew settlers here in the 1700s, and many hill towns keep their colonial street plans. Ouro Preto is the best known, with steep cobbled streets and baroque churches that hold carvings by the sculptor and architect Aleijadinho. His soapstone figures stand at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas. Diamantina, further north, was a center of the diamond trade.
Choose this state if you want history, architecture and regional food more than beaches. Minas cheese, pão de queijo and feijão tropeiro are the dishes to try, and cachaça is made across the region. The drier season runs from May to September, while rains fall from December to March. Give the historic towns about a week, and add more time if you plan to hike in the Serra do Cipó national park.
Minas Gerais in five
- Fly into Confins for Belo HorizonteConfins (CNF) handles most international flights and sits about 40 km north of Belo Horizonte. Pampulha is closer to the city but mainly serves domestic flights, so check which airport your flight uses.Getting around
- Take the intercity bus to Ouro PretoBuses to Ouro Preto leave from Belo Horizonte's central bus station and take about 2 hours. Pack light, because the town sits on steep hills with uneven stone streets.Getting around
- Carry reais for small townsPix is the instant bank transfer used across Brazil, but it requires a Brazilian bank account. Carry reais in cash for buses, bakeries and small guesthouses.Money and costs
- Wear flat shoes with grip in Ouro PretoThe old streets are steep and paved with uneven stone, which is hard on smooth soles after rain. Bring flat shoes with a firm grip for the walk between churches and museums.
- Give Inhotim a full dayInhotim, the contemporary art park in Brumadinho, spreads its galleries and gardens across a large site, so a half day rushes it. Check the official site for opening days and ticket rules before you go.
Things to do in Minas Gerais
See all attractions in Minas Gerais
Need to know
- Currency
- Real (BRL)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; some nationalities need a visa, so check before flying Read more
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Tipping
- A 10% service charge is often added at restaurants; otherwise not expected
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, rainy
- FebruaryCarnival crowds
- MarchRainy, humid
- AprilDrying out
- MayMild, dry
- JuneDry, cooler
- JulyDry, holidays
- AugustDry, mild
- SeptemberDry, mild
- OctoberWarm, showers
- NovemberRain returns
- DecemberHolidays, rain
Right now in Minas Gerais
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 89%
Belo Horizonte
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°19°89%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Tue28°18°75%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Wed30°18°69%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Thu30°19°46%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Fri30°20°84%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat30°20°98%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sun30°15°89%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 89%.
Updated 03:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ouro Pretoabout 2 hours by bus from Belo HorizonteA colonial mining town with churches, museums and steep cobbled streets.
- Inhotimabout 1 hour by car from Belo HorizonteA contemporary art park with galleries set among large botanical gardens.
- Tiradentesa long day by road from Belo HorizonteA small colonial town with a historic square, best as an overnight stay.
Before you go to Minas Gerais
Plan around Minas Gerais
Intercity buses, city transport in Belo Horizonte, and when a car helps
Read the guideMoney and costsReais, cards, cash for small towns and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa for Brazil and where to check
Read the guideWhere to stayBelo Horizonte, Ouro Preto and Tiradentes compared
Read the guideAll of BrazilCities, rail, entry rules and money across the country
Read the guideMinas Gerais FAQ
Is Minas Gerais worth visiting?
Yes, for colonial towns, mountain scenery and modern art, especially if you enjoy slow trips with long walks. It is a weaker pick if you want beaches or a short city break, since the state has no coastline.
What is the best base in Minas Gerais?
Belo Horizonte works as a base for flights and the Inhotim art park, while Ouro Preto is the main base for colonial heritage. Stay in Ouro Preto for at least one night if you want the old town without day-trip rushing.
How do you get from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto?
Take an intercity bus from Belo Horizonte's central bus station, which takes about 2 hours. Taxis and private transfers are faster but cost more for one trip.
Is Ouro Preto walkable?
Yes, most sights are within walking distance of each other, but the streets are steep and paved with uneven stone. Wear flat shoes with grip and plan breaks on the hills.
When is the best time to visit Minas Gerais?
The dry months, May to September, are the most comfortable for walking. The rainy summer runs from December to March, and Carnival brings crowds to Ouro Preto and Tiradentes.
Is Tiradentes worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a small colonial town with galleries, restaurants and a historic square. Go for an overnight stay rather than a day trip, since the town is a long way from Belo Horizonte.