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Guide to Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Belo Horizonte
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Belo HorizonteLooking out over the cityscape, it strikes a bit of awe in the viewer that one is catching glimpses of a Brazilian metropolis, where only on closer inspection will there be revealed the broad range of cultures that have made this nation so heavily documented inside the world's geography and history books. The reasoning behind Belo Horizonte's invention is rather simple: the Minas Gerais needed a commercial and agricultural distribution center and Belo happened to be the lucky token to get the contracts. Of course, some may not see the city as lucky as other might. With such a prevalence of steel and concrete, there seems little room for ingenuity and uniqueness. The ubiquity of 10, 20, 30 story constructions can be justifiably "tacky," and the experience of crowdedness and general mayhem within its downtown area is no doubt the root cause of travelers' putting Belo Horizonte off for more pleasant places in Brazil, devoid of all that takes away from a leisure-oriented visit and full of the best intrinsic qualities that have shaped the country, especially over the past century. If you're a fan of urbanization, however, Belo Horizonte will most likely appear to be nothing short of an oasis, where the sun and its effects mingle with pedestrians' clamoring for sidewalk space, creating a vast jungle where business is everyone's agenda and battling the hustle and bustle is all but considered a sport in and of itself.
When to go:
For northern-hemispheric tastes, Belo Horizonte is certainly not a walk in the park. When considering weather patterns for a period best suited for travel, this city tends always to be in the red, but because of it's place on highly elevated ground, many greetings come its way in the form of rushes of cool air and consistent respite via rainfall. You'll surely need to double-check your bags and belongings for tubes of SPF inclusive concoctions, but you'll have it quite easy in Belo Horizonte compared to Brazilian cities whose homes are on low-lying plains.
Getting there and around:
Because of the uneven surface surrounding the city, the flight terminal serving Belo Horizonte, Tancredo Neves International Airport, is situated rather far from downtown, the center of all notable hotels. At 45km, no short jaunt will be in the cards, therefore despite premium paid, taxis are a recommended solution for airport-to-city travel. Taking to the walkways of Belo Horizonte is clearly the best choice for inner-city transit, but if the sunlight seems extra strong or your destination is further than the limits of downtown, buses are good for longer journeys. Taxis are desirable, especially among novices here, but cabbies tend to overshoot fares for unknowledgeable tourists, while public transit fares are basically etched in stone.
Attractions:
Everything from steel to textiles to automobiles are manufactured right in the confines of this 850-meter-block-above-seawater, all of which make for an interesting time for those curious about industrial complexes. (You know who you are.) Minerals are a large commodity for the region as well, and if you're lucky you may be directed by a few locals to the sites where gold and precious gems are processed. The annals of academia always grab the attentions of a number of travelers, and for those who consider books to be little slices of heaven the city is home to three universities, most of which are comprised of modern edifices where only tours will bring you to the bounties of knowledge within. Belo Horizonte's Historical Museum is a great place to see what made of this land before the high-rises sprouted from the economic boom. Most signs and displays within the establishment do have English translations, so guides won't be necessary for all who enter. Even so, some may connected more dots among the exhibits by way of some help, either arranged for or simply with fellow visitors.
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