Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais holidays
Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais holidays at a glance
Minas Gerais is a historically important region whose rolling hills are dotted with colonial towns, founded during Brazil’s gold, diamond and iron rushes. Today these settlements preserve some of the country’s finest colonial architecture and baroque art.
The best known is Ouro Preto, a lively university town and arts centre with 23 baroque churches crowning the surrounding hills. Diamantina and Mariana are less developed but equally lovely, and Tiradentes is known for its horse-drawn carriages and little steam train.
Minas Gerais embraces 21st century Brazil with equal enthusiasm. Belo Horizonte, the state capital, is a regional powerhouse with a thriving cultural scene, while nearby Inhotim is a vast open-air contemporary art museum and botanical park unlike anywhere else in the country.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Visit the birthplace of Brazilian independence, the state of Minas Gerais, whose open, rolling hills are dotted with delightful colonial towns.
When to visit Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais
Thanks to its elevation of around 1,000m above sea level, Minas Gerais enjoys a more temperate climate than much of coastal Brazil.
This is not the ideal time to visit hilly Minas Gerais, as there is frequent, heavy rainfall and the air is often uncomfortably humid. However, with carnival round the corner there will be excitement in the air and preparations in full swing.
There is far less rain during this period, with temperatures suited to strolling through cobbled streets of the historic towns where you’ll find a variety of local celebrations.
The weather remains pleasant and dry at this time, and during three weeks in July the Federal University in the town of Ouro Preto hosts an arts festival which is well worth visiting.
Temperatures range from mid to high 20°Cs, and rainfall and humidity increase steadily throughout these months.
Top Things to do in Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais rewards visitors with historic towns, architecture, art, culture and beautiful countryside.
Discover the former mining towns of colonial Brazil in Minas Gerais – gorgeous baroque churches, cobbled streets and semi-precious stones.
Accommodation in Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais
Many properties here occupy restored colonial buildings, placing you within the region’s historic atmosphere. Pousada do Mondego sits in the heart of Ouro Preto’s colonial centre; Comuna do Ibitipoca offers a more rural base further afield.
Stay at a luxury Portuguese-style farmhouse on a natural reserve in the wildlife-rich mountains of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.
Choose Pousada do Mondego, a romantic Portuguese-style property in the centre of colonial masterpiece Ouro Preto.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais
Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
At 1,000m above sea level Ouro Prêto has a more temperate climate than the coast, with temperatures ranging from 2-28°C and cold winters. Most rain falls in Dec- Jan. Avoid visiting the Minas towns on Mondays when many attractions are closed.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue.
- How do I get local currency in Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
Brazilian Real.
Notes can be withdrawn from the ATMs of Bradesco and Banco do Brasils in Ouro Prêto using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. ATMs close at 10pm.
- What's the time difference between Ouro Preto and UK?
GMT -3 hours. There is daylight saving from Oct to the end of Feb (approx) when clocks are put forward one hour.
- What places combine well with Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
Salvador, the most atmospheric colonial and African city,( 2 hours by road to Belo Horizonte then 1 hour 50mins by air); Paraty (530 km) to discover another beautiful colonial town, on a bay on the Costa Verde west of Rio; Olinda, colonial gem near Recife on the northeast coast (fly from Belo Horizonte to Recife, 2.5 hours); Brasilia, the once futuristic planned capital of Brazil, (1.5 hours by air).
- How do I get to Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
Fly from Rio de Janeiro to Belo Horizonte (1 hour) and continue by road (2hrs) to Ouro Prêto; it’s a 12 hour drive direct from Rio.
- What are the festivals and cultural events in Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais?
Carnival: 5 days in Feb/Mar, variable: 28 Feb – 4 Mar 2014.
Easter and Holy Week: Religious parades and traditional celebrations in Ouro Prêto and other Mineira towns.
Winter Festival of the Federal University of Minas Gerais: Ouro Prêto, Jul. Three weeks of shows, concerts, arts, exhibitions.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.