This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Belo Horizonte is the capital city of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It has been the capital city of the area since the late 1800s. Originally a settlement for prospectors looking for gold called Curral Del Rei in the early 1700s, it was converted into a city later. The name of the city means “beautiful horizon” because of the ring of mountains around the town and the classical skyline.
Staying in Belo Horizonte is fun and easy, due to the fact that the lifeblood of the city is tourism. There are hostels around the city in all the different neighborhoods. You can probably find a hostel near the Praca de Liberdade and other attractions in the city. The hostel owners of Belo Horizonte are friendly, and the places are well-maintained and are indeed very affordable.
While staying here, be sure to check out the Praca de Liberdade, or the Freedom Square. It is a plaza in the middle of the city that has a park in it, along with the main government building and a public library. Built in the 1940s, this area has a lot of potential for relaxing walks, and it has a view of the Neoclassical architecture of the city.
Another architectural marvel in the city is a church called Sao Francisco de Assis Rosino. Built by the famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, it can be found in Pampulha, one of the many suburbs of Belo Horizonte. Surrounded by gardens and making use of gentle curves in the design, this church is situated right next to the lake and is reflected in the still waters.
For a taste of the diversity and culture of the city, go to the Central Market. Housed in a massive building, this market has everything from food to pets. The vendors are friendly, energetic, and a wonder to see in action. It is open daily, and the items in the market are very affordable.
Written by local expertz for Belo Horizonte
Jakob Lombardi
