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Travelers rightfully question if the long-haul flight to Brazil is worth it, especially with the country’s new invasive entry requirements for U.S. passport holders.
In other words, save your paycheck!
As Rio has held a sketchy reputation in recent years with notable upticks in crime, it’s become clear the iconic beach destination is no longer the same must-visit getaway one might expect.
As gargantuan as Brazil is, there’s gotta be some overlooked gems, right? Airbnb just revealed where travelers are making plans this summer, and it’s not Rio or even Sao Paulo highlighting itineraries this summer.
Nope — it’s the lesser-known urban sprawl of Belo Horizonte; a safe, welcoming, foodie lover’s dream that was coincidentally one of my favorite trips the past few years, if not solely because of my new weekend vice, the puckery-mouthed sweetness of caipirinhas.
But, Belo Horizonte isn’t just a haven for cheap eats and cocktails too good to be true; it’s a vibrant urban playground with a buzzing maze of markets, affordable luxury, world-class nightlife, and a gateway to a timeless UNESCO-protected town worthy of a day trip at the very least.
Fly Direct To Belo Horizonte
Every traveler has to ask themselves if a trip is worth taking, whether it be due to costs or the amount of hours sitting idle in one space with the risk of crying children, bad movie selections, and the off-chance you get the middle seat.
I can attest that Belo Horizonte is very well worth the long journey, and I didn’t even take one of the pair of nonstop flights from U.S. soil.
As you might imagine, there are numerous nonstop flights to Rio and Sao Paulo, but Belo Horizonte doesn’t hold the same household recognition.
There are 2 direct flights from Florida, one being from Orlando (MCO) and the other being Miami (MIA).
Americans can fly with Sao Paulo-based Azul Brazilian Airlines from MCO 5 days per week, and the same goes from MIA 3 days per week re-upping in July.
Beyond Acaí: Feast On The World’s Most Underrated Cuisine
Chances are you’ve had an acaí bowl by now. This Brazilian treat would be like comparing a ground beef taco with shredded cheese to Mexico’s best.
Brazilian cuisine is full of depth and flavor, often deriving from ingredients you’ve never heard of. This is likely because their food is too challenging to replicate in the U.S., as it would lose its freshness if imported.
In case you missed it years ago, famed chef and world explorer Anthony Bourdain traversed Minas Gerais on an episode of Parts Unknown, the state that holds Belo Horizonte, and is heralded as Brazil’s food capital — and not that my word should top Tony’s, but it definitely lived up to the hype.
Not one meal was disappointing, whether it was cheap skewers of mystery street meat, a few “splurges” on fine dining, or perhaps Brazil’s most notable sinfully delicious snack, Pan de Queijo.
Anthony Bourdain said, “Greens, chickens, pigs, fruit, everything is at hand — the food of the yard. And eventually, it all ends up here at the wood stove, the center of the Miniera kitchen.”
I’d say that about sums it up. People of Minas Gerais are masters of making use of every tidbit of edible morsel and this was no more evident than my visit (and Tony’s) to Nonô, one of the few establishments open all night, welcoming all walks of life and serving up “peasant food” consisting of cheap meat cuts and slow-cooked stews for dirt-cheap prices.
But my real love from my Belo Horizonte trip was my discovery of caipirinhas, a dangerously delicious cocktail made of Cachaça, lime, and sugar that will have you hitting up Fogo de Chão’s happy hour when you get back home.
Enjoy Modern City Luxury And A Timeless Town Nearby
The lookout from Parque de Serra do Curral seems like the vibrant cityscape never ends. All you see is a sea of towering high-rises, but this is to your benefit as many of what you are see are cheap Airbnbs and luxury hotels.
Take the 4-star Royal Center Hotel Lourdes, for example. It’s only $51 per night this summer.
While you might be thinking Brazil is super hot in summer, think again. Belo Horizonte feels like spring with consistent 70-degree days across the summer months, which is all the more reason to explore, even though I could personally spend hours wandering the indoor Mercado Central, one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The centuries-old former gold-mining town of Ouro Preto is the perfect excuse to enjoy the nice weather by grabbing a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe or simply enjoying a nice stroll through the cobbled streets lined with sightly baroque buildings.
Ouro Preto is an hour away by bus and arguably Minas Gerais’ most postcard-worthy destination, even as culturally rich as Belo Horizonte is.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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