Are you looking for a destination that is small, comfortable, beautiful and connected to nature? Conheça Santo Hilário, or paradise bathed in Lake Furnas!
Conheça Santo Hilário, or paradise bathed in Lake Furnas
Located in the central-western region of Minas Gerais, Santo Hilário is what can be called a hidden paradise. Despite being located in a region of intense tourist activity, not called “Mar de Minas”, or district can still be considered little known for mass tourism.
And it is worth valuing! With beautiful landscapes, friendly people and hospitals, typical Minera food and delicious cachoeiras, Santo Hilário is everything you want to rest, connect with nature and eat well.
As can be seen in the image, the district is surrounded by Lake Furnas, the main attraction of the region. The lake also covers more than 33 cities and various districts, besides Pimenta, where Santo Hilário is located.
On the day this article was published, in July 2023, Vilarejo has just over 100 inhabitants, contributing to the feeling of comfort that its three main streets trace. Church on the street, feirinha on Saturday and many smiles are distributed in the place.
And different from the nearby city and main tourist destination of the region, Capitólio, Santo Hilário is a destination very connected to the localities and the most meaningful and profound experiences. For beyond beautiful photos on social networks and show off on boats, it is a place to connect with yourself, with nature and with people close to you.
O que você vai nesse nese article
Next, we will tell you Everything you need to know to check out Santo Hilário, accommodation options, what and where to eat, the main attractions and other destinations in the region. Since we don’t have winter, we don’t have as much movement as we do in the high season, but we have to prepare a delicious gastronomy, walking boas and ate a cachoeira.
And you are willing to set up a totally personalized trip with unique places in Brazil and in the world, pre-enchase the briefing and receive a FREE analysis from consultant Rogério Milani.
How to check in Santo Hilário, Pimenta district, Minas Gerais
To check out Santo Hilário, The airport and the largest city closest to Belo Horizonte. You can leave through Igarapé, go through Oliveira, Campo Belo, Ilicínea and Guapé. Despite this, Rodovia 050 is the most indicated and the shortest suit. We talk more about it below.
Also, to see São Paulo, a nearby airport is in the city of Ribeirão Preto, close to other exciting destinations. So that we have more time, this is the best request!
Saindo of Belo Horizonte
Starting from Belo Horizonte, we will pass through Itaúna, Divinópolis, Formiga and Pimenta. A wonderful landscape, a green, quiet road and three pebbles. The value of the unit is R$7.90 each (value as of July 2023) and does not contain any oil. For this reason, there is no scheme to raise money in money!
For those who go by bus, the only thing you need to do is leave the bus on the Expresso Gardênia, and the passage costs a little more than R$100. Caronas also have many commons, groups in social networks and applications intended for isso bem moved and the prices vary between R$60 and R$100, between Belo Horizonte and Pimenta.
Important: the bus does not go to Santo Hilário, and does not enter Pimenta. You should look for a bus that stops at the ENTRANCE of Pimenta or in the city of Piumhi, and then go to Santo Hilário, car or taxi.
What I really recommend is starting from BH with a light car and wandering along the road, stopping when you feel ready and eating a piece of cheese at the Café dos Motoristas stop, traditional in the region. It is located in the municipality of São Sebastião do Oeste, between Divinópolis and Formiga.
The coffee is delicious and the food is also delicious, the residents recommend the pão de sal (or French) with requeijão and linguiça. I can trust!
Another stop is Milhão, between Itaúna and Divinópolis. The item you can imagine is delicious: pamonha, mingau, suco… BEM mineiro – and delicious!
Saindo de Ribeirão Preto
If you are coming from São Paulo, Leaving Ribeirão Preto and passing through São Sebastião do Paraíso, Passos e Capitólio is a great request! Here, more than ever it is worth stopping to observe the landscapes.
Also, having time and availability available, it is a perfect opportunity to extend the fairs and take other tours. Not here Viajando Bem we assemble completely personalized travel routes, following your interests and needs. Below you will also find other destination information in the region.
Saindo do Rio de Janeiro
To see the Rio, the indication is to pass through Itatiaia, taking advantage of a tourist stop, and go up to Caxambu, Varginha and Boa Esperança. I confess that I do not know this route, and my preference would be to go by plane or bus to a nearest center. Porém, as well as in other cities, it is also worth the alugado car and a national road conhecendo more of the natural beauties of the Southeast region.
If you want to take advantage of Serra, it also allows you to pass through Petrópolis, Juiz de Fora, Barbacena and São João del Rei, visiting the region. To opt for this route, I recommend stopping in São João del Rei and taking advantage of two or three days there, taking a pass in Tiradentes. Here in the blog we have a complete article with a historical overview of Minas Gerais with specific cities.
Where to stay in Santo Hilário: the best and only accommodations
Because it is an extremely small village, Santo Hilário is abundant in food and hospitality. As accommodations are limited, the more you like the hosts, they are all very caring and loved. To look for more options, it is worth looking for accommodation or accommodation in larger places in the region, such as the city of Pimenta.
Pousada Santo Hilário
More ancient and traditional in the region, the Pousada Santo Hilário is located at the entrance of the city, and is easy to find and move to any other place, cachoeiras and other attractions. It has a swimming pool, a beautiful view of the Lake and the Serra, as well as a typically Minas Gerais reception: bedspreads and boa food cheia.
Chalés Santo Hilário
The Santo Hilário Chalés are a great option for larger groups (up to 8 people) who want to stay with more privacy, outside of a hotel, but also interact with other tourists. The chalets have a barbecue, equipped kitchen, beds, sofa beds and a wonderful view of Lake Furnas.
Casa do Barto
Casa do Bartô is a lodging and gastronomic refuge in Santo Hilário. In addition to comfortable rooms and complete amenities, it is also owned by chef João Bruno Campos, who offers a complete end-of-week gastronomic experience.
Good food, a privileged view and the possibility of swimming on Lake Furnas watching a magnificent sunbath! In short, we will have a complete blog article about the experience in this place.
Where to eat in Santo Hilário
Because it is a place with intense tourist movement only in high season (not summer, holidays and holidays), the district does not have many lodging and food options on weekdays. The restaurants usually operate from fifth to Sunday.
Despite this, if you have a longer time, it is worth spending the weekend in Santo Hilário and taking advantage of the remaining time to get to know the region. To discover other destinations in Minas Gerais, access the other blog articles.
Casa do Barto
As I said before, Casa do Bartô is a gastronomic refuge and also functions as a restaurant on weekends. Serve portions of fish, snacks such as parmegiana, drinks, beers and other delicacies. Chef João Bruno and Karina’s kitchen are destroying the kitchen!
Cantinho Mineiro
The Cantinho Mineiro was the first restaurant in Vilarejo and is also the main restaurant when it comes to self-service food or fresh food. A tasty meal, typically from Minas Gerais, like bem diz or nome, and with affordable prices. Despite this, as the rest of the businesses do not place, the restaurant also only operates from fifth to Sunday.
Recanto do Lageado
The Recanto do Lageado restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy the nature, but also the city, but without escape from the porções and that gelada beer. Managed by an extremely supportive family, who started the restaurant next to the Cachoeira do Lageado when the place was just a depot for tourist food, it is a true haven of peace and joy. Great for families traveling with children.
Main attractions in Santo Hilário: natural and historical beauties
Minha favorite part of Santo Hilário forams cachoeiras and walks in nature, with wonderful views!
As Cachoeiras das Andorinhas 1 and 2 and Cachoeira do Chapadão are located on the same premises, and the owner of the property charges a value of R$10 to access the trilhas that are attached to them. Although there is no large preservation structure to collect this value, the trip is worth it. The toys are nice and the trilhas of easy and intermediate level, only Chapadão may not be suitable for people with a little more difficulty with that type of adventure.
The Cachoeira do Lageado is also an optimal and most accessible walking option, located next to the Recanto do Lageado restaurant. In high season, two tourists are charged R$5 for access. During the low season you can enter for free.
In addition to the cachoeiras and natural beauties, two attractions are sought for visitors on the view of the bridge that connects Santo Hilário to Guapé and the rubble of an old abandoned hotel. The places return to history and remember a time when Vilarejo was older and with other activities, before the construction of the Furnas dam.
Now that you are walking on the lake, you have the option of a ride and hire a barge or boat to clear the waters of the Mar de Minas. Prices vary between R$60 and R$80 per person.
Travel from Santo Hilário: trips and other destinations
Capitol
Capitólio is the favorite destination for tourists when visiting Furnas. Despite there being more movement and some predatory tourism, the place does not lose its beauty. It is worth spending one or more days exploring its stunning landscapes, secret treasures and famous canons.
Now is the time to go during the low season (for summer and holidays) and be prepared to socialize.
Check accommodation options in Capitólio here.
Serra da Canastra
Serra da Canastra opens several cities, including Capitólio and Piumhi, close to Santo Hilário. Despite this, several other destinations in the Serra can be entered on its own and even more culturally enriched by your trip through the lands of Minas Gerais. Some days in São São Roque de Minas, Sacramento and São João Batista do Glória.
Águas Circuit
The Minas Gerais Water Circuit covers 14 municipalities and has as its main attraction the great houses, small villages, unique cuisine and historical wealth of the region. Among the main destinations, we can mention Três Corações, São Lourenço and São Sebastião do Rio Verde.
Communication and internet
It is important to highlight that, because it is very small, many telephone networks are not local. Currently, only Vivo can provide a data network and access 4G internet in Vilarejo.
And there, gostou of Santo Hilário?
If you know There are some other suggestions for secret destinations in Minas Gerais and in the rest of Brazil, don’t stop telling us your comments! Also, confirm the articles on the blog about travel in Minas Gerais:
