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Which is better: Arraial do Cabo or Belo Horizonte?

Short answer

Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Belo Horizonte is in the state of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Belo Horizonte: capital of Minas Gerais, a mountain city with a boteco (neighborhood bar) on every corner and Niemeyer's architecture on the shores of Lagoa da Pampulha. For this month's weather, Arraial do Cabo has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte costs less.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo Boat Trip★ 8.7 · 20 reviews · from US$ 56 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Belo HorizonteOuro Preto & Mariana Day Trip★ 8.9 · 197 reviews · from US$ 71 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Arraial do Cabo Belo Horizonte
Best time to visit Apr → Nov May → Aug
Weather this month 25° · 8 days of rain 29° · 8 days of rain
By car R$ 394 · from São Paulo R$ 360 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 2–3 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic Food, Family, Romantic, Adventure
Choose Arraial do Cabo if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: transparent water, white sand and the clearest (and coldest) sea on the Rio de Janeiro coast.

See guide
Choose Belo Horizonte if

you want a trip for food lovers and families: capital of Minas Gerais, a mountain city with a boteco (neighborhood bar) on every corner and Niemeyer's architecture on the shores of Lagoa da Pampulha. The gateway to the historic interior of Minas.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Arraial do Cabo or Belo Horizonte

The average nightly rate is around R$ 351 in Arraial do Cabo and R$ 391 in Belo Horizonte; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Arraial do Cabo on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Sophia 2 Residence Inn in Arraial do Cabo 9.5 ★★★★★ · 12 reviews Sophia 2 Residence Inn See on Booking → Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava in Arraial do Cabo 8.4 ★★★★ · 42 reviews Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava See on Booking →
See all hotels in Arraial do Cabo

Compare hotels and places to stay in Belo Horizonte on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Ouro Minas Hotel Belo Horizonte, Dolce by Wyndham in Belo Horizonte 8.8 ★★★★★ · 128 reviews Ouro Minas Hotel Belo Horizonte, Dolce by Wyndham See on Booking → Nobile Inn Pampulha in Belo Horizonte 8.6 ★★★ · 106 reviews Nobile Inn Pampulha See on Booking →
See all hotels in Belo Horizonte

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Arraial do Cabo or Belo Horizonte: which is better?
Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Belo Horizonte is in the state of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Belo Horizonte: capital of Minas Gerais, a mountain city with a boteco (neighborhood bar) on every corner and Niemeyer's architecture on the shores of Lagoa da Pampulha. For this month's weather, Arraial do Cabo has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte costs less.
What is the best time to visit Arraial do Cabo and Belo Horizonte?
The best time to visit Arraial do Cabo is from April to November; for Belo Horizonte, it is from May to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Arraial do Cabo is 585 km (364 mi) and costs about R$ 394 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte is 586 km (364 mi) and costs about R$ 360 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Arraial do Cabo or Belo Horizonte?
Averaged over the year, Arraial do Cabo has 7 rainy days a month and Belo Horizonte has 8. Arraial do Cabo is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Arraial do Cabo is December and in Belo Horizonte, December. For temperature, Belo Horizonte is the warmer one (average high of 27° versus 26°).
How many days should you spend in Arraial do Cabo and in Belo Horizonte?
To see the main sights without rushing, Arraial do Cabo calls for 2–3 days and Belo Horizonte, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Arraial do Cabo or Belo Horizonte with kids?
Both work with kids: Arraial do Cabo (crystal-clear water, boat trip, and diving) and Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas; boteco and food; Niemeyer architecture). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Arraial do Cabo has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Arraial do Cabo: Boat circuit of the islands, Prainha, Praia do Forno. In Belo Horizonte: Praça da Liberdade, Mercado Central, Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Pampulha). These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.