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Which is better: Belo Horizonte or Mariana?

Short answer

Belo Horizonte is in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), while Mariana is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. 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; Mariana: the first capital of Minas. The weather is similar in both this month. The two are about 112 km (70 mi) apart, 2h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Belo HorizonteOuro Preto & Mariana Day Trip★ 8.9 · 197 reviews · from US$ 71 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Belo Horizonte Mariana
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 29° · 8 days of rain 29° · 8 days of rain
By car R$ 360 · from São Paulo R$ 70 · from Belo Horizonte
Ideal stay 3–4 days 2–3 days
Best for Food, Family, Romantic, Adventure Romantic, Family, Food
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
Choose Mariana if

you want a trip for couples and families: gilded Baroque carving, cobbled hills and the German organ of 1701 that still plays in the Sé Cathedral.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Belo Horizonte or Mariana

What usually tips the balance for your wallet is the rate on your travel dates. Check current prices for each city before deciding.

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

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

See all hotels in Mariana

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

Frequently asked questions

Belo Horizonte or Mariana: which is better?
Belo Horizonte is in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), while Mariana is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. 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; Mariana: the first capital of Minas. The weather is similar in both this month. The two are about 112 km (70 mi) apart, 2h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Belo Horizonte and Mariana?
The best time to visit Belo Horizonte is from May to August; for Mariana, 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, Belo Horizonte is 586 km (364 mi) and costs about R$ 360 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Belo Horizonte, Mariana is 112 km (70 mi) and costs about R$ 70 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, Belo Horizonte or Mariana?
Averaged over the year, Belo Horizonte has 8 rainy days a month and Mariana has 8. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Belo Horizonte is December and in Mariana, December. For temperature, both have the same average high, 27°.
How many days should you spend in Belo Horizonte and in Mariana?
To see the main sights without rushing, Belo Horizonte calls for 3–4 days and Mariana, 2–3 days. Since the two are 112 km (70 mi) from each other, anyone with 5 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Belo Horizonte or Mariana with kids?
Both work with kids: Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas; boteco and food; Niemeyer architecture) and Mariana (Minas Baroque, first capital of Minas, and historic center). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
Can you visit Belo Horizonte and Mariana on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 112 km (70 mi) apart, 2h00 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Belo Horizonte: Praça da Liberdade, Mercado Central, Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Pampulha). In Mariana: Praça Minas Gerais, Sé Cathedral Basilica, Church of São Francisco de Assis. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.