How to get to Catas Altas, MG

Catas Altas is a small historic town at the foot of the Serra do Caraça mountains, in Minas Gerais, combining natural beauty with colonial architecture. From almost anywhere in the historic center you can see the imposing Serra do Caraça, and the baroque ensemble formed by the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the old houses on Praça Monsenhor Mendes gives the town great cultural and scenic value. Located about 120 km from Belo Horizonte, the state capital, Catas Altas offers a peaceful mountain atmosphere, with waterfalls, jabuticaba vineyards and landscapes that look like framed paintings. There are many ways to get there – by car, bus, plane (connecting through Belo Horizonte), taxi and even train – depending on where you are coming from and how you like to travel. Below we detail the main options for travelers leaving Belo Horizonte, São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro for this charming destination.

From Belo Horizonte (MG)

Visitors from outside Minas Gerais will most likely pass through Belo Horizonte before heading to Catas Altas. The town is about 120–130 km from BH (around 1h30 to 2 hours by car), and there are several transport options:

By car: From Belo Horizonte, take the BR-381 towards Vitória-ES to the junction with the MG-436 for Barão de Cocais/Santa Bárbara, and then take the MG-129 to Catas Altas. The route is fairly short and paved, and you will know you are getting close when you see the imposing rock wall of the Serra do Caraça at the end of the valley. Driving gives you the flexibility to stop and enjoy the scenery, and a vehicle to get around the region. Tip: there is an alternative route via Ouro Preto and Mariana – although about 50 km longer, it avoids the heavy traffic and curves of the BR-381, making it a calmer, more scenic option if you are not in a hurry. Several car rental companies operate at the airports and in downtown BH if you prefer to rent a car when you arrive in the capital.
By bus: Regular buses leave the Belo Horizonte Bus Station for the Catas Altas region. Viação Pássaro Verde runs lines to Barão de Cocais (a neighboring town about 25 km from Catas Altas). The direct bus takes about 3 hours, with several departures on weekdays (fewer on weekends and holidays). In Barão de Cocais you need to take another local bus (sometimes also Pássaro Verde) to Catas Altas – check at the Barão de Cocais bus station for the times of the bus that goes into Catas Altas, as not every route passes through the town. If you land at Confins International Airport (or Pampulha Airport) in Belo Horizonte and want to continue by bus, an executive bus service links the airports to the bus station in about 30 minutes, making the connection easier.
By taxi: If you prefer convenience or are in a group, hiring a taxi from Belo Horizonte to Catas Altas is a practical option – although considerably more expensive. The trip takes about 2 hours on average, similar to driving a rental car. The advantage is that you can rest, enjoy the view or even work on the way without worrying about driving. Some executive taxis in BH even offer on-board Wi-Fi, so you can check e-mail or join video calls along the way. This option can be interesting if you are traveling for work on a tight schedule, or simply want extra comfort.
By train: A picturesque alternative is the Vitória–Minas passenger train, operated by the mining company Vale. A train leaves Belo Horizonte Central Station for Vitória-ES, stopping at Barão de Cocais as its first stop. The trip from BH to Dois Irmãos station (Barão de Cocais) takes about 1h30. Train tickets can be bought in advance on Vale's website or at the station. Traveling by train lets you calmly enjoy the beautiful scenery of inland Minas Gerais, making the journey part of the outing. In Barão de Cocais, however, you will still be about 30 km from Catas Altas. From there you can take a regular bus to the town of Santa Bárbara and then another to Catas Altas (both run by Pássaro Verde). Since bus times may not match the train's arrival perfectly, many travelers take a taxi straight from Barão de Cocais to Catas Altas – the final stretch by road takes about 40 minutes. Despite this extra step, the train is a different and relaxing experience, ideal if you like admiring the landscape and reliving the days of the Minas Gerais railways.

From São Paulo (SP)

From the city of São Paulo, the best strategy for reaching Catas Altas is to get to Belo Horizonte first, by air or by road, and then continue using the options above. The main options are:

By plane: The fastest way from São Paulo to Catas Altas is to fly to Belo Horizonte (Confins or Pampulha airport) and cover the last 120 km by road. There are frequent direct flights from São Paulo (Guarulhos or Congonhas airport) to BH, taking about 1h15. When you land in BH, you can rent a car or take a bus/taxi to complete the trip to Catas Altas as described above. This option is ideal if you are short on time, since the flight drastically reduces the total travel time. Tip: Confins airport is about 40 km from downtown BH, so factor in this transfer (by executive bus, taxi or rental car) when planning your time.
By car: If you prefer to travel overland, you can drive from São Paulo to Catas Altas. It is about 660–700 km, covered in around 8 to 9 hours, depending on the exact route and stops. The most common route is to drive up the Fernão Dias Highway (BR-381) to Belo Horizonte and, before entering the city, take the ring road to join the BR-381 towards Vitória, then follow the route via Barão de Cocais and the MG-129 explained in the previous section. In other words, it is practically a straight run from São Paulo to BH and then another 120 km to Catas Altas. An alternative route, especially if you are leaving from the north or east of São Paulo, is to take the BR-116 (Via Dutra) to near Juiz de Fora and then the BR-040 to Ouro Branco/Ouro Preto, connecting to the MG-129 for Catas Altas – although this option is usually longer. Either way it is a long trip, so plan rest stops. Check road conditions and tolls; the Fernão Dias, for example, usually has heavy truck traffic but a good road surface. Arriving in Catas Altas by car gives you the convenience of exploring the surroundings (such as the Caraça Sanctuary and Mariana) at your own pace.
By bus: Another budget option is to take a bus from São Paulo to Belo Horizonte and from there a bus to Catas Altas. Companies such as Cometa, Gontijo or UTIL run daily routes between São Paulo (Tietê Terminal) and BH, a trip of about 8 to 9 hours by night or day (approximately 580 km between the two capitals). At the Belo Horizonte bus station, just connect to the bus to Barão de Cocais/Catas Altas as described above. There is no direct bus from São Paulo to Catas Altas, so this change in BH is necessary. The advantage of the bus is its lower cost compared with flying or driving, and the possibility of traveling overnight in a sleeper or semi-sleeper seat, saving a night's accommodation. However, keep in mind the total time and lower comfort. If you choose this option, buy your tickets in advance (especially before holidays) and consider spending at least one night in Belo Horizonte to rest before continuing.

From Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

From Rio de Janeiro, Catas Altas lies to the east/northeast. As from São Paulo, it is worth using Belo Horizonte as a base for the trip, although there are direct overland routes along the Estrada Real. The options are:

By plane: From Rio, flying to Belo Horizonte is the fastest way to get close to Catas Altas. There are frequent flights from both Santos Dumont and Galeão (RIO) airports to Confins (CNF) in BH, with a flight time of about 1 hour – in fact, the shortest domestic air route to Belo Horizonte. When you arrive, simply continue by car, bus or taxi for another ~130 km to Catas Altas, as explained above. In just a few hours you can leave Rio and be on the road to the mountains of Minas Gerais. This option is ideal for short trips or weekends, making the most of your time.
By car: The drive from Rio de Janeiro to Catas Altas is about 440–450 km, taking around 6 hours in normal traffic. The most common route is the BR-040 from Rio (towards Belo Horizonte) to the Congonhas/Ouro Branco area in Minas Gerais. From there, instead of continuing to BH, many travelers take the MG-443/MG-129 through Ouro Branco, Ouro Preto and Mariana, reaching Catas Altas from the west. This route includes stretches of the Estrada Real circuit, with stunning mountain scenery, and avoids going into the state capital unnecessarily. Alternatively, you can follow the BR-040 to Belo Horizonte and then take the BR-381/MG-436 to Catas Altas, but this adds extra kilometers. Before setting off, check road conditions: the BR-040 is usually busy but mostly a dual carriageway, while the state roads via Ouro Preto have winding sections and some single-lane stretches. Plan stops in towns along the way (such as Barbacena or Ouro Preto) if you want to split the trip. As you approach Catas Altas, watch for the signs to the access road via Santa Bárbara/Barão de Cocais or Mariana, depending on your route. As for travelers from São Paulo, having a car gives you the freedom to explore nearby attractions, but remember to drive carefully on Minas Gerais roads, especially at night or in the rain.
By bus: There is no direct bus from Rio de Janeiro to Catas Altas, but you can take a bus to Belo Horizonte and connect there. Companies such as Viação UTIL and Gontijo have several daily departures from Rio (Novo Rio) to Belo Horizonte, a trip of about 6 to 7 hours (around 430 km). Rio–BH buses are usually comfortable and the route passes through Juiz de Fora along the BR-040. Once at the BH bus station, you can board the bus to Barão de Cocais/Catas Altas as mentioned above (an extra 3 hours). In terms of cost, the two bus tickets combined (Rio–BH and BH–Catas Altas) will probably be much cheaper than a flight or private transfer, which makes this option attractive for backpackers or travelers in no hurry. However, the total travel time will be long – possibly 10 hours or more counting both legs and waiting. Another overland option from Rio is to take a bus to Ouro Preto or Mariana (UTIL runs regular lines linking Rio to these historic Minas towns) and arrange transport from there to Catas Altas, about 60 km away. This last option requires more planning, though, and there is no regular direct bus from Mariana to Catas Altas, so a private transfer is usually needed from there. For most travelers, therefore, the route via Belo Horizonte ends up being the simplest and safest.

Arriving at your destination: Whatever means of transport you choose, Catas Altas will greet you with stunning scenery. The town has a well-preserved historic center, cobblestone streets and a welcoming small-town atmosphere. Rest after your trip while admiring the view of the Serra do Caraça, and explore the local attractions – churches, squares and jabuticaba wineries – on foot, since everything is close by. Catas Altas is a destination that rewards the journey: whether you come from BH or from far away, the trip ends in a charming retreat where nature and history meet in perfect harmony. Have a great trip and enjoy your stay!