Capitol Guide: Tips for planning your trip
Those who follow travel instagrans have certainly come across this paradise that has given a boom in Minas Gerais tourism since the middle of last year. The paradise in question is called Capitol and stays in Minas Gerais between the Serra da Canastra and Lake Furnas, that is, there is no shortage of incredible natural landscapes and lots of greenery !!!
Capitol is the right destination for nature lovers, as there are countless waterfalls, natural pools, several trails that can be done by trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking or motorcycling, or for those who don't enjoy anything of adventure, a good speedboat ride it is the right choice to discover all these beautiful sceneries.
I've been to town twice, last year (during Holy Week and just before the explosion of tourism there) and this year (also during holy week and with the city absurdly crowded).
But why always on the Holy Week holiday??
Because long before Capitol City was known as it is now, lake cliffs, which is a super spa top in the city, it was already well known for its incredible parties this holiday and soon I'll talk more about Escarpas and Holy Week there.
HOW TO GET ?
Well… the place is really beautiful and worth the sacrifice but I’m already advancing that get to Capitólio from Rio or São Paulo it is not a very easy task.
Leaving Rio de Janeiro, the distance is 631 km and the route can be done by two ways, going through Teresópolis (towards Juiz de Fora) or going through Resende. The first takes 10 hours on the road (yes, 10 hours because the roads are terrible from Barbacena, so this whole time) and the second takes an average of 8 hours.
I don't know the way through Resende, which is done by highway BR-354 and I also don't remember why the hell I didn't do this route since it takes less time (but at the time there must have been some explanation hahahaha). Last year I went by car and took the road from Teresopolis, by BR-040 and BR-265 highways, and I found it a very tiring trip, not only because of the distance (because I love to drive on roads) but because the road is really bad, the BR-265 it was one of the worst roads I've ever driven in my life, all potholes, poorly signposted and with lots of trucks. The road only gets better again when we enter the MG-050 which is great and is the road that leads to Capitólio. As I had never taken these roads before, I used the waze app that I think is great for roads, ok, that he gave me some trolling to get me out of some supposed traffic and threw me into some very strange little towns along the way, apart from that detail it worked very well and after 10 endless hours I arrived at my destination.
Leaving São Paulo, the distance is 439 km and the journey takes an average of 6 hours, regardless of the road you choose. There are 3 options, taking the BR-146 (towards Campinas), BR-381 (towards Pouso Alegre) or yet BR-050 (towards Jundiaí)
This year, I didn't want to drive and that's why I went to São Paulo to meet some friends so we could all leave there together. It is still a tiring journey but I found the road less worse than leaving Rio.
Ok, but what is the best way to get to Capitólio from Rio ??
I think the most practical and comfortable way is taking a flight to Belo Horizonte and from there renting a car and heading to Capitólio, it's another 3 hours on the road MG-050 and good luck… I told you it wasn't an easy task hahahaha.
For those who want to save money, another option is leave by bus here from Rio to Belo Horizonte and from there take another bus to Capitólio.
Oh, and for those who have no intention of saving money and still want to optimize ( is very) your time, there is a helipad in Escarpas do Lago (and several houses also have) and helicopter flights from Rio or Sampa to there last an average of just over an hour.
WHERE TO STAY?
There's a place with options for all tastes and pockets!!!! In Capitólio or in its surroundings it is possible to find campings to resorts, going through super charming hotels or even renting luxury houses in Escarpas do Lago.
The two times I've been to the city I've stayed in Lake Escarpments and I opted for rent house with friends and this is an excellent option only when you are going with a large group, because in addition to all the houses there being huge, the rent is also not cheap. Anyway, I think Escarpas is the most charming place in the city, the neighborhood ( or luxury condominium, until today I don't know exactly if Escarpas is a neighborhood or a condominium, lol ) it has some bars, restaurants, a small market, a marina and is about 20 minutes from Capitólio and about 40 minutes from the Furnas Canyons.
How to rent houses there ?? There are several sites for renting houses and until today we use Imobiliária Escarpas. There it is also possible to rent a boat to go on a trip and if you need a maid and/or cook they also indicate (I think it's great value for money when the group is large).
Still in Escarpas it is also possible to stay in a Hotel, the Hotel Escarpas do Lago, I don't know it but by the structure of the place I imagine it's at least good.
Other options are little inns ranging from simple to very charming and most are located around the MG-050 road near the canyons or in very close cities such as Formiga and Sao Jose da Barra🇧🇷 By the way, in Formiga there is a well-known resort in the region, which is Furnas Park. (I don't know either but I have good references from him).
For those who like camping, the best option is the one at Pousada do Rio Turvo.
HOW TO MOVE ?
So… if getting to Capitólio is not a very simple thing, getting around it isn’t either, then I really I advise you to arrive in the city by car. Most trails, waterfalls and canyons are in the middle of the road and although there are buses, they are scarce, as well as taxis. To be honest, I've never seen a taxi or a bus there, but I know they exist hahaha.
If you don't have a car, a tip is schedule tours with guides🇧🇷 They can be hired at the hotel itself or even at facing the Rio Turvo, where is Turvo's restaurant (very good by the way) on the road MG-050 at km 306 . There it is possible to hire boat trips, trails, helicopter flights through the canyons and several other tours.
WHEN TO GO ?
Summer has excellent weather to make the most of the waterfalls and take a dip in Lake Furnas (which has very cold water) but it is also the season when it usually rains in the late afternoon and also a greater probability of waterspouts. Luckily, I always had good weather going in March, beautiful days with a little rain from time to time but nothing that would interfere with a walk. The driest time is between May and September but also much cooler, because at night it's super common for the temperature to drop a lot.
WHAT IS A MUST?
- canyons of furnas – There are tips on Instagram on @nosnatrip on how to get to know the canyons, but I highly recommend renting a speedboat and enjoying the day at your own pace and enjoying the whole view of these rocky walls with beautiful waterfalls and incredible landscapes.
- blue Lagoon – actually it is green, lol but it is beautiful and has several spots for bathing, not to mention that it has a good structure with an inn, restaurant and the trail is well maintained. You pay a fee of R$20 reais to access it.
- waterfall – a little waterfall that is right next to the canyons, can be accessed on foot from the canyons viewpoint and is a delight to spend a few hours there.
- Fecho da Serra Waterfall – it is beautiful and has several wells for bathing, as well as a structure for a bar and camping.
- Don't miss out on getting to know sun trail it's the Lost paradise
