Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is known for its modernist architecture and vibrant cultural scene. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 2.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is 75 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 BRL ≈ 0.20 USD. Brazilian Real (BRL) is the currency. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is considered potable but many prefer to drink bottled or filtered water. |
| 🔌 Power | 127V, 60Hz, 🛋️ Type N sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Claro, Vivo, and TIM. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; online services like Wise and Revolut work well. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include long-term rentals, Airbnb, and hostels like Ouro Minas Palace Hotel. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, Brazil has adopted cashless transactions widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental services are available, with properties starting around R$100 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Hi Hostel and North Palace Hotel, with rates from R$50 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Savassi and Pampulha are popular neighborhoods for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Lourdes and Funcionários are known for coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Espaço Coworking offers excellent amenities for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café com Letras provides a cozy atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are often hosted at local coworking spaces or cafés; check platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Expats in Belo group on Facebook for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and 99 are the main ride-hailing services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike sharing programs like Bike BH are available in the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Closest beach is Praia de Oliveira, about 1.5 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca and Gol operate frequent connections from Belo Horizonte. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM Airlines and American Airlines serve international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | BR-040 and BR-262 are the major highways connecting the city. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estação Central is the main train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly transit pass costs around R$150. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services connect Belo Horizonte with nearby cities like Ouro Preto and Tiradentes. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital das Clínicas is the largest and most recognized healthcare facility in the region. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Flow and Espaço Zen offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit and Academia Fórmula are popular fitness centers. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava e Seca offers reliable wash and fold services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood is the leading food delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pão de queijo and feijão tropeiro are local delicacies. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegano e Natural offers a great menu for vegetarian and vegan diets. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Doces da Gê offers amazing traditional Brazilian sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central is perfect for local snacks and ingredients. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercadolivre and Amazon Brazil serve as popular shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercados such as Carrefour offer delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Savassi is known for its nightlife and bar scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria Backer is a well-known local craft brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine House BH features a selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Feira Hippie is a great spot for street food on Sundays. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Outback and Madero offer well-loved international options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Praça da Liberdade and Pampulha Architectural Complex are iconic sights. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu de Arte da Pampulha showcases contemporary art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The São Francisco de Assis Church is a notable architectural landmark. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Catedral da Boa Viagem is a prominent cathedral worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Carnaval is a major festival celebrated with parades and parties. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Savassi district is rich in culture and nightlife. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Francisco Nunes hosts a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Central is a bustling spot filled with local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Music venues like the Palácio das Artes are popular for concerts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Lapa district features impressive street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The School of Gastronomy offers Brazilian cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria Arco offers exhibitions showcasing local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Centro de Arte e Cultura carries historical significance. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The historical legacy of Minas Gerais is reflected in its cuisine and architecture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque das Mangabeiras is a large park with walking trails and green spaces. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Serra do Cipó National Park is great for day trips and hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Pampulha Lagoon offers scenic paths for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirante do Mangabeiras gives stunning views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moça is ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in local parks allow bonfires; check regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios is the official postal service for deliveries. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | No Break and iPlace offer reliable tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | You can play at Parque Municipal, which has table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Brasil offers Portuguese language classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pública de Minas Gerais is a well-resourced public library. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural João Ceschiatti hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over is a popular spot for gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Belo Horizonte, but bars often host game nights. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$7,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$280,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$220,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$450,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$348,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$640,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$6,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$496,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% for companies with profits exceeding R$240,000 annually. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% withholding tax applies to dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Income tax is progressive, ranging from 0% to 27.5%. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 27.5% |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate (ICMS) is 18%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil has rules governing the taxation of foreign entities. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically around 3% of the property purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Brazil offers tax exemptions for certain income types for foreign residents. |