Major city · Brazil
São Thomé das Letras
Spend 1–2 days in São Thomé das Letras: explore the stone church, pyramid house, waterfalls and UFO‑spotting cross.
São Thomé das Letras is a small mountain town in Southern Minas Gerais, known for its quirky rock formations, historic churches and UFO‑watching spot. Most visitors fit the highlights into a single day, but an extra night lets you hike to the nearby waterfalls and enjoy the relaxed night‑life.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (check)
- avoid Jul–Aug (rain, check)
- Airport
- CNF
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for São Thomé das Letras190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about São Thomé das Letras, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch for steep roads after rain and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCNF Belo Horizonte/Confins International Airport (Bus or carpool to town about 2 h 30 min (check)).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable; most attractions are reachable on foot or by short taxi rides (≈5 km (3.1 mi)).The town centre is walkable; most attractions are reachable on foot or by short taxi rides (≈3.1 mi (5 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféR$5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse or pousada, a night, per personR$120 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range pousada, a night, per personR$300 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMid‑range pousada, a night, per personR$450 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$150 (≈ US$30) · Mid R$250 (≈ US$50) · High R$400 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CNF Belo Horizonte/Confins International Airport (Bus or carpool to town about 2 h 30 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jul (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
São Thomé das Letras: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable; most attractions are reachable on foot or by short taxi rides (≈5 km). No public transport within town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Luminárias
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Belo Horizonte to Três Corações, then local minibus; total ≈2 h
Historic mining town, similar vibe.
Caxambu
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Três Corações, then local minibus; ≈2 h
Known for mineral waters.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pousada Shangrilá
Simple rooms, near Shangrilá waterfall; good for budget travelers.
Pousada das Estrelas
Central location, basic amenities.
Pousada Alpha Centauris
Mid‑range, close to Pyramid House.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$250–400 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- High
- R$400 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range pousada2 × 1 night × R$300 | R$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$250 | R$500 |
| Bus Belo Horizonte → São Thomé das Letras (Expresso Gardenia)2 × R$115 · check | R$230 |
| Carpool ride (Blablacar)2 × R$60 · check | R$120 |
| Taxi within town (5 km)2 × R$30 · check | R$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$151 |
| Trip total≈ R$831 per person per day, bed included | R$1,661≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in reais; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Meal (regional cuisine) | R$20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Pizza (wood‑oven) | R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Waterfall entrance (if any) | R$5–10 (≈ US$1–2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads are steep and winding; drive carefully, especially after rain.
- Some waterfalls lack signage; ask locals for safe paths.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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São Thomé das LetrasSão Thomé das Letras
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in São Paulo; Brazilian embassy in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Belo Horizonte → São Thomé das Letras, bus: about R$115 (≈ US$25), 2 h 30 min (check)
- Taxi town centre → Véu de Noiva waterfall: ≈ R$30, 5 km (3.1 mi) (check)≈ R$30, 3.1 mi (5 km) (check)
Say or show
- Com licença — Excuse me / Sorry (kohm lee-sah)
- Obrigado — Thank you (ob-ree-gah-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh koos-tah)
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (ohn-jee fee-kah oo bahn-yay-roh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for São Thomé das Letras. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (check) · avoid Jul–Aug (rain, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus from Belo Horizonte (Expresso Gardenia) – R$115 (2021, check for 2026).
- Carpool via Blablacar – R$60 (2021, check).
- Rent a car and exit Fernão Dias at Três Corações, follow MG‑868.
Sources
Ask about São Thomé das Letras
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