Mountain climate and charming hotels are Monte Verde’s differentials

February 23, 2022

Robert

Located in the Serra da Mantiqueira and full of attractions linked to nature, Monte Verde was chosen as one of the most welcoming destinations in the world. Known for its European architecture and the low temperatures reached in winter, the village in the south of Minas has been gaining prominence in the national tourist scene.

The ranking of the most welcoming cities for 2022 was carried out by the Booking.com platform. It was defined from the proportion of accommodations with an average rating above eight in the cities. The award is based on more than 232 million reviews from real travelers who have stayed at the accommodations.

This is the second time that Monte Verde appears on the list. In 2020, the city was ranked ninth. This year, it rose in the rankings and ranked sixth, being the only Brazilian among the ten most welcoming in the global ranking.

Despite being recognized as a welcoming city, Monte Verde is actually a district. The village of Camanducaia is in the Mantiqueira mountain range, on the border between Minas Gerais and São Paulo. It is about 520 km from Belo Horizonte and 165 km from the city of São Paulo. A car journey from São Paulo usually takes less than three hours.

The Monte Verde district, which receives around 1 million tourists a year, was founded by an immigrant from Latvia, Verner Grinberg. According to tourismologist Marcos Alain, the name of the village comes from the translation of the surname Grinberg, which means Monte Verde.

When Verner settled in the region, he began to exploit local timber and called on European immigrants to work for him. “As people arrived, they started to build their houses and, as they were all Europeans, they built according to the architectural standards they knew”, says the tourist expert.

For him, this is one of the main charms of Monte Verde. The combination of European architecture with the characteristic hospitality of the people of Minas Gerais.

Marcos, who also owns a tourism agency in the city, says that tourism in Monte Verde began to gain strength in the last ten years, with the paving of the access road to the site.

Monte Verde also gained prominence in the tourist scene during the pandemic. According to Silvia Urias, manager of the Monte Verde and Region Development Agency, the work promoted in the city for the resumption of tourism was seen as a reference for a safe reopening of tourist activities.

According to her, the population of the district is financially dependent on tourism. Therefore, it was important to establish and comply with protocols that made it possible for tourists to come. In addition, as a destination with outdoor activities, it attracted many travelers during the pandemic.

For Silvia, recognition as a welcoming city is a sign that the work developed in the city is on the right path and encourages us to continue seeking partnerships and investments.

Camanducaia’s secretary of tourism, Bruno Rosa, is proud to see the city’s recognition among other global destinations. “It is an award that has to be dedicated to tourism workers and entrepreneurs. For Monte Verde it is a huge honor and increases our responsibility even more”, he says.

Tourists who come to Monte Verde find the gastronomy, activities in contact with nature and the mountain climate, with mild temperatures throughout the year, as strong differentials.

Those who visit the city cannot miss Pedra Redonda, the main local tourist spot. It is located at almost 2,000 meters of altitude and provides a panoramic view of nearby cities, such as São José dos Campos, Taubaté and Caçapava.

Another highlight is the Radical Farm, a park that features various activities in the midst of nature. The attractions are varied and include two large zip lines, tree climbing, climbing, archery, horseback riding and trails with quadricycles.

Another option for those who like to be connected with the environment is the Falconry School. The space introduces visitors to the history of falconry and teaches about the biology and management of birds of prey.

At the school, visitors can have contact with hawks and owls. The team works to rehabilitate birds of prey rescued by the police. The space is about 4 km from the center of the district and can only be visited by prior arrangement.

The accommodation options also serve different audiences. The Pousada Suiça Mineira (daily from R$390 to R$1,295 in low season) is 500 meters from the center, providing easy access, but guaranteeing tranquility for guests. The venue also has a heated pool, sauna and a restaurant serving contemporary European cuisine.

Hotel Mirante da Colyna (daily from R$ 925 to R$ 1,900 in low season) is 300 meters from the shopping center and has a large leisure area with a heated pool, sauna, tennis court, fitness space and a SPA. In addition, even being in the central area, the hotel is surrounded by green areas and has its own ecological trail.

The Fazenda Hotel Itapuá (daily from R$575 to R$970 in low season) is about 5 km from the entrance to Monte Verde. The hotel is a reforestation farm and is made up of chalets far apart, ensuring the privacy and comfort of guests. The space also has saunas, heated pool, two restaurants, a waterfall and several trails in the middle of nature.

Another attraction of the village is the shopping center, full of shops, galleries, chocolate shops, restaurants and cafes. The city has several restaurant options, ranging from traditional Minas Gerais cuisine to European cuisine.

The couple from Minas Gerais Gustavo Furtado and Luiz Maciel, who talk about trips in the Reservas para Dois profile on social networks, were enchanted by the city. According to them, the main points of the destination are the always pleasant weather and the incredible restaurants.

The two intend to return to Monte Verde in the winter and endorse choosing the village as a welcoming destination. “Based on the experience we had in the city when we went, we agreed and were happy with this title, Monte Verde is a special place”, says Luiz.