museum
Inhotim
A 140-hectare contemporary art park in Minas Gerais where purpose-built pavilions for single artists sit among botanical gardens and lakes. The largest open-air art centre in Latin America.
50 km · about 60 min drive
South AmericaBrazilMinas Gerais
Pará de Minas
Minas Gerais, Brazil · South America
About Pará de Minas
Pará de Minas sits on the route: 30 minutes from Igaratinga, 50km from Inhotim.
Pará de Minas is in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with about 97,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Igaratinga, about 15 km away.
Pará de Minas is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the Southeast Region of Brazil. It is part of the metropolitan belt of Belo Horizonte and is situated west of the state capital, approximately 75 km (47 mi) away in the Central region of Minas Gerais. The municipality covers an area ofRead more
551.247 km2 (212.838 sq mi), with 9.9 km2 (3.8 sq mi) within the urban area. Its population was estimated at 102,033 inhabitants in 2024.
The municipality's average annual temperature is 21.8 °C (71.2 °F), and its original vegetation is predominantly Atlantic Forest. With 95% of the population residing in the urban area, the city had 50 healthcare facilities in 2009. Its Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.725, classified as high compared to the national average.
The exploration of the area that is now Pará de Minas began in the second half of the 17th century, following the establishment of a rest stop for bandeirantes traveling to and from the mines of Pitangui, some of whom settled in the area. The construction of the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel in the 18th century marks the establishment of the settlement, which developed over decades through subsistence agriculture. It was elevated to district status in 1846 and achieved municipal emancipation in 1859. Throughout the 20th century, the textile industry, steel industry, and agribusiness gained prominence, establishing Pará de Minas as a key regional hub for pig farming and poultry farming.
Events such as the city's carnival (ParáFolia), the Pará de Minas Cavalcade, and the Fest Frango (State Chicken and Pork Fair) are among the main attractions of Pará de Minas, alongside cultural programs at the House of Culture, Cine Café, and the Geraldina Campos de Almeida Municipal Theater. Within the urban area, Bariri Park offers spaces for walking, relaxation, and children's recreation. On the Santa Cruz Ridge, the Christ the Redeemer monument of Pará de Minas, inspired by the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, has become one of the municipality's most iconic landmarks.
Where to Stay in Pará de Minas
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Pará de Minas.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Pará de Minas.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Pará de Minas?
Within an hour or so of Pará de Minas: Inhotim (50 km).
Are there any good drives near Pará de Minas?
The nearest famous roads are Ouro Preto.
Where is Pará de Minas?
Pará de Minas is in Minas Gerais, Brazil, about 15 km from Igaratinga.
Road trip
Drive to Pará de Minas
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Pará de Minas. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 97,139
- Continent
- South America
- Country
- Brazil
- Region
- Minas Gerais
- Timezone
- America/Sao_Paulo
- Coordinates
- -19.8603, -44.6083
Tags
Worth the detour from Pará de Minas
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Pará de Minas.
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Pará de Minas.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.