I am officially without computer so I have to annonce it will be more difficult to post from now on. BUT: I will try my best 😝
After 4 days in Victória, Espírito Santo, I was supposed to make my way to Búzios, Rio de Janeiro. However, after a guide tour in Vitória and among some explaintions about the architecture of Brazil my desire to visit the old town of Ouro Preto grew up. If I wanted to see more of the Brazilian architecture without European influence I had to go there. And on my last day in Vitória I changed all my plans and I took a bus to Ouro Preto. 😋
Until that moment I was planning my trip with all the details but one that day something stronger made me changed everything AND I so happy I did it.
Night bus to Ouro Preto!
I was supposed to arrive in Ouro Preto at 3:30 am and I was shaking in the Vitória station because of that. Traveling and sleeping in a bus are not an issue for me anymore but arriving in one unkonw city at 3 am was a problem. I was not sure if I could get a taxi from the station to my hostel and none could answer my questions. Ouro Preto seemed to be small and not in the tour guides of the majority of the tourists.
It was raining and from what I could see of the outside, anything seemed familiar. The bus would stop to let people get off and I would get more and more afraid. None of the stations looked very big and the truth is none seemed to be open and has taxi drivers around. On the top of that, many motels and sex hotels on the road! BAD 😅😅
The time was passing and I was not sure about the time anymore. Anyway, at 6 am in my clock the bus arrived at the final stop: Ouro Preto. None explained me why we arrived so late and at the end I was so happy to see it was already day in Ouro Preto.
Hostel José e Maria
After the long journey I had, arriving in the hostel José e Maria was the best thing that happened to me.
I will remember for very long time the words of the owner when I arrived: “Hi Daniela, welcome. I know you! You have a blog and I have read what you write” – I was sooo happy to heard that! And among political and social conversations, I had my breakfast and all the tips to discover Vila Rica.
The hostel is not far from the bus station and 5 minutes walking from the main square of the city (Praça Tiradentes). The hostel offers dorms and also individual rooms for an affordable price. The breakfast: amazing! And on the top of that: a huge balcony with a very good view of the city – I believe the best spot to see the sunset 🌅 of the city is from this balcony -.
I also advise a view point of all city 200 meters from the hostel.
Ouro Preto town
Ouro Preto used to be called Vila Rica because of the exportation of minerals and gold. The old town of Ouro Preto did not changed much and here you find the oldest churches of Brazil, Aleijadinho´s art pieces (One of the most knowns Brazilian sculpturors) and the best food of Brazil.
Museums and Churches
If you do not like churches and museums, Ouro Preto will not be your city. But if you like history and you want to know more about Portuguese colonization: Make sure you add Ouro Preto in your traveling destinations!
Must see:
- Museu dos Inconfidentes
- Igreja Pilar
- Casa da Moeda
I chosed Ouro Preto to Búzios and I did not regretted for a single moment.
Waterfalls
If you like nature and waterfalls there are many trails you can do.
Must do:
- Cachoeira das Andorinhas
I would say 3 full days are enough to know all the city: churches, museums, waterfalls and the famous mines.
I hope you enjoyed this post.
Beijinho,
Daniela