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Before you go
Your trip to Araxá.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Araxá – MG Destination Nascentes das Gerais e Canastra about 367 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
From Belo Horizonte it is about 370 km via BR-262, which then continues toward Uberaba. The bus station receives buses from Belo Horizonte and cities in the Triângulo Mineiro; check schedules. The Complexo do Barreiro is about 5 km south of the town center.
How many days
Two days are enough for the Barreiro—its springs, gardens and a thermal bath—and for the town center. With three days you can include the museums and a visit to the region’s cheese farms.
When to go
It can be visited year‑round. From April to September there is little rain and nights are cooler, which favors thermal baths. From October to March there is more rain, especially in the afternoons.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Helpful info: the center is walkable, but the Barreiro is about 5 km away. Without a car, take a taxi. For the cheese farms and to continue on to the Serra da Canastra, a car is necessary.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Araxá
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Morning
Parque do Barreiro
Start at the Complexo do Barreiro, about 5 km from the center. Walk through Burle Marx’s gardens and taste the sulfurous water from Fonte Andrade Júnior on the lakeshore.
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Afternoon
Fonte Dona Beja and the Cascatinha
Climb to Fonte Dona Beja, with its tiles and shower cascades, and follow the Mata da Cascatinha trail to the viewpoint over the lake. If you wish, book a thermal bath.
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Late afternoon
Araxá town center
Return to the center and stroll through the town’s squares and shopping streets.
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Evening
Sweets and cheeses
Have dinner in the center and try the homemade sweets and regional cheeses.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Where are Araxá’s springs located?
In the Complexo do Barreiro, the hydrothermal spa about 5 km south of the town center. There are Fonte Andrade Júnior, with sulfurous water, and Fonte Dona Beja, with radioactive water.
Can you take a thermal bath in Araxá?
Yes. The Barreiro thermal baths offer baths with mineral water and mud, as well as treatments. Access rules and fees are set by the thermal complex administration and may change; check before you go.
Who was Dona Beja?
Ana Jacinta de São José, known as Dona Beja, arrived in Araxá in 1805 and became one of the best‑known figures in Minas history in the 19th century. Her life, surrounded by legends, inspired books and soap operas, and her name is on the Barreiro’s most famous spring.
Is Araxá near the Serra da Canastra?
Araxá lies in the Alto Paranaíba, north of the Serra da Canastra, and pairs well with a trip to the national park. Roads to São Roque de Minas and Vargem Bonita pass through regional towns; check the route before you depart.
How many days to stay in Araxá?
Two days for the Barreiro and the town center. With three days you can include museums and cheese farms.