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Before you go
Your trip to Lagoa Santa.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Lagoa Santa – MG Destination Route of the Caves (Lagoa Santa; Sete Lagoas; Cordisburgo) about 35 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte-Confins (CNF) Confins · 12 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Belo Horizonte it is about 35 km via Linha Verde and MG-010, passing the access road to Confins Airport. There are metropolitan buses from the capital, with a trip of about one hour. From the airport, access to the town is via LMG-800 and MG-010.
How many days
One day allows you to visit the Gruta da Lapinha and the Peter Lund Museum in the morning and walk along the lagoon promenade in the afternoon. With two days you can include the trails of the Parque do Sumidouro and the Casa Fernão Dias in Pedro Leopoldo.
When to go
All year round. From April to September there is little rain and the trails in Parque do Sumidouro are firm; mornings are cool. In summer, rain showers are more common at the end of the day. The cave has a stable temperature at any time of year.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Tips. The Gruta da Lapinha is about 10 km from the center, in the Lapinha neighborhood, and public transport to it is limited. The lagoon promenade and the town center are walkable. Those continuing to Sete Lagoas and Cordisburgo save time by car.
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 Lagoa Santa
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Morning
Gruta da Lapinha
Go early to the Parque Estadual do Sumidouro and take the guided tour of the Gruta da Lapinha, with its chambers on several levels.
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Afternoon
Museu Peter Lund
See the fossils and the exhibits about karst at the Museu Peter Lund, next to the cave, and walk the short Circuito Lapinha trail.
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Late afternoon
Lakeside promenade
Return to town and walk along the lagoon promenade, with about 6 km of shoreline, or stop at Praça Dr. Lund.
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Evening
Centre
Dine at the restaurants on the promenade and in the town center.
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
What is the distance from Belo Horizonte to Lagoa Santa?
About 35 km via Linha Verde and MG-010. The Gruta da Lapinha is about 50 km from downtown Belo Horizonte.
Is Lagoa Santa near Confins Airport?
Yes. The airport is about 12 km from the town center, and part of its area is within the municipality of Lagoa Santa itself.
Can you swim in the lagoon of Lagoa Santa?
The lagoon is mainly used for walking, cycling and shoreline sports. Before entering the water, check with the city hall about bathing conditions.
Where is Peter Lund buried?
In Lagoa Santa, in the place he chose, in the shade of a pequizeiro where he liked to read. The tomb has a bust of the naturalist, erected in 1935 by the Academia Mineira de Letras.