Monte Verde
Tourism

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immigrants from Latvia, followed by Hungarians and Germans. The presence of Europeans is reflected in the Alpine-style wooden houses, the carefully tended gardens, the arts and crafts and the way of life and customs of the inhabitants. Monte Verde lies 32km/20mi from Camanducaia, 484km/300mi north of Belo Horizonte and 166km/103mi north-east of São Paulo.

Access

Monte Verde is reached from Camanducaia on a difficult unsurfaced road; but the village also has an airstrip suitable for light aircraft, from which there are sightseeing trips in the valley.

Craft products

In the village and the surrounding area there are dozens of hotels, pousadas and hotel-fazendas. The sale of local products, including hand-crafted articles (sweets, chocolate, apple brandy, pottery) is a major element in the economy. Visitors can see round the workshops of the local craftsmen and watch the various stages in the making of the pottery.

Excursions

There is ample scope round Monte Verde for hill walking, climbing and pony trekking. 4km/2.5mi from the village is the viewpoint known as the Chapéu do Bispo ("Bishop's Hat"), and within a radius of 6km/4mi there are the peaks of Pedra Partida (2050m/6725ft), Plato (1980m/6495ft), Pico Selado (2080m/6825ft) and Pedra Redonda (about 2000m/6560ft).