Santo Antônio do Jacinto

Day Trips

Touch down in Santo Antônio do Jacinto and feel the gentle breezes off the Jequitinhonha River as you check into a cozy pousada. Wander along the riverside walkway, greeting friendly locals and admiring colourful fishing boats bobbing on the water. Snap photos of the lush, emerald hills reflecting in the calm river before indulging in fresh coffee at a nearby kiosk.

Join a guided orientation walk through the town centre, learning about its rich history and colonial architecture. Stop at a bakery to sample coxinha and pão de queijo, savoring the warm, cheesy bites that locals love. Continue to Praça da Matriz to watch artisans display handmade lace and embroidery under shady tamarind trees.

Dine at a rustic family-run restaurant where regional specialties like galinha com quiabo and angu await. Enjoy live forró music in the square as the sunset paints the sky in pink and orange hues. Conclude the night with a stroll by the river, listening to the croaking frogs and distant chatter of neighbors.

Rise early to explore the bustling Mercado Municipal, where vendors sell fresh produce, homemade cheeses and vibrant textiles. Inhale the spicy scent of freshly ground farinha and local coffee as you chat with market gardeners. Pick up tropical fruits like mangoes and pitangas for a taste of the region’s sweet harvest.

Head to the town centre to admire the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio, its whitewashed walls glowing in the afternoon sun. Dive into a history talk at the interpretive centre to learn about the town’s founding and river trade routes. Pause at a shaded café to sip caldo de cana and watch daily life unfold around the plaza.

Join a group for a traditional barbecue (churrasco) in a backyard gathering, sampling juicy meats and caipirinhas. Share stories with friendly locals under strings of fairy lights. End the evening with a leisurely walk, enjoying the music drifting from nearby homes and the cool night air.

Climb aboard a wooden boat for a guided tour along the meandering Jequitinhonha River, spotting herons and kingfishers along the banks. Feel the warm sun on your skin as the boat glides past waving fishermen and lush riverside gardens. Listen to the captain’s tales of hidden coves and river legends passed down through generations.

Disembark at a secluded sandbar for a picnic of local cheeses, cassava bread, fresh fruits and cold coconut water. Wade into the shallow waters for a refreshing swim or try your hand at fishing with a simple rod. Marvel at the dramatic cliffs rising from the river as you lounge under a makeshift palm umbrella.

Return to town for a sunset boat ride back, painting the river gold and crimson. Celebrate with a riverside dinner of fried fish and farofa under lantern light. Toast to the day’s memories with a tangy passion fruit caipirinha before heading back to your pousada.

Join a local chef in her home kitchen to learn how to prepare regional favorites like tutu de feijão and angu de milho. Witness the artistry of grinding corn by hand and stirring pots over wood-fired stoves. Taste the dough and season as you go, guided by generations-old family recipes.

Savor the fruits of your labor in a communal lunch with newfound friends, paired with homemade fruit juices and fresh salads. Engage in a demonstration of regional sweets like doce de leite and paçoca while sipping espresso. Take home a booklet of recipes written in your language by your host as a cherished souvenir.

Relax with an informal forró lesson in the backyard, stepping in time to accordion and zabumba rhythms. Feel your laughter mix with the sounds of dancing soles on wooden boards. Return to your room full of new culinary skills and joyful memories.

Embark on a walking tour of Santo Antônio do Jacinto’s hidden chapels and colonial-era landmarks, draped in morning light. Gaze upon hand-painted altarpieces and wooden sculptures dating back two centuries. Learn about the artisanal tile work and the saints honored in each intimate sanctuary.

Visit a local historian who will open the doors to his private archive, sharing photos and documents of the town’s early settlers. Wander through narrow lanes lined with pastel-colored facades, imagining life in the 1800s. Pause for a light lunch of empadão de frango under a blossoming flamboyant tree.

Gather at the main church square for an evening mass or devotions, inhaling the scented smoke of incense. Afterward, join the faithful in candlelit processions, their flickering flames illuminating smiling faces. Conclude with a quiet discussion over herbal tea about the traditions you’ve witnessed.

Put on hiking boots and set off on a guided trek through the nearby cerrado, listening for the calls of the blue-crowned motmot and the shrill cry of the caraça. Spot orchids and bromeliads clinging to rocky outcrops as your naturalist guide points out medicinal plants. Breathe in the earthy aroma of dry grasses and sun-warmed stones.

Enjoy a packed lunch beside a scenic lookout, watching vultures and hawks soar on thermal winds. Continue along winding paths to discover hidden pools where you can dip your feet. Learn about conservation efforts aimed at preserving this unique ecosystem.

Return for a simple dinner of rice, beans and fried cassava at a rural homestead restaurant. Swap stories with fellow travelers around a bonfire under a canopy of stars. Drift off to sleep to the chorus of nocturnal insects and distant howls of foxes.

Visit a local lace-maker who teaches the delicate art of bobbin lace in her sunlit studio. Feel the fine threads slip through your fingers as you practice basic stitches on a tiny pillow. Admire walls lined with intricate doilies and table runners, each a testament to patient craftsmanship.

Head to a pottery workshop where you mold clay into cups, plates and small sculptures using age-old techniques. Decorate your creations with colorful glazes inspired by river pebbles and cerrado flowers. While they fire, stroll through a gallery showcasing regional paintings and handcrafted jewelry.

Attend a live demonstration of capoeira in the town square as dusk settles, feeling the rhythmic energy of music and movement. Enjoy spicy acarajé snacks from a street vendor as local percussionists keep the beat. End the night with a glass of sugarcane rum and reflective conversation about the day’s creative endeavors.

Travel to a nearby family farm to participate in a community-led sustainable agriculture project. Learn to plant seedlings, harvest vegetables and care for free-range hens. Share stories over fresh guava juice as farmers explain crop rotation and soil conservation methods.

Help prepare a communal lunch with ingredients you harvested, cooking under a thatched shelter. Feast on green beans, grilled corn and homemade cheese while overlooking verdant fields. Engage in a roundtable discussion about rural life, education initiatives and eco-tourism opportunities.

Assist in setting up an outdoor screening of local documentary footage about the region’s traditions. Sit with hosts on wooden benches, munching on pipoca doce and observing villagers’ reactions. Return to town with a sense of purpose and connection to the land.

Drive to a hidden waterfall nestled in a lush valley just outside town. Hear the roar of water before you see it, then feel the mist cool your skin as you approach the natural plunge pool. Marvel at the moss-covered rocks and rainbow sprays dancing in the sun.

Enjoy a packed snack of pão de queijo and tropical fruits on a flat stone ledge near the falls. Swim in the crystal-clear waters or relax on the warm boulders, listening to the soothing rush of the cascade. Join a local guide for a short hike upstream to discover smaller, secluded falls.

Return to town for a riverside feast of fried plantains, grilled river fish and hearty salads. Share photos of the waterfall with fellow travelers at a casual bar by lantern light. Drift off to the sound of the river flowing softly under the moonlit sky.

Take a final stroll through the quiet streets, purchasing last-minute souvenirs like embroidered linens and ceramic mugs. Stop at your favorite café for a warm pastel de queijo and a strong cup of coffee. Reflect on the friendships you’ve made and the adventures you’ve shared.

Gather with hosts and fellow travelers for a farewell lunch featuring regional specialties and festive music. Toast with fresh-squeezed fruit juice and exchange heartfelt goodbyes. Enjoy a surprise performance by a local dance group, celebrating the spirit of Santo Antônio do Jacinto.

Conclude your journey with a riverside campfire, roasting sweet bananas wrapped in banana leaves. Sing along to live guitar and percussion as embers glimmer against the dark water. Carry the warmth of this vibrant community with you as you prepare to depart.