Your stay — Itamara Motel
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The Property — Itamara Motel
Itamara Motel is a no-frills three-star on the edge of Ouro Preto's historic centre, built for travellers who need a clean, quiet bed after a day of cobbled hills. The lobby feels like a roadside stop from the 1970s: terrazzo floors, a small reception desk, and the smell of strong Brazilian coffee from a nearby pot. It suits budget-conscious visitors and road-trippers prioritising cost and location over charm — you're 15 minutes' walk from Tiradentes Square, not inside a restored colonial mansion.
Chronicles of Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto was the epicentre of Brazil's 18th-century gold rush, its steep streets lined with baroque churches that remain almost entirely intact. Founded as Vila Rica in 1711, the city became the richest in the Americas before the gold ran thin; its preservation as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980 froze the colonial architecture in time. Today the town is a living museum of soapstone fountains, narrow alleyways, and the explosive curves of Aleijadinho's soapstone carvings. Contemporary Ouro Preto juggles tourism with a busy student population — the Federal University keeps the bars and squares lively year-round.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ouro Preto guide →Best months
April, May and September. Autumn and early spring give clear skies, temperatures around 18-24°C, and far fewer visitors than July or December. You can photograph the churches and walk the hills without fighting through crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July is school holidays across Brazil, plus the Winter Festival (Festival de Inverno) at the end of the month fills the city with live music and theatre. Hotel prices double; you'll need to book Itamara months ahead. December and January also spike with summer tourists and New Year celebrations.
Budget shoulder season
March and November are the quietest sweet spots. March still has decent weather from the tail end of summer rains; November is dry but not yet busy. Room rates at Itamara can drop 30-40% compared to July, and you'll have Tiradentes Square almost to yourself in the evening.
Weather & packing
Ouro Preto's altitude (1,100 m) means it can drop to 12°C even in July, while daytime sun hits 26°C — pack a thermal layer and a light jacket for evening walks. Shorts are fine in the sun but you'll want long trousers after sunset. Rain showers can appear fast and vanish faster; a collapsible umbrella or waterproof shell is essential.
Live City Briefing — Ouro Preto
- The central square renovation around Tiradentes Church finished in late 2025 — the cobblestones are now even and the lighting was upgraded, so it's safe to walk at night. Some side streets off Rua São José still have loose stones; watch your ankles.
- A new direct bus line from Belo Horizonte's Confins airport to Ouro Preto (via the BRT terminal) launched in March 2026, cutting the transfer to about 2 hours by regular coach — check 'TransBrasil' for tickets. No more winding taxi ride for 450 reais.
- The municipal market on Rua Getúlio Vargas got a full renovation and reopened in June 2026 with better ventilation and more food stalls. Good for a cheap lunch of feijão tropeiro or pastel de angu before heading uphill.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Itamara Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (if available) facing away from the main road. Given the historic hillside setting, upper rooms will have better views and less street noise from Rua Direita or the main thoroughfare.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near reception or the street; these will catch traffic rumble from Ouro Preto’s narrow, cobbled roads. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft or any internal staircase.
Best views
Ask for a room facing the hills or the historic centre – Ouro Preto’s slopes mean rear-facing rooms can catch a valley vista or church spires. Street-facing rooms just get traffic and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Top floor (likely 3rd) is quietest, as no footsteps from above. Second floor next best, but avoid directly over communal areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Ouro Preto is built on steep terrain, so street noise bounces off the hills. Cobblestones amplify vehicle and foot noise early mornings and late evenings, especially on weekends when tour buses and partygoers pass.
Insider tips
1) Book direct or phone ahead to request a high floor room farthest from the street – staff at 3-star motels often oblige off-the-books. 2) If driving, ask about off-street parking availability at check-in; the hilltop town has very tight on-street spots.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Itamara Motel
Free Wi-Fi available in common areas and rooms; speed sufficient for messaging and web browsing, not for video streaming. No login required.
No lift. All rooms are on the first floor, reachable only by stairs.
No newspaper service. The building is a restored 19th-century colonial house with original wooden beams and stone walls.
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 on request. Late check-out until 13:00 costs R$60, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage at reception on check-in and check-out days.
No step-free entry or accessible rooms. The property has steps at the entrance and inside; not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is Estacionamento Rua Direita (Rua Direita, 188, Centro) at R$35 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% deposit is charged at booking; a R$200 incidental card hold is placed at check-in and released at checkout.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Brazilian Real, BRL
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks which give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless is common; keep cash for small vendors and markets.
Restaurants usually include 10% service charge; if not, tip 10% for good service. Taxis: no tip expected but rounding up appreciated. Hotel staff: R$5-10 per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso (cafézinho) at a local bar or bakery: about R$3-5.
A prato feito (set meal of rice, beans, meat, salad) at a simple restaurant: around R$15-25.
A main course like a steak or fish dish at a mid-range restaurant: R$30-50.
Pastéis (fried pastries) and acarajé from street stalls near the main square (Praça Tiradentes) and markets.
Supermarkets like Supermercado Bahamas and Supermercado BH are common for affordable groceries.
Look for cheap clothing at local street markets (feiras) or department stores like Riachuelo.
Local buses (ônibus) cost around R$4.50 per ride; the cheapest way from the airport is the bus into town (about R$6).
Eat at lunchtime when set meals are cheapest; buy water and snacks from supermarkets rather than tourist spots; negotiate prices at markets and for guided tours.
Good to know — Ouro Preto
Type C/N · 127/220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ R$5.1 · BRL
Emergency Contacts
Ouro PretoIn Ouro Preto, tourist police (Policia Turistica) are also reachable on (31) 3551-2320. For non-emergency help, the local city guard (Guarda Municipal) is on 153. Keep a copy of your passport and travel insurance details handy.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ouro Preto, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Itamara Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ouro Preto Rodoviária → Pousada Carumbé
💡 The station is downhill from the historic centre. If you have light luggage, walk up Rua Direita (10 mins) and save the fare—taxis charge extra for the climb.
Pousada Carumbé (Rua São José stop) → Centro Histórico (Praça Tiradentes)
💡 Pay with cash or a rechargeable 'Cartão Ouro' card (sold at newsstands). Buses are frequent but crowded at peak times—hold your bag close.
Confins International Airport (CNF) → Pousada Carumbé, Ouro Preto
💡 Book with a local driver service like TransOuro for fixed rates. Avoid flagging taxis at the airport—they charge double.
Belo Horizonte Rodoviária (bus station) → Ouro Preto bus station (Rodoviária)
💡 Buy your ticket at least 30 mins early at the Pássaro Verde counter. The return trip from Ouro Preto station costs the same but has fewer departures after 18:00.
About Ouro Preto
Wikipedia ↗
Ouro Preto (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈo(w)ɾu ˈpɾetu], lit. 'Black Gold'), formerly Vila Rica (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvilɐ ˈʁikɐ], lit. 'Rich Town'), is a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The city, a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains, was...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Itamara Motel?
Request a room on the top floor (if available) facing away from the main road. Given the historic hillside setting, upper rooms will have better views and less street noise from Rua Direita or the main thoroughfare.
Which rooms should I avoid at Itamara Motel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near reception or the street; these will catch traffic rumble from Ouro Preto’s narrow, cobbled roads. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft or any internal staircase.
Is Itamara Motel noisy?
Ouro Preto is built on steep terrain, so street noise bounces off the hills. Cobblestones amplify vehicle and foot noise early mornings and late evenings, especially on weekends when tour buses and partygoers pass.
Which rooms have the best views at Itamara Motel?
Ask for a room facing the hills or the historic centre – Ouro Preto’s slopes mean rear-facing rooms can catch a valley vista or church spires. Street-facing rooms just get traffic and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Itamara Motel?
1) Book direct or phone ahead to request a high floor room farthest from the street – staff at 3-star motels often oblige off-the-books. 2) If driving, ask about off-street parking availability at check-in; the hilltop town has very tight on-street spots.
What time is check-in at Itamara Motel?
Check-in at Itamara Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Itamara Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi available in common areas and rooms; speed sufficient for messaging and web browsing, not for video streaming. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Itamara Motel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Itamara Motel?
A prato feito (set meal of rice, beans, meat, salad) at a simple restaurant: around R$15-25.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Itamara Motel?
Local buses (ônibus) cost around R$4.50 per ride; the cheapest way from the airport is the bus into town (about R$6).
When is the best time to visit Ouro Preto?
April, May and September. Autumn and early spring give clear skies, temperatures around 18-24°C, and far fewer visitors than July or December. You can photograph the churches and walk the hills without fighting through crowds.
Top Attractions in Ouro Preto
💡 Head upstairs to see the restored vault and the tiny chapel. It's clean, quiet, and free, so a good refuge from rain. You can be in and out in 20 minutes.
💡 Come early morning (before 8am) when the square is empty and the light is good for photos. Vendors sell cheap snacks like pastéis de feira for R$5 nearby.
💡 Go on a Sunday to save the entry fee. The courtyard and colonial prison cells are the best bits — you can skip the upstairs paintings if time is short.
💡 Visit late afternoon — the sunlight hits the stonework and you avoid tour groups. Skip the guided audio tour; the plaques tell you enough.
💡 Wear trainers and old clothes — you will get muddy. It's steep and tight, so skip it if you're claustrophobic or have mobility issues. The free tour in the courtyard (outside the mine) is also worth a listen.