Monte Alegre do Sul, a hidden gem in the mountains

This was my second time visiting the town of Monte Alegre do Sul, a tiny little town with around 8,000 inhabitants, located in the same region where I live, about an hour away from my city. I had been there once about six years ago and was struck by its beauty, but for some reason, I hadn’t gone back until now.

Although this second visit was very short, just a quick stop on the way back home after spending the day exploring trails and dirt roads in the rural areas around here, and also exploring the city center of Serra Negra, a neighboring town, it felt truly magical. A brief visit, but long enough to leave me completely in love with the heart of the town: its river, its old colorful buildings, beautifully preserved and filled with history.

I didn’t have my phone charged, and I didn’t bring my camera either, so I ended up using my boyfriend’s phone to capture some of those beautiful façades. I’m still not very used to shooting with a camera that’s not mine, but honestly, I think the photos turned out pretty well and they do a good job of showing what I saw in that place.

Monte Alegre is an extremely charming, warm, and welcoming town. The streets are still paved with cobblestones, and the town is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush green mountains and well-preserved forests. The views are beautiful no matter where you look, and every house there — besides being beautiful, as you can see in the photos — has stunning views of the abundant nature that surrounds the area.

The town is also recognized as a spa tourism destination, known for its thermal waters. It’s also famous as the national capital of água ardente — or, as it's more commonly known in Brazil, cachaça, a traditional Brazilian spirit.

I’m already looking forward to going back to Monte Alegre do Sul, this time with more time to explore every little corner of the town at a slower pace. I’m also planning to do some bike trails around the area. Hopefully, I’ll have new photos and stories to share from this beautiful place soon. Until next time.

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