Discover Guapé through Furnas Lake and the history of the old town. The lake, also known as Mar de Minas, is the heart of the city. It was created by the reservoir of the Furnas Hydroelectric Power Plant, inaugurated in 1963, and is Brazil’s third-largest artificial lake. Its waters extend across Guapé; sandy beaches emerge during dry seasons, while more than 60 islands dot the horizon.

Water Activities on Furnas Lake

Sport fishing and speedboat rides are available on Furnas Lake. These offer different ways to experience the lake: sport fishing focuses on fishing, while a speedboat ride is about traveling across the water. If you’re planning one of these activities, consider whether you’d rather fish or explore the lake by boat.

Museums and the History of Old Guapé

The Bangalô is one of the few surviving buildings from old Guapé. Today, it houses a museum that tells this story. In central Guapé, the Casarão Museu de Guapé preserves furniture, photographs, and everyday objects from the time before the reservoir. Visitor information for the Casarão is currently being updated; check the latest details before visiting.

The two places offer different perspectives: at the Bangalô, the surviving building itself is part of the story, while at the Casarão, the collection of furniture, images, and objects illustrates everyday life before the reservoir. This offers a way to learn about Guapé’s past through both a building from the old town and objects from that era.

Cultural Heritage and Celebrations

Guapé’s vibrant culture also offers different points of interest. The Guarda de Moçambique is officially listed as part of Guapé’s intangible cultural heritage. The Congado brings together more than 400 participants, including men, women, and children; this number may change over time. The Congo e Moçambique celebration takes place at Igreja Matriz N. Sra. do Rosário in central Guapé.

Waterfall and Practical Information

In the rural surroundings of Guapé, Cachoeira do Paredão forms a pool surrounded by imposing rock walls. Reaching it requires an easy-to-moderate hike with some steeper sections. Trail conditions can change, so check them before your trip. This makes the waterfall a different kind of outing from activities directly on Furnas Lake: here, the hike and the surrounding rocky landscape are part of the visit.

The public ferry, Travessia de Balsa, provides a crossing over the lake. It connects Guapé with municipalities on the opposite side of Furnas Lake. If you plan to take the ferry, check the latest departure times in advance.

Find Hotels in Guapé Based on Your Travel Interests

When searching for hotels in Guapé, you can first consider what you’d like your trip to focus on: activities on the lake, the history of the old town, cultural heritage, or an outing to Cachoeira do Paredão.

Discover more destinations: Itacarambi, Santana de Pirapama, São Roque De Minas, Olhos-D'água, Paracatu, Abre Campo, Paraopeba, Natércia

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.