Minas Gerais, Brazil · South America
Caratinga sits on the route: 15 minutes from Piedade de Caratinga.
Caratinga is a town located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. With a population of 87,360, it is an important destination in South America.
On a road trip, Caratinga sits in Brazil, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Sao Paulo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Caratinga to your route.
Caratinga is a Brazilian municipality located in the countryside of the state of Minas Gerais in the Southeast Region of Brazil. Situated in the Vale do Rio Doce, it is part of the Vale do Aço metropolitan area, approximately 310 kilometres (190 mi) east of the state capital, Belo Horizonte. The municipality covers anRead more
area of 1,258.479 square kilometres (485.901 sq mi), with 17 square kilometres (6.6 sq mi) in the urban area, and its population was estimated at 90,687 inhabitants in 2024.
The exploration of the region began in the 16th century with expeditions along the Doce and Caratinga rivers in search of precious metals. However, the area was first settled in the 19th century when Domingos Fernandes Lana explored it for ipecac, a valuable medicinal plant, and reported on the fertile lands and peaceful indigenous population. Subsequently, João Caetano do Nascimento, a friend of Lana, led an expedition to the region, claimed the land, and dedicated it to Saint John, officially founding the settlement on 24 June 1848, in honor of the saint's feast day.
Favorable agricultural conditions and its strategic location as the only urban center on the right bank of the Caratinga River spurred population growth, leading to emancipation from Manhuaçu in 1890. Despite unplanned urban expansion, development accelerated with the arrival of the Leopoldina Railway and the BR-116 (Rio–Bahia Highway) in the 1930s and 1940s. The coffee industry flourished in the 1950s following the establishment of an office of the Brazilian Coffee Institute, positioning Caratinga as a coffee production hub. Coffee cultivation, alongside commerce, remains a primary source of income, though industry has grown since the 1980s. A new urban nucleus also emerged parallel to the original city center due to the expansion of the Vale do Aço metropolitan area.
Caratinga is home to significant environmental conservation areas, including the Feliciano Miguel Abdala Private Natural Heritage Reserve, one of Minas Gerais' most important Atlantic Forest remnants, which shelters the northern muriqui, one of the largest primates in the Americas. The reserve attracts researchers from around the world. Other notable landmarks include the Pedra Itaúna, historic farms, waterfalls, and lagoons in the rural areas, and the scenic Cesário Alvim Square, which includes the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, built in 1930. Cultural traditions such as the Folia de Reis, artistic festivals, and June festivals are also prominent.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Caratinga.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Caratinga.
Caratinga offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Caratinga with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Caratinga as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Caratinga is located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, South America. The coordinates are -19.7897 latitude, -42.1392 longitude.
Caratinga has a population of approximately 87,360 people, making it a town in Brazil.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Caratinga as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Caratinga. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Caratinga.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning