Juiz de Fora

Juiz de Fora is a city in Southern Minas Gerais, close to the state border with Rio de Janeiro. According to the 2006 estimate the population was 509,125 inhabitants. The area of the municipality is 1,437 km².

The location is strategic for economic growth, between the three most important centers of southeast Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (189 km), Belo Horizonte (260 km) and São Paulo (486 km). Major highways connect Juiz de Fora with these three metropolitan areas, the most important being the BR 040, which connects Brasília with Rio de Janeiro, passing through Belo Horizonte.

Often referred to only as "JF", this traditional city is located in the deep Paraibuna river valley, a major tributary of the Paraíba do Sul, in the Paraíba do Sul basin, between the Órgãos and Mantiqueira ranges.

Juiz de Fora is a gay friendly city, homophobia is punished by law since 2000.

By bus
Juiz de Fora is on the way between Belo Horizonte (4.5 hours) and Rio de Janeiro (3 hours). São Paulo is approximately 8 hours away. The city is also a regional bus hub and has frequent links to nearby cities.

From Belo Horizonte Buser offers the ride for R$60 (Dec 2021), Atual goes for R$104 (Dec 2021).

From Petrópolis Única Facil lets you join the trip for R$42 (Dec 2021).

Buses arrive at the main bus station (rodoviária) at Av. Brasil, 9501. (32) 3215-7696. The bus terminal is connected to the downtown area by taxis and frequent regular buses that drop passengers near the very central corner of Av. Getulio Vargas and Av. Rio Branco.

Get around
The city center is compact and can be crossed on foot. For longer distances, the bus system is quite effective, with frequent and clean buses. Most lines converge to the central Rio Branco Avenue. Tickets cost R$ 3,10.

Taxis are also widely available and not expensive for larger city standards.
 * Albatroz Rádio Táxi - Phone: +55 32 3215-4400 / 3215-5418
 * Tele Táxi - Phone: +55 32 3215-4410 / 3217-7102

See

 * Morro do Imperador
 * Morro do Imperador
 * Morro do Imperador

Events

 *  Festival Internacional de Música Colonial Brasileira e Música Antiga - International Festival of Colonial Brazilian Music and Antique Music (July)
 * Miss Brasil Gay  - The biggest event in the city. Self-explanatory (August).
 * Rainbow Fest  - Several events (parties, debates and a parade) targeting the LGBT community. In the same week of Miss Brasil Gay (August).
 * Goa Trance  - Rave in outskirts of city (November)
 * Celebra Open Air  - Electronic music festival with some foreign attractions (March)
 * Primeiro Plano - Independent movie festival (November)

Budget

 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.
 * Pastelaria Mexicana - Installed on a truck between Independência and Rio Branco Av. Classic street food.

Mid-range

 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060
 * Churrascaria Estrela Grill, Ladeira Alexandre Leonel, 180 - Cascatinha. Phone: +55 32 3217-1146 / 3232-9060

Splurge

 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450
 * Giramondo Pizzeria - Rua Tenente Paulo Maria Delage 386 - Borboleta - "32" 3218-1450

Stay safe
Juiz de Fora is considered a safe city for Brazilian standards. Just take the common sense precautions and you will be fine.


 * Police : 190
 * Emergency (paramedics/firefighters) : 193

Go next

 * Ibitipoca
 * Tiradentes
 * Petrópolis
 * Rio de Janeiro
 * Ouro Preto