The city of Ipatinga stands in southeastern Brazil, in the State of Minas Gerais, 13 miles to the east of Belo Horizonte. The local Usiminas Airport is four miles to the east. With a hire car you'll be able to tour this mixed area of countryside and industry. Ipatinga is part of Brazil's 'Steel Valley', or Vale do Aco, which runs along the banks of the Rio Doce and Rio Piracicaba. It's easy to visit the other parts of the valley, like Coronel Fabriciano, with its landmark modern cathedral, or the picturesque Acesita Cultural Centre in Timoteo.
If you hire a car in Ipatinga you'll be able to easily visit all the city's attractions. It's easy to get around with the modern road system here and the city's highlights include the acclaimed Usiminas arts and cultural centre, and the sports facilities and science exhibits in the enormous city centre Ipanema Park, which is one of the largest in Brazil. Look out too for the rocky waterfalls at the Cachoeiras Park, the wavepools and waterslides of Faisao Waterpark and the chance for some serious retail exploration at the popular Vale do Arco regional shopping mall.
