‘What place is this?’: discover the village of Conceição de Ibitipoca, in the municipality of Lima Duarte Recognized for its natural beauty, historical heritage and local culture, Conceição de Ibitipoca, district of Lima Duarte, in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, is among the seven Brazilian destinations competing for the seal of "Best Tourist Villages in the World", an initiative by the United Nations (UN) Tourism Organization. ? Click here to follow the g1 Zona da Mata channel on WhatsApp The Brazilian locations were chosen by the Ministry of Tourism after a national selection with 10 entries. See the chosen ones below: Conceição de Ibitipoca (MG) Araçá, in Porto Belo (SC) Delfinópolis (MG) Holambra (SP) Lençóis (BA) São José do Barreiro (SP) Vila Flores (RS) According to the Ministry of Tourism, recognition is granted to villages that stand out for preserving cultural and natural heritage, for their commitment to sustainability and for promoting the development of local communities. Ibitipoca competes for the seal of best tourist village in the world TV Integration/Reproduction The result will be announced in December, during a UN Tourism event in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this edition, the seven Brazilian destinations compete for recognition with 261 other villages from different countries. How does it work? To participate in the selection, localities must meet criteria such as having up to 15 thousand inhabitants, being located in a landscape marked by traditional activities, such as agriculture, livestock, fishing or forestry, and preserving community values ??and ways of life. Last year, Ibitipoca also competed for the award, but was not among those chosen. 'Best Tourist Villages in the World' The "Best Tourism Villages" initiative is a UN Tourism program that recognizes villages and small rural destinations that use tourism as a tool to preserve cultural and natural heritage, strengthen local communities and promote sustainable development. The seal evaluates criteria such as: preservation of cultural heritage and natural resources; environmental, economic and social sustainability; appreciation of traditions and the local way of life; development of tourism with benefits for the community; infrastructure, security and destination management. In addition to rewarding villages that meet the criteria, the initiative also integrates destinations into an international network to exchange experiences and good practices in sustainable tourism. The program was created by UN Tourism in 2021 and brings together candidates from different countries every year. READ ALSO: Ibitipoca is among the most recommended ecotourism destinations to visit in Brazil in 2026 Ibitipoca State Park brings together trails, waterfalls and landscapes; find out how to visit Conceição de Ibitipoca Conceição do Ibitipoca, district of Lima Duarte, has just over a thousand residents TV Integration/Reproduction With just over 1 thousand residents and known for its combination of nature, history and tranquility, Conceição de Ibitipoca received 99,122 visitors in 2025. The main attraction is Serra do Ibitipoca, recognized as a monument by the State Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage of Minas Gerais (IEPHA-MG). ? Another highlight is the Ibitipoca State Park, one of the most popular destinations in the region. Among the best-known tourist attractions are Janela do Céu, Cruzeiro and Paredão de Santo Antônio. The village still keeps its historical heritage alive through colonial houses, centuries-old churches, such as the Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, in addition to the old farms and traces of the gold mines that marked the formation of the community. Cultural traditions are also part of the district's identity. Religious festivals, such as Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Santo Antônio, bring together residents and visitors every year. Country music is also preserved, with weekly meetings of guitar players and accordion players at Casa Roça. Nossa Senhora da Conceição Parish, in Ibitipoca TV Integration/Reproduction VIDEOS: see everything about Zona da Mata and Campos das Vertentes c