The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas is located just 90 minutes south of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais.  The dusty town of Congonhas has absolutely nothing else of tourist value so this site is best visited as a side trip from Belo Horizonte or Ouro Preto.  The roads in this area are excellent thanks to all the iron ore mine trucks and rental cars are super cheap so I recommend a self-drive and doing the 4 World Heritage sites of Minas Gerais beginning in Belo Horizonte. Parking is sometimes a challenge here but try to park directly behind the Sanctuary.  Fortunately, the site is well marked once you get to Congonhas.    

I have nothing to add to the other site reports however if you smile and mumble a few words of Portuguese, the workers will usually let you slip into the Sanctuary although it is mostly covered in plastic.  Otherwise, enjoy the amazing soapstone statues of The Prophets that would be right at home in any European Basilica and take time to visit the little chapels with lifelike, full size carvings of scenes form the passion of Christ.