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South America > Brazil > Southeast (Brazil) > São Paulo (state) > Grande São Paulo > São Paulo

São Paulo

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São Paulo - Downtown and Paulista region.

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, with a municipality population of 12.1 million, and about 21.3 million in its metropolitan region - the second most populous of the Southern Hemisphere. It is the capital of the Southeastern state of São Paulo, and also a beehive of activity that offers a jovial nightlife and an intense cultural experience. São Paulo is South America's major economic center and possesses the 10th largest GDP in the world, though poverty, especially in the suburbs, is still widespread due to the blatant social inequality. Historically attractive to immigrants and to Brazilians from other states, it has a unique cultural identity formed by combining Portuguese and African roots (common to the entire country) with other influences, in particular Italian, Arab and Japanese.

São Paulo, or Sampa as it is also often called, is also probably one of the most underrated cities tourism-wise, often overshadowed by other places in the Brazilian sun & beach circuit such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. It is in fact a great city to explore, with an impressive (and almost intimidating) skyline, unpredictable neighbourhoods and architecture, a vibrant culture and arts (in particular street art) scene, not to mention the world-class restaurants and diverse regional and international cuisine available to all tastes. If there is a major attraction to this city, it is the excellent quality of its restaurants and the variety of cultural activities on display.

Just south of the city, lies the Parque Estadual Serra do Mar (part of the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a mountain range covered by lush rainforest that faces the coast and provides various ecotourism options.


The birthplace and administrative center of the city, containing most of the city's historical heritage and showcasing the overwhelming variety of the city's architecture. It is certainly intimidatingly run-down at many places, but has an unmatched variety of cultural attractions.
  Avenida Paulista
The Avenida Paulista, considered by many as the city's main landmark, is between the Center, West, and South-Central regions. It is one of the city's main business centres as well as one of the main cultural and entertainment areas.
Home to the government of the state of São Paulo and of the city's major business districts, it is probably the most vibrant area of the city for business, science, gastronomy, nightlife and upmarket shopping, but contains excellent cultural attractions as well.
  South Central
A wealthy, residential area of the city that contains the IParque do Ibirapuera, one of the most important recreational and cultural areas of São Paulo, as well as vibrant neighbourhoods such as Vila Mariana and Moema
A former area of immigrant housing that has become increasingly more affluent. Contains some of the city's major attractions such as the Museu do Ipiranga, the São Paulo Zoo and Botanic Gardens, and the Museu da Imigração
The Northeast is São Paulo's "event arena", where the annual Carnival and many other large scale events take place. Part of the magnificent Parque da Cantareira is also here.
  Far South
The largest region of São Paulo is still largely covered by forest, farms and water, and can offer unique experiences to a visitor such as the Solo Sagrado and tours to Native Brazilian villages
  Far East
São Paulo's City of Workers, a mainly suburban and lower class area, that contains however two of the city's most beautiful parks
Another suburban area that contains Parque Estadual do Jaraguá, where the highest point of the city is located.
Avenida Paulista.


São Paulo is the most visited city of Brazil, but mostly because of business and event tourism, with many of the visitors not taking much effort to explore the city. Those who do so may, however, discover one of the most complex and fascinating cities of the world, where even nearby areas may look and feel like a different city, due to São Paulo's staggering social inequality and variety of cultural influences, and its lack of comprehensive urban planning.

For instance, if you walk from one end to another of Rua Augusta (which later becomes Rua Colômbia and Avenida Europa), starting from Downtown, you will pass through:

  • One of the city's hottest nightlife areas in Baixa Augusta
  • A vibrant cultural and business area surrounding Avenida Paulista
  • A variety of shopping options in the area surrounding Rua Oscar Freire
  • The green, affluent low-rise neighbourhood of Jardim América
  • A stream of expensive car shops in Jardim Europa
  • The modern business district in Av. Faria Lima and the ultra-affluent neighbourhood of Itaim

Although the first impression might be that of a grey concrete jungle, soon it becomes apparent that the city has a great number of pockets of beauty, and fantastic places (and not always expensive) to dine, drink and hang out.


Patio do Colegio, the place where São Paulo was founded
"São Bento" Monastery

Native American Chief Tibiriçá and the Jesuit priests José de Anchieta and Manuel de Nóbrega founded the village of São Paulo de Piratininga on 25 January 1554—Feast of the Conversion of Paul the Apostle. Along with their entourage, the priests established a mission named Colégio de São Paulo de Piratininga aimed at converting the Tupi-Guarani native Brazilians to the Catholic religion. São Paulo's first church was constructed in 1616, and it was located where today is the Páteo do Colégio (metrô: Sé or São Bento station).


However, due to competition with many other Brazilian cities, which sometimes offer tax advantages for companies to build manufacturing plants in situ, São Paulo's main economic activities have gradually left its industrial profile in favour of the services industry over the late 20th century. The city is nowadays home to a large number of local and international banking offices, law firms, multinational companies, advertising firms and consumer services.




Don't be surprised at the diversity of Paulistanos. For example, São Paulo is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. It is not uncommon to see businesses and churches being conducted by Chinese and Korean-Brazilians in Liberdade, which began as an Italian district, became Japanese, and now is heavily populated by Koreans and Chinese. The city's Italian influence is also very strong, with about 6 million people in the metropolitan area having Italian background. The large Arab and Jewish communities are also well represented in all levels of society, from art to real estate businesses, and notably in politics.

The citizens of São Paulo have a reputation as hard-working and industrious or shallow money-grubbers. It is common to hear that the people in São Paulo work while the rest of Brazil relaxes; even though many say this, it is plainly wrong. It is a fact, nonetheless, that the city of São Paulo alone actually contributes 15 percent of the country's gross national product (45 percent if the entire São Paulo state is taken into account).



Street numbers of São Paulo begin counting from the direction of Marco Zero, in front of the cathedral da Sé.

São Paulo's basic spot for orientation should be Avenida Paulista. From there, it's pretty easy to reach every single spot in town, be it by bus or underground transport. It lies between the neighborhoods of Bela Vista and Jardim Paulista. Av. Paulista is also within walking distance to Centro and Ibirapuera Park, which makes it the perfect place to start a walking tour.




  • Expanded Center: Grey (Expanded Center means the area limited by the Tietê river on the North, the Pinheiros river on the West, Avenida dos Bandeirantes on the South and Avenida Salim Farah Maluf on the East)
  • Northwest: Light Green
  • North: Dark Blue
  • Northeast: Yellow
  • East: Red
  • Southeast: Dark Green
  • South: Light Blue
  • Southwest: Purple
  • West: Orange



São Paulo
Climate chart (explanation)
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

The city of São Paulo has a highly variable humid subtropical climate, where winters are usually relatively dry and mild and summers are hot and humid. There is a popular local saying that "in Sao Paulo, you can enjoy all four seasons in one day." The city's climate is influenced by its location on a plateau of 760 meters (2493 ft) high, which makes the city colder than other cities located at this latitude, and due to the winds from the ocean, which make the air humid and bring frequent rains. For this reason, São Paulo is considered one of the wettest capitals in Brazil.

Rainfall is heavy in Sao Paulo during the summer, causing flooding in some parts of the city and some rivers overflowing at that time. January is the wettest month, with an average of 237 mm (9.3 inches) of rainfall. The driest month is August, with an average of 40 mm (1.6 inches) of rainfall. The average annual rainfall is 1400 mm (55.1 inches). The city receives 1800 hours of sunshine a year.

Due to the city's altitude, temperatures are not usually very hot. In February, the hottest month, temperatures are between average highs of 28º C (82º F) and average lows of 19º C (66º F). In winter, temperatures are average minimums of 12º C (53º F) and average highs of 22º C (71º F) in July. However, due to the high concentration of buildings, it may seem warmer in some regions of the city.

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

São Paulo (SAO IATA) has three major airports: Guarulhos International (GRU IATA) and Viracopos (VCP IATA) for international and some domestic arrivals, and Congonhas (CGH IATA) for most medium and short haul domestic flights.

Guarulhos International Airport[edit]

Airport Bus Service in Guarulhos International Airport
See also: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport
  • 1 São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU IATA) (Located 40 km (25 mi) from the city centre in Guarulhos), +55 11 2445-2945. If flying into São Paulo from abroad, you'll mostly likely land at Guarulhos International Airport, also known as Cumbica. The airport has three terminals that are served by Brazilian airlines LATAM, Gol and by international United, Delta, American, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Avianca, TAP, Iberia, Alitalia, KLM, JAL, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air (via Los Angeles International Airport), South African and many others. São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (Q385406) on Wikidata São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport on Wikipedia

Non-airline shuttle buses are available from Guarulhos to Congonhas Airport (CGH IATA), Praça da República (Downtown), Paulista/Jardins region, Barra Funda bus station and Tietê bus station (fastest access to the subway). All lines except Congonhas connect to the Metrô. R$42 one-way. Line 257 is a regular urban bus, which goes every 15-20 min to and from Tatuapé Metro station (line 3, red). The ride takes about 35 min and costs R$6.15 (Feb 2018), paid as you board. The bus driver provides change. Exit on the arrivals level at any terminal and follow the signs for the bus. The bus starts at Terminal 2 before heading to Terminal 3 and then 1, and it's recommended to board at Terminal 2 during peak times. Less comfy than the shuttles, but can prove faster way to Paulista (and elsewhere) on days with dense traffic, as it goes for the closest Metro station. While the bus has baggage racks, be aware that you might be denied access with luggage that won't fit on your lap.

LATAM, Gol and Azul, the three main Brazilian airlines, offer free shuttle buses for their passengers with flights to/from Guarulhos International Airport and Congonhas Domestic Airport. Check the schedules for LATAM and Gol. If you're on a budget trip and have enough time, you can ride those buses to Congonhas airport (you must show your boarding pass or printed reservation to the bus driver) and then get a taxi to your destination. It will be much cheaper than getting a taxi directly from Guarulhos airport. The trip between those airports takes between 1 and 1½ hours. No reservation is required.


Congonhas Airport[edit]

Aerial view from "Congonhas" Airport area
  • 2 [dead link] São Paulo–Congonhas Airport (CGH IATA) (is in a very central region, 15 km (9.3 mi) from downtown). This airport handles most of the domestic flights, including the São Paulo - Rio (Santos Dumont) hop, nicknamed Ponte Aérea. As it was built in the 1930s, its simple but glamorous architecture is worth seeing. Congonhas-São Paulo Airport (Q862401) on Wikidata São Paulo–Congonhas Airport on Wikipedia

The easiest (and cheapest) way to get to Congonhas is by taking any of the "Aeroporto" regular line buses that run along Avenida Paulista. After some 40-60 min in modest traffic you'll be dropped right in front of the airport and the fare is the regular R$4 (Bilhete Único accepted). It is mostly faster to take the metro to the São Judas subway station, and then the bus from there (10 min). Take bus number 609J/10 just outside of São Judas station to the airport and when getting off at the airport you walk just outside and look for the 607J bus stop.

Cab drives from downtown or Paulista should be used after checking how is the out of control São Paulo traffic. Check the CET website (only in Portuguese), which is the traffic administration department of the city.

Viracopos International[edit]

Viracopos International (CPQ or VCP) is in Campinas, 99 km (62 mi) from downtown São Paulo. It is sometimes used when weather conditions prevent landing in Cumbica. Brazilian airline Azul has its hub here and they offer free bus transport to São Paulo for their passengers, it might be convenient depending on your exact location. TAP flies to Lisbon three times a week from here.

By bus[edit]

"Tietê" bus terminal


  • [dead link] Terminal Rodoviário do Tietê, Av. Cruzeiro do Sul 1.800, Santana (Tietê metro station, Blue line), +55 11 3235-0322 (reachable from 6AM-11:30PM). Tietê bus terminal is the second largest terminal in the world, hence an enormous building, but there is an information desk in the middle of the main lobby. Buses leave São Paulo for destinations throughout Brazil and for international destinations including Asunción in Paraguay (20 hr), Buenos Aires in Argentina (36 hr), Montevideo in Uruguay (30 hr), Santiago in Chile (56 hr), and Lima in Peru (108 hr). A taxi ride from Paulista/Jardins costs around R$40. Guarulhos International Airport shuttles also depart and arrive from this terminal.
  • [dead link] Terminal Rodoviário da Barra Funda, Av. Auro Soares de Moura Andrade 664, Barra Funda district, Expanded Center (Barra Funda metro station, Red Line), +55 11 3392-1878. It's west of São Paulo's downtown, and carries departures and arrivals to and from western cities in the São Paulo state, to Mato Grosso, Foz do Iguaçu (15 hr, R$230-260, around 13/19:00) and west Paraná cities. About 30 min from Paulista Ave by Metrô. You can also reach it by boarding the "Barra Funda" (875P) bus in Paulista Ave. Guarulhos International Airport shuttles also depart and arrive from this terminal.
  • [dead link] Terminal Rodoviário de Jabaquara, R. dos Jequitibás s/n, Jabaquara district, South Side (Jabaquara metro station, Blue Line), +55 11 3235-0322. The Jabaquara Terminal serves cities in São Paulo state's south coast such as Guarujá, Santos and Bertioga. It is 30 minutes away by Metrô from downtown. There is a baggage storage (Guarda Volumes) in the Jabaquara Metro, R$6 for 24 hours.

An inexpensive alternative (R$130) for bus travel between Foz do Iguaçu and São Paulo are freight bus companies that handle freight of merchants buying in Paraguay and bus travel at the same time. See the Foz do Iguaçu article for more details. From São Paulo, call ahead to find out from where they start. The companies are the following:

By train[edit]

Besides the extensive commuter rail system, there are no passenger trains of any kind into São Paulo. A proposal to relieve the extremely busy São Paulo - Río de Janeiro air route through a high-speed rail link has been canceled due to financial reasons.

Get around[edit]

Transport in São Paulo can be anything from complicated to hellish. Peak hours are normally roughly 6AM-9AM and 4PM-8PM, but since city roads are constantly at maximum capacity, any little incident can cause major queues and delays. The cheapest way for tourists to get around is to use the subway/metro, trains and trolleybuses as much as possible, and then take a taxi for shorter distances. Even these means of transport can be uncomfortably crowded during peaks, and only a very limited carry-on is recommended. You can check the SPTrans website, which is the city's transport administration department. There you can get itineraries using all the city's public transportation options.

Bilhete Único[edit]


  • On buses: upon boarding a bus, you'll be charged R$4.00 and can board up to three other buses in a three-hour period without being charged a second time.
  • First Metro/CPTM train then bus: you'll be charged R$4.00 when passing by a Metro or CPTM station's turnstile. Once you board a bus, you'll be charged an extra R$2.96 and will be able to board two other buses in a two-hour period - starting from the first validation at the train station - without any further payment.
  • First bus then Metro/CPTM train: once you board a bus, R$4 is charged from your card. Upon entering the Metro or CPTM systems, you'll be charged a further R$2.96. It's possible, after leaving the Metro or CPTM system, to board up to two other buses without any further payment in the two-hour period that starts from the first validation, depending on whether you boarded one or two buses before entering a train.

The discounts do not typically apply to intermunicipal buses (usually in blue and operated by the EMTU company), although there are some exceptions.

By metrô and train[edit]

"Luz" train and metro station, Historic Center.


Lines 1-5 and 9 are probably most useful for tourists.

The metro lines are operated by ViaQuatro (Line 4) or Metrô (all other lines):

  • Line 1 (Blue): Runs north-south through the Historical Center. Also serves Tietê and Jabaquara bus terminals.
  • Line 2 (Green): Runs west-east through Avenida Paulista.
  • Line 3 (Red): Runs west-east (north of Line 2) through the Historical Center. The Barra Funda bus terminal is on the west end of this line.
  • Line 4 (Yellow): Connects the Historical Center to the West (mostly south of Line 2), passing through the western portion of Avenida Paulista. An extension is under construction.
  • Line 5 (Lilac): Connects the southwest regions (including Capão Redondo and Santo Amaro) to Lines 1, 2, and 9.
  • Line 15 (Silver): A rapid transit monorail line, runs in the eastern suburbs.

In addition to the metro, there are a number of suburban trains operated by CPTM:

  • Line 7 (Ruby): Serves the northwest suburbs, ending at Luz station downtown.
  • Line 8 (Diamond): Serves the west suburbs, ending at Júlio Prestes station downtown.
  • Line 9 (Emerald): Runs north-south (west of Line 1), crossing the entire West. Does not enter the city center.
  • Line 10 (Turquoise): Serves the southeast suburbs, ending at Bras station downtown.
  • Line 11 (Coral): Serves the eastern suburbs (parallel to Line 3). Ends at Luz station downtown.
  • Line 12 (Sapphire): Serves the eastern suburbs, ending at Bras station downtown.
  • Line 13 (Jade): Connects Guarulhos Airport to Line 12, which you can then take to downtown.

Surface trains can also be used to reach a number of other cities in the metropolitan area of São Paulo and even beyond. The fee is the same, making some of these trips incredibly cheap depending on where you want to go.

Fare and hours of operation[edit]

Historic building of "Julio Prestes" train station and "Sala São Paulo" concert hall, Historic Center.

If you don't have a Bilhete Único smart card (see above), trains use a simple flat-price ticketing scheme - you can get only one-trip tickets, which cost R$4, and allow you to go as far as you wish. Free train transfers appear as white links on the map; paid transfers as black links.


Typical operating hours for trains are Sunday to Friday, from 4:40AM-midnight (or Sa to 1AM) or, depending on the station, up to 12:40AM. Connections on the network operated by Metrô are guaranteed only for boardings before midnight (Sa 1AM), regardless of the station. Check the operating companies' website for more updated information.

Peak hours[edit]





By bus[edit]


Tickets are R$4 one way. You can pay for the ride inside the bus, or use a Bilhete Unico card topped up with credits before boarding. If paying for the ticket on the bus, simply hand over the money to the teller sitting by the turnstile, and he or she will let you pass through. Children under 5 years old are allowed by law to slip under the turnstile for free! If you have the Bilhete Unico card, then a single fare payment allows you to take other buses for free for the next 3 hours after touching in the card. Scan the card in front of the card reader, and the turnstile will be released.


By taxi[edit]


There are two kinds of cabs: cheaper street-hail and radio taxi. White taxis are often found at stands near city squares and big venues. Radio taxis can be ordered by telephone; ask reception at your hotel for help to call a radio cab, or just call a company. Some companies, such as the radio taxi company São Paulo Airport Transfers, now provide an online, fixed price, quote and book service. Taxis in São Paulo are relatively expensive compared to other large cities worldwide and, depending on the neighborhood, there is a risk of being overcharged if you're a foreigner.

By e-hailing[edit]

São Paulo is covered by some e-hailing services, Uber being the largest of them. Notable e-hailing services in the city, are:

  • Uber (covers neighbor cities, like Guarulhos and Osasco as well)
  • Cabify
  • T81 (Brazilian service)
  • Easy (Brazilian service)

By car[edit]

Octavio Frias de oliveira Bridge.

Renting a car in São Paulo is typically neither practical nor cost-effective. The daily rent plus fuel and parking fees typically far exceeds what you would spend with taxis or e-hailing. Even when you can borrow a car for free from a friend or your company, getting around by car is borderline crazy if you're not used to São Paulo. Traffic can be chaotic and parking is a nightmare. It is also not so straightforward to find your way in certain neighbourhoods where streets can get windy. Usually, taxi or e-hailing, or a combination of taxi/e-hailing and public transportation, provides you all the commodity of cars with much less stress, so much that many car owners in São Paulo prefer to leave their cars at home during weekdays. However, if you plan to visit places outside the São Paulo city proper (in the Grande São Paulo or beyond), renting a car might be worthwhile.



Viaduto do Chá & Shopping Light

Parking fees (Zona Azul or "Blue Zone"): The city council charges a parking fee of R$5 for up to two hours parking in several points of the city, the so-called "Zona Azul" areas, so be careful not to be fined for not paying the charge. Parking tickets for Zona Azul can only be obtained digitally, by purchasing credits via the DigiPare, Vaga Inteligente and SP Cartão Azul Digital Android/iOS apps, and filling the car plate number. Credits can also be purchased via several authorised shops, newspaper stands, and snack bars typically located near the Zona Azul parking spots.



See Driving in Brazil for other useful information.

By bicycle[edit]

Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros, offering great views of the city.

Cycleways in São Paulo have been vastly expanded, and the city has about 500 km of bicycle-only paths. A full map of the city's permanent cycling infrastructure can be found in the CET official cycleway map.

One of the most popular cycling routes is the Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros, surrounding the Pinheiros river. It has 21.5 km on the East side of the river (it is considerably shorter on the West side). The cycleway is a bit tricky to access - check the cycleway's official website [dead link] for a listing of access points. The cycleway offers great views of the city, including the city's main business district in Brooklin and Vila Olímpia (see São Paulo/West) but the terrible smell of the Pinheiros river can be hard to cope with.

Despite the growing bicycle infrastructure, São Paulo is hardly one of the easiest places in the world to get around by bike. Many drivers have little respect for cyclists and accidents aren't rare, such that helmets are a must, and extra attention must be taken when making turns or riding outside cycleways. Use bike boxes and dedicated cycling lanes whenever possible. Many cycleways are heavily under-utilised, such that pedestrians rarely pay attention on them when walking, so a cyclist must also watch out for them. Finally, long distance cycleways can lead to dangerous areas of the city; as a rule of thumb, if you won't go to a certain part of the city on foot, don't go with a bicycle! Don't take expensive bicycles to poorer areas of the city or to desolated, sparsely habited areas (like for example the Tietê river cycleway in the east of the city), as you might be assaulted.

For those without much adventure spirit, a leisure-oriented and safe option is the Ciclofaixa de Lazer on Sundays (see #Do section), where several of the city's main roads are open for cycling.


  • In the metro (Metrô/Via Quatro): Monday-Friday starting from 8:30PM, Saturday starting from 2PM, Sundays and holidays the whole day
  • In surface trains (CPTM): Saturday starting from 2PM, Sundays and holidays the whole day


Since May 2012, a scheme called Bike Sampa, a partnership between the city hall and Itaú Bank, inspired by a similar initiative in Rio de Janeiro, allows anyone with a credit card to borrow a bike for free from one of the standing rails for up to 1 hour. Each additional hour costs R$5. It's possible to wait 15 minutes after returning a bike to get another hour for free. Since it's possible to return the bikes in different stations, people can move around the city for free. Nevertheless, the rental price is very fair. Users must first register their credit card on the Mobilicidade website via a mobile app.

On foot[edit]

Walking is certainly the best way of exploring and feeling the urban life of São Paulo. The Historic Center area and Avenida Paulista are definitely places to be explored on foot, but there are many others such as Jardins and Vila Madalena. Check the individual district listings for other nice walks.

Compared to other metropolises in emerging countries, São Paulo is actually not the hardest place to walk. Pedestrian paths are plenty (although sometimes poorly maintained) as are zebra crossings with semaphores. Zebra crossings without semaphores are completely ignored by drivers. Despite the reasonably good pedestrian infrastructure, care is advised whenever crossing the streets; watch out for cars that may come unexpectedly, even if the pedestrian lights are green. Do not try to cross large roads with a high volumes of car traffic: usually there will be a pedestrian viaduct or bridge at some point in the sidewalk.


As in the rest of Brazil, most Paulistanos are effectively monolingual Portuguese speakers, although a number of well-educated people will have some command of English, especially in main business areas like Avenida Paulista, Faria Lima and Berrini. English is generally spoken at main hotels, youth hostels, upmarket bars and restaurants and tourism-related businesses, although a menu in English is a rare find.

Most Italians, Japanese and Arab descendants are not able to fluently speak the language of the country where their ancestors came from, with the exception being generally the older generation. Many younger Japanese-Brazilians can speak or understand some Japanese but are unable to read or write it. More recent immigrants like Koreans and Chinese are more likely to speak their language of origin.


Avenida Paulista[edit]

Main article: São Paulo/Paulista


The avenue and its surroundings, such as Rua Augusta, Alameda Santos and Rua Oscar Freire, contain numerous shop galleries, art galleries, theatres, movie theaters, pubs, hotel, coffee shops, bookstores, and gourmet restaurants. Gay nightlife is intense on Consolacao and Haddock Lobo Streets.

Historic center[edit]

The "Pinacoteca" Museum.
Main article: São Paulo/Downtown


Rio Pinheiros river area[edit]

Main article: São Paulo/West

The Pinheiros river crosses the West of São Paulo in North-South direction, and although heavily polluted, the neighbourhoods surrounding the river are among the most beautiful and interesting areas of the city. The East shore is filled with skyscrapers that compose the business centers of Faria Lima, Brooklin Novo and Vila Olímpia, and contains the longest cycleway of the city, as well as one of the most vibrant nightlife areas. The West shore is home to University of São Paulo and exhibits a stereotypical portrait of São Paulo's social inequality, contrasting luxurious apartments and mansions with low class suburbs and favelas. In the middle of the river, stands the magnificent Ponte Octavio Frias, more known as Ponte Estaiada. The Line 9-Emerald train line runs alongside the river, making all spots quite easy to reach.


Ibirapuera Park.

Although São Paulo is commonly associated with gray, concrete, and lack of green space, the Atlantic rainforest still covers large portions of the city and even of the municipality. These green areas are constantly under threat by irregular occupation, so the government has turned many of them into public parks in order to better protect them.

Parks in the city can be divided into three types:

  • Leisure parks are those with plenty of recreational, sport and cultural facilities, but do not contain considerable amounts of original vegetation. Parque Ibirapuera (see São Paulo/South Central) is certainly the most famous park of this type in the city, hosting various museums, monuments, and cultural activities. There are also plenty of activities for tourist with guided tours for birdwatch, tree's identification and a general and popular one Discovering the Ibirapuera Park, all managed by Parque Ibirpauera Conservação;
  • Ecotourism parks are those which are mostly covered by the Atlantic rainforest and other natural ecosystems, and contain limited recreational facilities. They are suited for those seeking an adventure. These include Parque Estadual da Cantareira (see São Paulo/Northeast and Guarulhos), APA Capivari-Monos (see São Paulo/Far South) and Parque Estadual do Jaraguá (see São Paulo/Northwest).


Museums and cultural centers[edit]

As the art center of the country, São Paulo offers many museums and cultural centers.

Two museums to not be missed, due to their size, architecture, and historical importance, are Museu do Ipiranga (Southeast) (closed as of May 2019) and Memorial da América Latina (West).



Museum do Ipiranga (Museu Paulista da USP).

Panoramic views[edit]


  • Banespa Tower, Rua João Brícola, 24, Centro. São Bento Metrô station, +55 11 3249-7180. M-F 10AM-5PM. The observation deck is on the 34th floor, 160 m above ground. For many decades, it used to be the highest building in town. There is a small museum on the top of the building. Make sure and bring ID (passport) because it is required for entrance. Free.
  • São Paulo Jockey Club, Av. Lineu de Paula Machado, 1263. There are two bars and a couple of posh restaurants with a great view of the River Pinheiros, especially around 6PM, when you can go straight from work or a busy day walking about to watch the sun set above town. Free.


Theaters and concert halls[edit]

Theatro Municipal de São Paulo.


Ciclofaixa de Lazer[edit]

The Ciclofaixa de Lazer (Leisure Cycling Lane) comprises dozens of kilometers of interconnected cycling lanes, in the central, south and west areas of the city, that are available on Sundays and some holidays, between 7AM-4PM. It interconnects most places of interest of the city - Downtown, Avenida Paulista, Parque do Ibirapuera, University of São Paulo, the Pinheiros river business centers and the Guarapiranga reservoir, although certainly not using the shortest paths. Bicycle borrowing and renting is available at Parque das Bicicletas (in Parque do Ibirapuera) and at Praça do Ciclista (at Avenida Paulista), but try to get a bicycle in advance if possible.

Since the cycling route is family-oriented, signaling and safety standards are high. The route is stricly intended for recreational, not sportive cycling, so set your speed accordingly in the presence of other cyclists. A full map of the route, as well as other useful information, are available here.

Fun for the family[edit]


Watch football[edit]


Football (soccer) is an inherent part of Brazilian culture, and São Paulo is no exception, being home of four football teams that generally run in the 1st division: Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Portuguesa. The five large football stadiums in the city are Morumbi, Allianz Parque (see São Paulo/West), Pacaembu (see São Paulo/Historic Center), Arena Corinthians (also popularly known as "Itaquerão") and Canindé (see São Paulo/Southeast). A word of warning, however: although most matches are safe and fun events, games between the biggest local rivals (Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and, to a smaller extent, Santos) have had episodes of violence flaring up (in the majority of cases, such incidents happen outside of the stadium), due to a number of violent fans (ultras). Going to such games can be a risky proposition. Portuguese games are safe, have few supporters, and are very peaceful and curious (meets the Portuguese community in the city).

City tours[edit]

  • São Paulo Historical City Tour is a panoramic tour for those keen to have an introduction to the history, culture, and the lifestyle of the biggest city in the Southern Hemisphere. The city tour takes about 3 hours, during which the visitor will pass by places in São Paulo's Old Centre and get familiar with attractions such as the Cathedral of Sé, Pátio do Colégio (short stop at the square, the site where the city was founded), Monastery of São Bento, the Banespa Building (São Paulo’s answer to the Empire State Building), the Martinelli Building (the first skyscraper in South America), Viaduto do Chá (Tea Viaduct), the Municipal Theater, Sala São Paulo concert hall, Estaçao da Luz train station and the Municipal Market.
  • TurisMetrô. Offer a variety of city tours every weekend. These are mostly walking tours but with some use of the metro. The tour is free of charge, but you will need to take some cash with you to buy metro tickets during the tour as necessary. The tours start at the TurisMetrô desk in Sé metro station at 9AM and 2PM on Saturdays and Sundays; you will need to arrive half an hour earlier to sign up. The desk is inside the ticket turnstiles, so if you arrive by metro don't exit the station past the turnstiles while looking for the desk or you'll have to pay for an extra ticket to get back in. If you are already around the station, you will have to pay for a ticket to gain access to the desk, although you can use it to make the first journey of the tour so it's not wasted. The guides speak English.


According to the São Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau, São Paulo hosts 90,000 events a year, from meetings and conferences to sports and cultural events. Events tied to a particular region are listed in the individual district sections. The following events are considered important to the city as a whole:

The São Paulo Carnaval.
  • Virada Cultural (Downtown). Virada Cultural is a round-the-clock cultural marathon that takes place in various parts of the Historic Center (Downtown), happening yearly around April–May. It is a free event that gathers an audience of several million of people circulating during a 24-hour, non-stop cultural party. Exceptionally, the metro and train work uninterruptedly during the event. During the 2012 edition, there were about 1,300 shows and 15 km of streets were occupied. Free.


University of São Paulo (USP).



Information for students[edit]

Discounts for Students




By train: From Metro station Barra Funda (Linha 3 - Red), take the CPTM metropolitan train (Linha 7 - Ruby) to Lapa station.


Learn Portuguese[edit]





Central shopping areas[edit]

Shopping street in São Paulo Downtown.



São Paulo has also many specialized shopping areas, such as Rua Teodoro Sampaio (West) for furniture and musical instruments, Rua José Paulino (Downtown) and Brás neighborhood (Southeast) for bargain and wholesale clothing, Liberdade neighbourhood (Downtown) for cosmetics and Asian products, and Rua Santa Ifigênia (Downtown) for electronic equipment.

Shopping malls[edit]



The selection of shops of a mall depends on the type of public predominant in the surroundings: at shopping malls located at working-class neighborhoods, it is easier to find bargain department stores, while shopping malls in wealthy areas may be the only way to have access to exclusive designer stores. Check the individual district listings for a comprehensive list of shopping malls in the city.

Some shopping malls that deserve special mention are Morumbi/Market Place (South Central - with more than 600 shops and dozens of restaurants), Eldorado (West - with an immense food court), Iguatemi (West - the oldest shopping mall of São Paulo, with very upscale profile), JK Iguatemi (West - the newest shopping mall for the wealthy Paulistanos), Cidade Jardim (West - famous for its internal gardens), Aricanduva (Far East - the city's largest and most famous working class shopping mall), and Frei Caneca (Downtown - the favorite of the LGBT public).

Suburban shopping areas[edit]









São Paulo is home to a superb diversity of restaurants and cuisines, where you can enjoy typical dishes from literally all over the world. The price range is as wide as the diversity of the restaurants in the city, from cheap snacks and meals in simple and cozy restaurants and food tents in popular markets, to the hugely expensive high end cuisine and internationally recognized restaurants, such as D.O.M, which was (in 2012) named the 4th best restaurant in the world and the best in South America by The World's 50 Best Restaurants.


In São Paulo, the ever-present beans-and-rice accompaniment typically involves brown beans instead of black beans, as in Rio. Another local specialty in São Paulo is the Virado à Paulista, which consists of rice, tutu de feijão (a paste of beans and manioc flour; sometimes made of corn flour, in order to be drier than the manioc flour one), kale sautéed with garlic (couve) and pork chops, typically bisteca. It is usually accompanied by pork rinds, bits of sausage, a fried egg and a fried banana.

One dish that claims its local character is the bauru sandwich, allegedly created by a druken student from the University of São Paulo's law school at the Ponto Chic restaurant after a long night out. It consists of four types of melted cheese and sliced roastbeef, and it still endures as one ubiquitous snack in padarias (Brazilian-style eateries).

Japanese restaurants of the rodizio style are found pretty much everywhere, but mainly in the past decade, São Paulo became world famous for its excellent Japan-like and fusion restaurants, including ramen and udon shops and exquisite sushi and sashimi sets, which sometimes even come at a reasonable price. Many of these types of restaurants can be found down rua Tomaz Gonzaga in Liberdade, where connaisseurs of good food have already found their way in. On weekends, these restaurants can be packed, so arrive early to avoid queues.

Another typical type of restaurant in São Paulo are the world-famous churrascarias, where an enormous range of meats and cuts comes to your table by the stick; they also offer a range of sides and salads. In those places, you can eat as much as you want, paying a single fee whose price range may vary from R$45 to R$115. This system is called rodízio, and it has been very successful in the city, spreading to other types of cuisine like Italian, where you can find the rodízio de pizza and Japanese, with the rodízio de sushi.

The cuisine of São Paulo shows the influence of European, Middle Eastern and Asian immigrants. The majority of immigrants in São Paulo arrived from Italy, and other European countries like Portugal, Spain and Germany. There are also large numbers of Asian and Middle Eastern immigrants from Japan, Lebanon and many other countries. Therefore, it is possible to find a wide array of cuisines in the city of São Paulo. Pizza is a particularly popular dish, which can be found with an endless range of toppings, and paulistas will swear their city has the best pizza in the country, if not in the world.







The main areas for nightlife in the city are Vila Olímpia, Vila Madalena, and Barra Funda (West), Moema (South Central), Tatuapé and Mooca (Southeast), and Santana (Northeast). The Downtown has also experimented an impressive revival of nightlife. Be sure to check the individual District listings.

Visit this website or buy one of the paper editions to have the latest clubbing updates.




By phone[edit]

Emergency phone numbers:

  • Police: 190
  • Fire: 193
  • Ambulance: 192

Quick city code (DDD) guide:

  • 19 - Campinas
  • 21 - Rio de Janeiro
  • 24 - Paraty
  • 31 - Belo Horizonte
  • 16 - Ribeirão Preto
  • 13 - Santos, Guarujá
  • 71 - Salvador
  • 84 - Natal
  • 92 - Manaus
  • The city code (also known locally as the DDD code) for São Paulo is 11), hence local telephone numbers have the following format: +55 11 0000-0000. If you are making local calls, the +55 11 prefix should be dropped.



Also, São Paulo has many open WiFi spots—often you just need to login with Facebook.


People from São Paulo kiss on the right cheek once when they say hello, goodbye and nice to meet you. Some will kiss twice, once on each cheek, a kiss in the air. Men kiss women on the cheek and women kiss women as well, but two men won't give the kiss out unless they're gay or with intimate long-time friends or family. If you feel the occasion is a bit formal, especially on business occasions or if you don't know the person too well, a handshake will do the job. However, if a Paulistano takes the initiative to kiss, make sure you turn your face to the left side to avoid embarrassment.

Business etiquette[edit]

  • Office hours are usually from 9AM-6PM, and banks are open M-F 10AM-4PM. However, don't be surprised if a meeting is scheduled after 6PM, as the business culture in São Paulo is a bit workaholic.
  • It is always safer to first adopt a business attire to a meeting—suit and tie for men, business suit for women—even if you turn out to be a bit overdressed in a more informal business environment.

Gay and lesbian travelers[edit]

São Paulo is the host of one of the biggest Gay Pride parades in the world, attracting every year about 4 million people. Although paulistanos are relatively tolerant to homosexuality, openly public displays of affection between people, especially of same sex are uncommon and likely to attract attention, with the exception of places such as Frei Caneca and Rua Augusta, and at some bars, coffee shops and night clubs. Such displays of affection should be completely avoided in poorer neighborhoods and on public transport, where prejudice is more likely to be openly manifested.


Main article: Driving in Brazil

While most people will drive carefully and respecting the rules, you are sure to see some paulistanos cutting you off, crossing where there's no zebra crossings, using bus-exclusive lanes and taking lefts or rights without signalizing their intentions. Bear in mind that if you do this to someone, they might just not care, but some could sound the horn, show you the finger, or even get out the car to physically confront you. That said, it's always best to avoid arguments.

Stay safe[edit]

São Paulo, once one of the most violent cities of Brazil, has managed to drastically reduce crime during the 2000s. According to the Sangari Institute, São Paulo was the safest capital city of Brazil in 2011, in terms of homicide rate.


  • Visitors should avoid walking in deserted areas at night, or at least avoid walking alone. Buses are reasonably safe, but waiting alone at a bus stop at night is not. The metro is always safe, but commuter trains that go to peripheral areas can be dangerous late at night. Be extremely careful when using ATMs at night (or better, do not use them if they are in deserted and dark places. If you really need one, try searching in places like shopping malls, theaters and cinemas and gas stations).
  • Some areas can be dangerous even during the day. These include run-down areas, like favelas and areas populated by drug addicts. The last can be easily recognized by the presence of poorly maintained buildings, bad odor, and dirty streets - there are many of those in the Historic Center. Most drug addicts are harmless, but a few may resort to violence to get money to buy their drugs. Contrary to popular belief, nowadays poor neighbourhoods in São Paulo aren't usually dangerous, at least not more dangerous than an ordinary neighborhood. Still, some of them can be dangerous, so if you are in doubt, don't go or have the company of a local.


  • Don't trust strangers, especially those who seem excessively helpful;
  • Always prefer the help of an identified officer or employee to that of a stranger;
  • Avoid withdrawing and carrying large amounts of money;

Football (soccer)[edit]

São Paulo is home to three major football teams in Brazil: Corinthians, Palmeiras and São Paulo. There is also a considerable number of Santos supporters. Minor teams include Portuguesa and Juventus.

Wearing one's favorite club's jersey as casual clothing is usual in São Paulo, even when it's not a match day. While walking by someone wearing a rival's jersey means nothing, being in the "wrong" place at the "wrong" time and with the "wrong" jersey during a match day may be extremely dangerous. For example, if you wear a São Paulo jersey and walk by a group of Corinthians supporters when both clubs are about to face each other, they may provoke you. Some supporters go as far as to schedule street fights on the internet, so it's always best to avoid being near large agglomerations of supporters.

Tourist police stations[edit]


  • Port and Airport Police Division. Special services for tourists and protection for dignitaries. Rua São Bento, 380, 5th floor, Centro. +55 11 3107-5642 and 3107-8332.
  • Headquarters of the Specialized Tourist Police – DEATUR. Av. São Luiz, 91, Centro. +55 11 3214-0209 and 3120-3984.
  • São Paulo Police Station at Congonhas Airport. Avenida Washington Luis, Moema. +55 11 5090-9032, 5090-9043 and 5090 9041.
  • São Paulo Police Station at Cumbica/Guarulhos International Airport. Rua Dr. João Jamil Zarif, Guarulhos. +55 11 6445 3064, 6445-2686, 6445-2162, 6445-3464, 6445-2221.

Stay healthy[edit]

  • If you're arriving from Peru, Colombia or Bolivia, the vaccination of yellow fever is required only if you need a visa (i.e., if you are going to stay for longer than 90 days). Check the requirements of any country you will travel to from Brazil.
  • Tap water in São Paulo is generally safe, at least when straight from the water supply system. However, several buildings can be lacking in the periodic cleaning of their cisterns and water tanks (the locals themselves tend to avoid tap water and drink bottled or filtered water instead).



In the city of São Paulo the voltage is usually 127V, unlike many other parts of Brazil and even of the São Paulo state. Most electronic products sold in São Paulo are now bi-volt, but always check carefully.


Go next[edit]




  • Santos (1 hr) - Estuary city near São Paulo, home to Pelé's famous football team Santos F.C. and Brazil's most important seaport.
  • Peruíbe (1½ hr) - Last south coast city nearby São Paulo, home of the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, the biggest Atlantic jungle in the state.
  • Ilhabela (3½ hr) - Accessible only from São Sebastião by ferry, it is an archipelago with various savage beaches and ecotourism options.


  • São Roque (1 hr) - A small city mainly regarded as a wine tourism destination, but also containing interesting historical constructions and beautiful nature.
  • Itu (1hr 15min) - Historical city that was the birthplace of Brazilian Republic, and with a theme of "oversized things".
  • São Luiz do Paraitinga (2 hr) - City in the Serra do Mar, offering ecoutourism options and an impressive historic center, a national heritage site.
  • Aparecida (2 hr) - A major Christian pilgrimage destination, containing the second largest Catholic temple in the World.

Theme parks[edit]

  • Hopi Hari (1 hr) - A big theme park located in the city of Vinhedo, one hour from São Paulo. It offers many rides, from those for children to the radical ones. Various food, from snacks to à la carte. You can get there by car or shuttle buses from many places.
  • Wet'n Wild São Paulo (1 hr), Itupeva (see the Vinhedo article). A water park of the American Wet'n Wild chain, just beside Hopi Hari, with 12 rides and many food shops.

Metro area (Grande São Paulo)[edit]

For the cities below, driving times vary widely according to where the journey begins in São Paulo.

  • Mogi das Cruzes - A popular destination for rural and ecotourism.
  • Embu das Artes - Town just Southwest of São Paulo, known for its talented local artists. If you are looking for authentic Brazilian art, handicrafts, furniture, or just want to browse around some really cool shops, this is the place to go.
  • Pirapora do Bom Jesus - Destination of a Catholic pilgrimage that is one of the oldest state's traditions.
  • Santana de Parnaíba - City with a valuable Colonial historical center and strong religious traditions.
  • Santo André - Containing the English-built village of Paranapiacaba and ecotourism options in the area.
Routes through São Paulo
Rio de JaneiroGuarulhos  N BR-116.png S  CuritibaPorto Alegre

This city travel guide to São Paulo is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.