São Paulo
Brazil
Paulista AvenuePhoto: ProtoplasmaKid · CC BY-SA 4.0
São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)Photo: ProtoplasmaKid · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ibirapuera ParkPhoto: Fernando Stankuns · CC BY-SA 4.0
Municipal Market (Mercadão)Photo: Webysther · CC BY-SA 4.0
Museu Afro BrasilPhoto: Rodrigo Tetsuo Argenton · CC BY-SA 4.0
About São Paulo
São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil and in the Americas. Founded by Jesuit priests as a small mission in 1554, it is now the country's financial and cultural capital.
Skyscraper-lined Paulista Avenue, the sprawling Ibirapuera Park, major museums and neighborhoods that bring together cuisines from around the world shape the city; immigrant districts such as Liberdade reflect its diversity.
How many days do you need?
Three days is a good start: one for Paulista Avenue and MASP, one for the historic center and the Municipal Market, and one for Ibirapuera Park and its museums. The city is huge, so focusing each day on one area saves time.
Where to stay
- Paulista and Jardins — Central, close to the metro, full of hotels, museums and restaurants.
- Pinheiros and Vila Madalena — Lively districts with bars, cafés and street art.
- Liberdade — Historic immigrant neighborhood near downtown, known for Asian food.
From the airport to the city
São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is about 16 miles from downtown. A free People Mover links the terminals with CPTM's Aeroporto–Guarulhos station, where hourly Airport Express trains run to Luz and Palmeiras–Barra Funda. Airport Bus Service coaches also serve stops such as Paulista Avenue hotels and Tietê bus terminal. Most domestic flights use Congonhas Airport (CGH), inside the city.
Getting around
The metro and CPTM commuter trains connect the main areas and are the fastest way around in traffic. Taxis and ride-hailing apps work for longer trips; rush-hour traffic can be very heavy.
Good to know
- Check current official travel advisories; watch your phone and valuables in crowds and on public transport.
- Paulista Avenue closes to cars on Sundays and becomes a pedestrian space.
- The currency is the Brazilian real.
Useful links
- Visit Brasil (official Brazil tourism site) visitbrasil.com
- Metrô São Paulo metro.sp.gov.br
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: April–September. The warmest month is December (average high 83 °F); the wettest is January (8.7 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81.7 | 8.71 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 82.2 | 6.61 | Good |
| March | 80.8 | 5.80 | Good |
| April | 78.4 | 3.15 | Ideal |
| May | 74.3 | 2.35 | Ideal |
| June | 72.9 | 2.20 | Ideal |
| July | 73.6 | 2.19 | Ideal |
| August | 77.0 | 1.44 | Ideal |
| September | 81.9 | 2.73 | Ideal |
| October | 82.8 | 4.26 | Good |
| November | 81.9 | 5.36 | Good |
| December | 82.9 | 6.74 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Tiradentes' DayApril 21
- Labour DayMay 1
- Independence DaySeptember 7
- Our Lady of AparecidaOctober 12
- All Souls' DayNovember 2
- Republic DayNovember 15
- Black Awareness DayNovember 20
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyBrazilian Real (R$)
- Dialling code+55
- Plugs & voltageType C, N · 127/220 V · 60 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.