Sao Paulo , Brazil » City Info » Travel Tips

Like Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo is equally a city of enormous importance as the state capital, deriving its energy from the diverse mix of immigrants, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and robust business wealth.

The sheer cultural and gastronomic array available in the city could easily overwhelm and intimidate any tourist. Sao Paulo is a great city to explore delicious fusion cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and fashionable shopping. Not to mention the world-class museums and galleries that exhibit the finest and rarest antiquities.

Get in

By Plane

Three major international airports serve Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, often called Cumbica and located 30km northeast of Sao Paulo, is the largest international airport in the city. The second, Viracopos in Campinas, serves both international and domestic flights. Last but not least is Aeroporto Congonhas, a domestic airport from where you can fly to other cities in Brazil. Located south of Centro, it takes about a 30-minute drive to reach the airport, depending on traffic.

Shuttle service between Guarulhos and Congonhas Airports is operated by EMTU blue buses every 30-minutes.

Blue and white Guarucoop radio taxis will transport you from the airport to your destination, and the fare is pre-decided based on your drop-off address.

By Bus

Sao Paulo has three main bus terminals. Rodoviário do Tietê, the second-largest bus terminal in the world is at the Tietê Metrô stop. It links the cities throughout Brazil and serves neighbouring countries of Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Cumbica shuttle services also arrive and depart at this terminal.

Rodoviário da Barra Funda, located near the Barra Funda Metrô, connects the western cities of Sao Paulo state with Mato Grosso, Foz do Iguaçu and west Paraná cities. Similar to Rodoviário do Tietê, it operates shuttle service buses for the international airport.

Rodoviário de Jabaquara terminal, near the Jabaquara metro station serves cities on the state’s south coast, including Guarujá, Santos, and Bertioga.

Getting around

The complex urban transport system of Sao Paulo makes it difficult for tourists to navigate the chaotic streets. Travellers prefer to use public means of transport rather than self-drive a car in the impatient, frenzied traffic. Since most of Sao Paulo's attractions are between the Avenida Paulista and the historical centre, they are close enough to be easily explored on foot. For long distances, subway/metro, trains, taxis, and trolleybuses offer hassle-free navigation options. For those who wish to travel outside of Sao Paulo, bus transport is sometimes the only available option.

By Bus

Sao Paulo has a convenient public transport system that makes travelling safe and comfortable. The city is served by many bus routes, covering the entire of Sao Paulo. However, traffic and congested road conditions can sometimes lead to slow travel. Bus stops are marked, making it easy for travellers to find bus routes. Sao Paulo buses run between 4:00am and midnight. To travel by bus, board at a designated bus stop, pay the cobrador (conductor) the required fare and alight from the rear. Bilhete Único, the city's contactless card system for fare control, allows combined bus and travel on one ticket. Choose from four bus rides in three hours or three bus rides and a rapid transit or train ride. Tourists can buy the cards at lottery shops, metro stations, and bus terminals.

By Metro ( Visit )

One of the finest rail transportation systems in the Americas, Sao Paulo Metro has five lines. The sixth line is a planned extension of the Metro. Along with another company, Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos, the Metro covers the entire urban area of Sao Paulo city and the 39 municipalities that make up the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region.

Operating daily from 4:40am to midnight (1:00am on Saturdays), the metro system consists of five colour-coded lines - Line 1 (Blue), Line 2 (Green), Line 3 (Red), Line 4 (Yellow) and Line 5 (Lilac). If a passenger uses the "Bilhete Único" card, he can take up to 4 buses and one metro or suburban train in 2 hours. Otherwise, one can buy a ticket for one metro or suburban train in 3 hours.

By Taxi

There are three types of taxis in Sao Paulo – radio taxis, street cabs, and deluxe cabs. Unless it is a radio taxi, cabs are white with a glowing green "TAXI" sign on the rooftop. Check out the taxi's colour, the driver's photo and name, and a red license plate. You can hire street cabs at city squares and large venues. The other, a radio taxi, is to be ordered on a telephone or booked online. Taxi fare in Sao Paulo is comparatively pricier than in other big cities, and there is a chance of being robbed if you are a foreigner.

Car Rental

Driving a car is an intrinsic part of Sao Paulo's lifestyle. Every Paulistanos needs a car for commuting to and from work. There are some places located far off from the city that are reachable only by car. People living in Sao Paulo are used to driving in the chaotic, crazy traffic of the city, being stuck for hours on end. But tourists will find driving and parking in Sao Paulo a nightmare, primarily if they are not used to the windy streets. Nevertheless, driving a car is sometimes convenient if you wish to access the remote areas of town.

Before you rent a car in Sao Paulo, make sure you have all the papers in place, such as vehicle license papers, road tax documents, and driving license. Be careful while driving at night as carjacking and robberies are common in big cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Also, to reduce traffic congestion and control air pollution, cars with a license plate ending in a certain number are not allowed on the street for one day a week. Yet, traversing through the busy lanes of Sao Paulo in a rented car is always an adventurous activity.

Communication in Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo has an excellent network of fixed-line communication operated by Telefônica and Embratel. Travellers can make local, long-distance domestic and international calls from/to Brazil. Both telephone companies offer internet and cable TV-related services. The city has an extensive network of public pay booths that work with phone cards found at newsstands, bars, shops, etc.

The mobile sector in Sao Paulo is a fiercely competitive market. Rival operators try to lure customers with different offers and promotions to gain the lead over each other. There are pay-as-you-go or pay monthly packages, but operators may offer new packages to attract customers. Check for current promotions to find a package that suits your requirements. The major mobile telephone companies operating in Sao Paulo are TIM, Claro, Vivo, and Oi.

The Correios postal service in Brazil has several post offices across the country, including Sao Paulo. Post offices are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm, although shopping malls, post offices may have their opening and closing hours.

Sao Paulo offers internet access primarily through dial-up, which involves dialling the fixed telephone line. Users pay at a per-minute rate or a flat monthly rate, or a combination of both. High-speed broadband and ASDL internet access is gaining popularity across Sao Paulo. The leading internet service providers in Sao Paulo are Brasil Telecom, Terra, POP, UOL, NET, and GVT. There are not many internet cafes in Sao Paulo, but those present offer reasonable hourly rates.

Tipping

Tipping in Brazil is nearly non-existent and is given only if the service is beyond excellence. However, tipping is appreciated if you are a tourist who can afford to be generous.

Restaurants include a 10% service fee in their bills, which is not compulsory. But most customers do pay it unless you have a good reason for not paying, say lousy service.

People tip taxi drivers by rounding off the amount to the following whole number. If the trip fare comes to say R$34.20, pay R$35.00 not to have to struggle with coins.

You can tip the bellhop and the chambermaid a small amount for exemplary service in hotels. At beaches, tip the person who helps you rent a chair and umbrella and arranges for the food and drink.

Safety

Like any other big city, Sao Paulo has its fair share of the crime rate. Once one of the most crime-infested cities in Brazil, Sao Paulo has tried reshaping its violent image. Today, it is Brazil's safest capital city in terms of the homicide rate. However, that does not mean you should relax because Sao Paulo is an enormous city with significant variations in socioeconomic status.

Tourists in Sao Paulo are prone to violent muggers and pickpockets, but it is possible to safeguard yourself if you use common sense. Avoid walking on deserted roads at night, or at least take someone with you. Travelling in buses is safe, but waiting alone at bus stops is not. Trains that travel to the suburbs can be unsafe late at night. Use ATMs located in shopping malls, cinemas, gas stations rather than those in dark, uninhabited areas.

Be on guard while driving, as it can be risky if you are alone and in upscale clubbing areas like Vila Madalena or Vila Olímpia. Keep the doors locked, and windows closed during the night. If you're returning to the hotel late at night, possibly hire a taxi or hitch a ride with a group of friends.

Favelas and areas populated by the poor and drug addicts are dangerous even during the day. Drug addicts are harmless most of the time, but some may become violent to buy drugs.

Leave essential documents, flashy jewellery and all valuables in the hotel room. Dress down or more conservatively to avoid being a target.

When to go to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo usually enjoys pleasant weather all year round, but it becomes difficult to predict the weather as the seasons are not well marked.

Travelling in summers (December – February) can be a horrendous experience when it gets scorching and sticky in the capital. Further, a sudden spate of rains marked by poor drainage frequently causes flooding in Sao Paulo. Despite all of this, summer is the tourist month of Sao Paulo because of Christmas, New Year and Carnival. Flights and hotels are the most expensive during these months.

In the winter months (June – August), when the schools are closed, Paulistanos (Sao Paulo inhabitants) take a winter break and ride their way out of the city to nearby beach resorts. During these days, Sao Paulo becomes a "ghost town", meaning the resort towns become crowded and advanced booking is a must.

For budget travellers and in general, fall (March-May) and spring (September – November) is just the right time to visit Sao Paulo. The weather is pleasant, and there are many cultural events held at this time of the year. Prices for flights and accommodations are also relatively low.

Pack in some long sleeve coats, scarves, swimming costumes, and comfortable, light clothing if travelling in fall and spring. In summers, it is the usual – sunblocks, summery dresses and swimming costumes. For winters, sweaters, light trench coats, jeans and scarves should suffice.

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