Sao Paulo State Travel & Vacation Guide

This is the first thematic aquarium in South America, where visitors have the chance to see and learn about over 300 species of animals at once. It's not just marine creatures that live here, but some land animals as well. Special emphasis is put on the ethical treatment of animals. They also have a restaurant, cinema, and occasional mermaid dives.

Built in 1935 by famous local architect Ramos de Azevedo for one of his daughters, Casa das Rosas, or ”House of Roses” is a French-style mansion with gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The building was home to the same family until 1986 when it was made a municipal landmark. Since 2004, it has been a museum dedicated to poetry, literature, culture and the preservation of the bibliographic collection of the poet Haroldo de Campos.

The local team São Paulo Futebol Clube can draw on their 17 million supporters. Their team's home stadium, nicknamed Estádio do Morumbi, might not be an architectural marvel, but it more than makes up in atmosphere during home games with crowds of up to 66,000.

Designed by the modernist Oscar Niemeyer, the Copan Building is a 118.44-metre tall, 38-story residential building in downtown São Paulo. It has 1,160 apartments as well as 70 commercial establishments. With its serpentine facade and sunshades, it is one of the most unusual architectural monuments and an icon of the Brazilian metropolis.

The Soccer Museum showcases a diverse range of topics related to the beloved sport of soccer, including its practice, history, and interesting facts both in Brazil and worldwide. Visitors can experience interactive exhibitions, vintage soccer displays, and relive World Cup victories. At the same time, you have the chance to see one of the world's largest soccer stadiums, the Pacaembu Stadium. On most weekends, there will be live music in the café of the museum.

If you're feeling adventurous enough to try soaring up into the sky, São Paulo could be the perfect place to do so on board a hot air balloon. Enjoy this thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime experience while resting your eyes on the beautiful views of São Paulo from above.

Considered one of the major scientific centres in the world, Instituto Butantan, the Brazilian biologic research centre famous for its research in vaccines and snake serums is well worth a visit. In two museums, you'll find historical and modern expositions on microbiology. Permanent posters in front of the museum display the history of the institute itself.

A magnificent building in the trendy Higienópolis neighbourhood is the venue for major international exhibits held in the impressive Grand Hall and its wings. You will also find some of the big names of Brazilian art here including Portinari and Di Cavalcanti.

Experience the warmth and hospitality of All of Jazz, a venue and bar known for its exceptional live jazz and bossa nova performances, along with its selection of imported drinks and appetizing bites.

Bar do Luiz Fernandes is a traditional, relaxed neighbourhood bar that has been serving up homemade appetizers and bottled beer since 1970. The laid-back atmosphere is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a cold beer. If you're feeling hungry, be sure to try the speciality beef croquettes (bolinho de carne), which are a local favourite.

Bar Veloso is an award-winning Rio de Janeiro-style bar serving the city's best coxinhas — a popular street food in Brazil consisting of shredded chicken meat, covered in dough, shaped into a chicken drumstick, then breaded and deep-fried. You’ll also find other tasty appetizers and famous caipirinhas. As you might expect, Bar Veloso gets quite busy, so be sure to arrive early to get a table.

Bourbon Street Music Club is an awarded live music bar bringing the fun and magical atmosphere of New Orleans’s legendary street to São Paulo with its jazz and blues nights. Be sure to visit their website to see what’s on while you’re in town.

Café Piu Piu is a lively nightclub that plays a wide range of Brazilian music from live samba to MPB as well as jazz and rock. The venue draws a mixed crowd and stays open well into the early hours of the morning.

Canto da Ema is a beloved disco club and the best place in São Paulo to dance forró, a hip-swivelling, musical genre from the northeastern region of Brazil. But if you don't know any of the moves, don't worry, they do offer forró classes for beginners. There's also a bar and a restaurant with typical food from the northeast.

If you're a fan of craft beer, then Capitão Barley is the place for you. Boasting a diverse beer menu and mouth-watering bar grub, it offers the ultimate relaxed atmosphere for anyone seeking a refreshing drink. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just looking for a laid-back spot to enjoy a cold one, Capitão Barley has you covered.

D-Edge is a cool, hip underground venue with elaborate lighting and design, where DJs play everything from hip-hop to punk and heavy metal. Check the regularly updated schedule to see what's on the night you're going out.

Charming chocolate shop offering a variety of chocolate treats, made from 100% Brazilian cocoa, including zero-sugar and vegan options. At Chocolat Du Jour, they only work with the finest cocoa producers in the country, with controlled and sustainable origins. A great place to stop by and buy some chocolates to bring home with you.

Since 1987, the Benedito Calixto Fair has been a cultural and tourist reference in São Paulo. Every Saturday, 300 vendors gather at this open-air market in Benedito Calixto Square to sell handicrafts, antiques, works of art, and more. There are also plenty of food options and music.

Galeria Do Rock is a modern retail complex featuring around 450 shops across five floors in São Paulo’s downtown area. Music lovers should especially go and visit since most of the stores in the building are devoted entirely to particular music styles like rock and roll, punk, heavy metal, and hip hop. Beatles fans, in particular, must visit the store "Beatles 4ever".

The Jardins district boasts several international boutiques, trendy restaurants, and charming cafés, which makes it an interesting spot for both luxury and window shoppers. The main streets you should visit here are Haddock Lobo and Oscar Freire. The latter is São Paulo's own 5th Avenue, home to the most famous national and international brands and once voted the eighth most luxurious street in the world.

One of the best bookstores in São Paulo, Livraria Cultura boasts an infinity of book titles of the most varied genres — both in Portuguese and English. Plus, several spaces for reading and a café. Stay tuned for free events, such as cinema, autograph sessions, and even concerts.

Distinguished shopping mall featuring local and international retailers, plus a variety of restaurants, a movie theater, and an arcade.

Ponto Solidário is a non-profit association that supports social projects and local crafts by various NGOs, indigenous communities, artisans, and artists from all regions of Brazil. Everything is documented to avoid exploitation and the friendly owner loves to have a talk with his visitors explaining everything they want to know.

If you like cheap shopping, you should visit Rua 25 de Março. Located in the centre of São Paulo, Rua 25 de Março is one of the most popular shopping streets in the country as well as the largest shopping centre in Latin America. Here, you'll find everything you need — and probably things you had no idea you needed, too. Cosmetics, craft supplies, clothes, decorations, costumes, toys, and so much more, all sold at low cost. Be sure to bring cash with you and be very careful with your belongings.

São Paulo is served by the Guarulhos International Airport, also known as Cumbica, located 30 kilometres northeast of the city. Blue air-conditioned EMTU buses operate between the airport and the city centre. The buses stop at Tietê bus terminal, Praça da República, the major hotels along Avenida Paulista, Brooklin Novo, Barra Funda, and Congonhas. The journey to Avenida Paulista takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. The buses leave every 30-90 minutes. A cheaper option is to take a bus to Bresser metro station and then take a train to the city centre. You can also take a blue and white taxi or request an Uber. Congonhas airport is located 14 kilometres south of São Paulo's city centre (a 30-minute drive) serving domestic airlines.

Taxis in São Paulo are white. You can either hail one on the street, call for one, or find a taxi at marked points around the city. Here are a few taxi companies in São Paulo: Use Taxi (+55 11 5582 2000), Call Taxi São Paulo (+55 11 2101 3030) und Coopertax (+55 11 2095 6000). Another option for lower fares is the rideshare company Uber.

São Paulo has an extensive public transport system. Bus services are frequent and cover the entire city, but congestion can sometimes make travelling slow. With stops clearly marked, bus routes are easy to find. There are different tickets to suit your needs.

The voltage in São Paulo is 127 V. Some hotels might have 220 V outlets. Plugs: type N (3 round prongs).

São Paulo's metro system is efficient and easy to use. There are six lines and nearly 100 subway stations. The network covers most of the city's attractions and will help you save time escaping the chaotic traffic of the city. The metro in São Paulo runs every day from 4:40 am to midnight.

Pharmacies, called farmácias or drogarias, can be found throughout the entire city. Most pharmacies will deliver 24 hours a day, usually for a small surcharge. Ask your concierge for the nearest one. A few pharmacies in São Paulo that are open 24 hours. Drogasil in Consolação is one of them.

The Post Office in Brazil is called Correios. The Central Post Office in São Paulo is located downtown at Praça Pedro Lessa. Yellow postal kiosks can be found throughout the city. Many can be found on Av. Paulista. The Post Office at the international airport of Guarulhos is open 24 hours.

Country code: +55 Area code: 11