If Brazil is South America’s largest country, then São Paulo is its colossus. The most populous city in the Southern Hemisphere, the megalopolis’ scale almost defies belief: Descending into one of its two airports is like arriving in a jungle of skyscrapers. Frenetic, dynamic, and varied (each neighborhood has its own character), this subtropical city may not have any beaches—but there are still so many things to do in São Paulo. Visit its museums, restaurants, nightclubs, and architectural highlights, and discover why residents are so proud of their hometown.
Subtropical São Paulo is steamy throughout the year, though temperatures are coolest from June to September in its winter months. That’s also its high season (as is February, when Carnival is held) when prices are likely to be at their peak. Instead, visit in the March to May or the October to November shoulder seasons for reasonable weather and rates. (Bonus: The São Paulo Grand Prix is typically held in November.)
São Paulo is served by two major airports: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport and São Paulo–Congonhas Airport, its domestic hub. Getting around town can be difficult—especially given the city’s notorious traffic—so it’s worth using the São Paulo Metro, which operates six lines. The city is also served by numerous buses, and rideshare services are affordable—though both can get snarled in traffic.
Cultural São Paulo is home to many worthy museums, but one of the most distinctive is the Museu Afro Brasil. Located in the city’s verdant Ibirapuera Park, the museum offers a rich and deep look at the history, heritage, art, and cultural contributions of the country’s African and Afro-descendent people. It hosts more than 6,000 objects, ranging from ethnographic artifacts to contemporary artworks.
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Yes, São Paulo is worth visiting. One of the world’s largest cities, it has extraordinary diversity in its people, neighborhoods, culture, and cuisine. Highlights range from the São Paulo Museum of Art and the Rodeo Drive-like Rua Oscar Freire to architectural masterworks by Oscar Niemeyer.
...MoreYes, São Paulo is good for tourists. The fact that it is less of a prominent tourist hotspot than Rio de Janeiro makes it paradoxically easier to get around: petty crime is lower, public transit is robust, and its scale means there are almost infinite opportunities for exploration.
...MoreSão Paulo is one of the world’s biggest and most populated cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Brazil’s financial and cultural capital is renowned for its busy pace of life and its wealth of museums, top-drawer restaurants, up-all-night clubs, and eclectic neighborhoods.
...MoreNo, São Paulo doesn’t have beaches. Visitors may picture the golden sands of Rio de Janeiro when imagining Brazil, but São Paulo is an urban jungle. That said, São Paulo state has hundreds of miles of coastline, and the closest beaches are a little over an hour away by car.
...MoreYes, São Paulo is bigger than London. The greater London metropolitan area has a population of around 9 million people, while the greater São Paulo metro area has a population of about 22 million. São Paulo also sprawls across a much greater geographic area than London.
...MoreThat depends on your preferences. If you love the excitement of large cities, fast-paced living, and endless cultural and culinary offerings, then São Paulo is for you. However, visit Rio de Janeiro if you’re after world-class beaches, lush nature, a laidback atmosphere, and a festive feel.
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