Sao Paulo

Orientation

Not only is Sao Paulo a commercial and cultural centre in Brazil, it is also one of the largest cities in South America. Baroque architecture is plentiful in the city. Visitors must experience Sao Paulo's dynamic night life.

City Facts

• Sao Paulo Population: 17,711,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Brazil Population: 169,202,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Currency: Real (BRC)
• Time Zone: GMT -3 hours
• Languages: Portuguese
  

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

Summer, between November and March, is generally very hot in Sao Paulo, with the mercury hitting 40°C (104°F) regularly. Occasional and brief storms are to be expected. The climate is usually damp during the winter months, but temperature is always comfortable. Given the city's tropical climate, the weather can be unpredictable.

Travel Tips

Arts and Events

A colourful city in South America, Sao Paulo organizes many local festivals, like the Carlton Dance Festival each June and July and an annual large scale dance parade and carnival during Lent.

Dining

Social life in Sao Paulo is based on food, so visitors can expect a delightful culinary experience. A wide choice of cuisine is available in the city nowadays, including German, Lebanese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, etc. The top-quality restaurants are situated near the city centre.

Tipping Advice

Visitors should consider giving a 10-15% tip to waiters in restaurants, while hotel staff generally expect at least 1.00BRC tip for their services. Visitors should never tip civil servants in Sao Paulo, as it may be considered as bribery.

Transportation

As well as the international airport, Sao Paulo is well served by a complex Brazilian bus network that links Rio with literally hundreds of destinations throughout Brazil and beyond. In general, Sao Paulo is one of the most accessible cities in Latin America.

Arriving by Air

The Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is Sao Paulo's main airport.

Getting Around Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo has an excellent public transport system, and visitors are strongly urged to make use of that instead of attempting to drive in the city, as traffic is always heavy.

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