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The main financial hub in the country, São Paulo is also Brazil’s most cosmopolitan city, with top-rate nightlife and restaurants and impressive cultural and arts scenes. Most of the wealthiest people in Brazil live here …– and the rest of them drop by at least once a year to shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, luxury items, and anything else that money can buy. Paulistanos (São Paulo inhabitants) work hard and spend a lot, and there’s no escaping the many shopping and eating temptations. Despite — or because of — these qualities, many tourists,

Brazilian and foreigners, avoid visiting the city. Too noisy, too polluted, too crowded, they say — and they have a point. São Paulo is hardly a beautiful city; it’s fast-paced and there’s lots to do, but it’s also a concrete jungle, with nothing as attractive as Rio’s hills and beaches. Yet, even as the smog reddens your eyes, you’ll see that there’s much to explore here. When you get tired of laid-back beaches, São Paulo is just the right place to go.

When to Go to São Paulo:

Cultural events — film and music festivals and fashion and art exhibits — happen mostly between April and December. During the South American summer (January-March) the weather is rainy, and floods can disrupt traffic. In summer, make reservations for beach resorts as far in advance as possible, particularly for weekend stays. In winter (June-July), follow the same rule for visits to Campos do Jordão. In the summer months temperatures can easily go up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). In winter they rarely get lower than 10°C (50°F).

Best of São Paulo in 3 to 5 Days:

If You Have 3 Days

On the first day, plan a walk along Avenida Paulista and visit its many cultural attractions, such as Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) and Instituto Itaú Cultural. In the evening, you could see a movie at the nearby Espaço Unibanco, or try one of the Italian restaurants in Bixiga, the Italian neighborhood, near the start of Avenida Paulista. Head to Centro on the second day to see such landmarks as Edifício Martinelli and Teatro Municipal.

Don’t miss the Latin crafts exhibit at the Memorial da América Latina, northwest of Centro. On the third day, head for Parque Ibirapuera to visit one of its museums or just relax under the trees. After that, you can try one of the bars in nearby Itaim or Vila Olímpia to see how paulistas enjoy their happy hour.


If You Have 5 Days

In addition to the attractions outlined in the three-day itinerary, take a day to visit the snake museum at Instituto Butantã at the Universidade de São Paulo and/or the Fundação Maria Luisa e Oscar Americano. These sights are far from one another; it’s best to get a cab. You can go by bus, but it’s slow going. In the evening, get a drink at one of Vila Madalena’s bars; here you can see a part of the city’s exciting nightlife. On your last day, tour Museu do Ipiranga and its environs, where Brazil’s independence was declared. Afterward, walk by Liberdade neighborhood to see the Japanese shops and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.