There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in São Paulo each year.
The main ones are listed below.
A major event, São Paulo's carnival remains a truly popular feast, highlighted by the spirit of samba. Local samba schools put on a show for locals and tourists from all over the world, first on Avenida Olavo Fontoura, before venturing onto the other streets of the metropolis.
May 1: Labour Day (national holiday) May 22: Corpus Christi (national holiday)This springtime commemoration of the Holy Eucharist was introduced by the Portuguese. This is an all-day affair in São Paulo, with processions of children dressed in white and streets covered in sawdust, leaves, dried flowers, coffee grounds and chalk.
September 7: Independence Day (national holiday)Brazil's independence on this day in 1822 is celebrated in São Paulo with concerts and other stage shows, street parties, dances and fireworks.
November 2: All Souls' Day (Dia de Finados, national holiday)On this day, families gather to pay tribute to the departed and decorate their tombs at the cemetery.
December 2: National Samba Day (celebrated nationwide)This day celebrating Brazil's most popular dance form also marks the official start of the summer holidays. As in other cities across the country, it is celebrated in São Paulo with numerous samba performances, concerts and revellers dancing in the streets.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19/66 | 27/81 | 290/11.4 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 19/66 | 28/82 | 272/10.7 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 18/64 | 27/81 | 190/7.5 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 16/61 | 25/77 | 88/3.5 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 14/57 | 23/73 | 72/2.8 | Good period to go
|
| June | 12/54 | 23/73 | 70/2.8 | Good period to go
|
| July | 12/54 | 23/73 | 57/2.2 | Good period to go
|
| August | 13/55 | 23/73 | 47/1.9 | Good period to go
|
| September | 14/57 | 24/75 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 15/59 | 25/77 | 140/5.5 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 16/61 | 26/79 | 120/4.7 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 19/66 | 26/79 | 190/7.5 | Not the best period to go |
The airport is located about 22 kilometres (14 miles) north-east of the city centre.
Although São Paulo is a sprawling metropolis, its public transport system is efficient and can be used to reach most points in the city. However, traffic can be quite congested, especially at rush hours.
São Paulo's excellent Metrô system is by far the fastest way to get around the city. There are six main colour-coded lines: Line 1 (Blue), Line 2 (Green), Line 3 (Red), Line 4 (Yellow), Line 5 (Lilac) and Line 15 (Silver). Metrô trains run daily from 4:40 a.m. to midnight (with service extended until 1 a.m. on Saturday nights) except on Sunday. A ticket for a single trip costs BRL 4.30.
Useful tip: The Bilhete Único, a smart card system for public transport within São Paulo, allows you to purchase an integrated ticket, valid for up train, Metro and any of the city's municipal buses.
Hundreds of bus routes criss-cross the city, operated by both private and state-owned transportation companies. Dedicated bus lanes have been set up in the median area of the city's main thoroughfares, but service can be very slow at times, especially at rush hours. A single ticket costs BRL 4.30.
Important: Bus drivers only stop to pick up passengers if they wave as the bus approaches.
São Paulo has about 10 commuter rail lines with stations in the city's main districts. A single ticket costs BRL 4.30.
Taxis are plentiful in São Paulo and especially useful when night falls, not only for their sheer practicality, but for safety reasons as well. A ride in the city centre costs about BRL 20.
Upon your arrival in São Paulo, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
São Paulo Convention and Visitors BureauOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.) as well as brochures and maps.
The Brazilian national tourist board provides a wealth of information on São Paulo.
The currency used in Brazil is the Real (BRL).
1 EUR = 4.60 BRL
1 BRL = 0.22 EUR
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. São Paulo counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
As a general rule, foreign nationals must apply for visas before travelling to Brazil. However, Brazil has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries.
To find out if you will need a visa for travel to Brazil, visit the consular section of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br/vistos
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in São Paulo, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases that will make your stay in São Paulo a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bom dia (morning) / Boa tarde (afternoon)
Good evening: Boa noite
Goodbye: Adeus
Yes: Sim
No: Não
No, thank you: Não, obrigado(a)
Thank you very much: Muito obrigado(a)
Please: Por favor
I don't understand: Eu não entendo
Could you repeat ?: Você pode repetir
What time is it ?: Que horas são ?
Sorry: Com licença
Excuse me:
Airport: Aeroporto
Train station: Estação
Taxi: Táxi
Hotel: Hotel
Hospital: Hospital
Bank: Banco
Telephone: Telefone
I'm (…): Eu sou (…)
I'm looking for (…): Eu procuro (…)
How much is (…)?: Quanto custa (…)?
Do you have (…)?: Você tem (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Onde é que há (…)?
Where can I buy (…)?: Onde posso comprar (…)?
I'd like (…): Queria (…)
Tipping
In São Paulo as in the rest of Brazil, a 10% service charge is included in the bill at bars and restaurants. However, it is not considered out of place to leave the waiting staff a little extra tip if you are particularly pleased with the service. If no gratuity is added to the bill, tipping between 10 and 15% is customary.
