Visitor's Information for Sao Paulo - Brazil
São Paulo's nightlife options are seemingly endless, and knowing where to go is key. The chic and wealthy head for establishments, many of which serve food, in the Vila Olímpia, Jardins, and Itaim neighborhoods. The Pinheiros and Vila Madalena neighborhood have a large concentration of Brazilian clubs and bars. The neighborhood of Jardins also has many spots, whereas Pinheiros and Vila Madalena have a large concentration of youthful bars and clubs.
São Paulo is a city beset by trends, so clubs and bars come and go at a dizzying pace. Though the places listed here were all thriving spots at this writing, the nightlife scene is always changing, and it's best to check with hotel concierges and paulistanos you meet to confirm that a place is still open before heading out on the town.
The world's top orchestras, opera and dance companies, and other troupes always include São Paulo in their South American tours. Most free concerts -- with performances by either Brazilian or international artists -- are presented on Sunday in Parque Ibirapuera. City-sponsored events are usually held in Centro's Vale do Anhangabaú area or in Avenida Paulista.
Listings of events appear in the "Veja São Paulo" insert of the newsweekly Veja. The arts sections of the dailies Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo also have listings and reviews. Both papers publish a weekly guide on Friday.
Tickets for many events are available at booths throughout the city and at theater box offices. Many of these venues offer ticket delivery to your hotel for a surcharge.
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).
Shopping in São Paulo
Shopping is an attraction in its own right in São Paulo, which is confirmed by the many South Americas who come from all over the continent to browse the city's wares -- especially clothing, shoes, and accessories. Stores are usually open weekdays 9-6:30, Saturday 9-1, and are closed Sunday. Mall hours are generally weekdays and Saturday 10-10; malls open on Sunday at around 2 PM.
On Sunday there are antiques fairs near the Museu de Arte de São Paulo and (in the afternoon) at the Shopping Center Iguatemi's parking lot. Many stall owners have shops and hand out business cards so you can browse throughout the week at your leisure. An arts and crafts fair (Praça da República, Centro) -- selling jewelry, embroidery, leather goods, toys, clothing, paintings, and musical instruments -- takes place Sunday morning. Many booths move over to the nearby Praça da Liberdade in the afternoon, joining vendors there selling Japanese-style ceramics, wooden sandals, cooking utensils, food, and bonsai trees. Flea markets with second-hand furniture, clothes, and CDs take place on Saturday at Praça Benedito Calixto in Pinheiros and on Sunday at the Praça Dom Orione in Bela Vista.
Key Attractions
MASP; São Paulo Museum of Art
This is the city's biggest and best museum, housing the most significant collection of Western art in Latin America, including more than 8,000 paintings and sculptures. It also hosts impressive changing exhibitions.
Ibirapuera Park
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Burle Marx, Ibirapuera is São Paulo's answer to New York's Central Park, with playgrounds, lakes and the unique Bosque de Leitura (Reading Woods), where books can be borrowed. There are free Sunday morning concerts, two museums of modern art and a planetarium.
Snake Farm at the Instituto Butantãn
Deadly snakes, spiders and scorpions from around the world can be seen at this pioneering anti-venom research centre set in beautiful parkland. Certainly not for the squeamish, but this is one of the city's most popular sites.
Mercado Municipal
The sprawling municipal market, filled with stained-glass windows, opened in 1932. Visitors can marvel at the fresh produce of all descriptions sold from more than 300 stands, many manned by third-generation stall-holders. Tuck into excellent local snacks at the Hocca Bar and Bar do Mané.
Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo
The first archbishop of São Paulo, Don Duarte Leopoldo, began this collection of sacred art objects in the beginning of the 20th century; it now includes over 4,000 pieces ranging from silver plates to a candlestick collection rivalled only by the Vatican's.
