❌ 5 things you MUST NOT do when you travel to SÃO PAULO Brazil! 🇧🇷
Tips for Sao Paulo
- 🏚 Don’t stay in Downtown São Paulo
While central São Paulo hosts famous landmarks like the Cathedral, Municipal Theater, Mercado Municipal, and Santander building, the area is plagued by rundown buildings, heavy homelessness, unsafe conditions, and noise. Visitors are advised to explore these attractions in a single day using Uber instead of walking and avoid booking accommodation there. Instead, neighborhoods such as Avenida Paulista, Vila Madalena, Pinheiros, or Oscar Freire are much safer and enjoyable. - 💵 Don’t rely on foreign cards for metro tickets
The São Paulo metro is affordable (about R$5.20 ≈ $0.90 USD per trip) but foreign bank cards aren’t accepted for ticket purchases. Tourists must pay in cash at the ticket counters. This rule surprises many since smaller towns in Brazil accept cards widely, yet the largest city in South America does not. - 🚗 Don’t get into fake Ubers
At airports, bus terminals, and even Mercado Municipal, scammers pose as Uber drivers, shouting “Uber” to lure travelers. The only safe way is to book through the official Uber app and wait at designated “aplicativo de transporte” pick-up zones, since Uber cars aren’t allowed at taxi stands. - 🕒 Don’t underestimate travel time to airports/bus terminals
São Paulo’s traffic is notorious. Getting to Guarulhos (GRU), Congonhas (CGH), or Tietê bus terminal can take much longer than expected. The Tietê terminal itself is massive (89 platforms) with poor signage and almost no electronic departure boards, making navigation time-consuming. Arrive well in advance to avoid missed buses or flights. - 🏙 Don’t expect São Paulo to be New York City
Articles often compare São Paulo to NYC, but the vibe is very different. São Paulo is more homogeneous—99% of conversations are in Portuguese, and the city feels far less cosmopolitan than New York, London, or Paris. While diverse in heritage (Japanese, Italian, German, Arab, African immigration), São Paulo lacks the same international buzz. Instead, visitors may enjoy the sense of being among mostly locals, making it feel like a unique urban experience.
🔢 Insights Based on Numbers
- R$5.20 (≈ $0.90 USD) per metro ride highlights the affordability of public transport in São Paulo, though the cash-only rule complicates travel for foreigners.
- 89 platforms at the Tietê bus terminal demonstrate the massive scale of São Paulo’s transportation hubs, which can easily overwhelm unprepared travelers.
- 165 reais ($30 USD) for the Sampa 360 viewpoint compared to 45 reais ($8 USD) for the Santander building shows how tourist pricing varies widely, urging visitors to choose smarter.
