Sao Paulo holidays
Sao Paulo holidays at a glance
This capital of commerce has mushroomed relentlessly since its 16th-century founding, but it’s far from a homogenous metropolis.
Liberdade is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan; Bela Vista is a jumble of small lanes lined with homes founded by Italian immigrants; Jardins is the posh district, with leafy residential streets, chic restaurants and designer boutiques. Unlike Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo’s appeal lies less in beaches and scenery and more in this extraordinary cultural offering.
The compact historic centre, rustic as recently as the 19th century, is now dwarfed by skyscrapers but still defined by the grand, bulky cathedral on Praça de Sé. The city’s foremost artery, Avenida Paulista, once beloved of coffee barons for its fine promenade, hosts excellent museums, as does the Luz district further out.
There’s a strong sporting culture too, with a Formula One Grand Prix circuit and world-class football teams alongside the concert halls, galleries and parks – and Paulistas themselves are known for a work ethic that keeps them constantly on the move, though you’ll find them friendly and helpful all the same.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Sao Paulo
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
For travellers seeking contemporary Brazil, São Paulo offers an unrivalled mix of art, architecture, gastronomy and big-city excitement.
When to visit Sao Paulo
São Paulo can be visited throughout the year, with each season offering a different experience.
This is the hottest period, with summertime temperatures between 28°C and 40°C in the daytime and warm, muggy nights. Rainfall at this time varies; it may be heavy and persistent or can arrive in short tropical bursts. In February there are carnival activities and excitement in the air during the build up.
There is less cloud cover during this time than during the earlier summer months and temperatures tend to stay around 25°C, making this a pleasant time to visit the city.
Weather conditions remain much the same as in April – May, with 25°C temperatures and less cloud cover than in summertime.
These months transition into summer, with increasing rainfall and temperatures rising. There is often a fair amount of sunshine and weather conditions feel pleasant.
Top Things to do in Sao Paulo
The city offers a rich mix of culture, architecture, gastronomy and Brazilian urban life, from wandering Liberdade’s Japanese quarter to a stop-over exploring the museums along Avenida Paulista.
Spend a couple of days in megapolis Sao Paulo, a whistle-stop tour or a gentle amble through intriguing contrasting neighbourhoods.
Accommodation in Sao Paulo
Accommodation is as cosmopolitan as the city itself, ranging from no-frills and mid-range options to high-end luxury hotels in enviable locations. Many visitors choose to stay close to Avenida Paulista, Jardins or other central areas offering convenient access to the city’s cultural attractions.
Smart, modern first class hotel in Jardins, Sao Paulos’s most prestigious and sought-after neighbourhood.
An elegant, small first class hotel in central Sao Paulo, offering a relaxing stay.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- What's the best time to visit Sao Paulo?
São Paulo is an all-year destination, at its hottest Jan-Mar (humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40°C during the day). It can be cool and drizzly Jul-Aug but the sun is never far away. Late Dec-Feb (and to a lesser extent Jul) are local holiday times and can be less busy as the population heads to the coast or abroad.
- How do I get local currency in Sao Paulo?
Brazilian Real.
Notes can be withdrawn from the ATMs at the airport and in town. Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and HSBC accept UK credit or debit cards. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. ATMs close at 10pm. Currency also obtainable in banks and money exchanges.
- What's the time difference between Sao Paulo and UTC?
GMT -3 hours. Daylight saving from Oct- end Feb (approx) when clocks are put forward one hour was abolished in 2019.
- What places combine well with Sao Paulo?
São Paulo is a transport hub for the nation, especially air travel with flights from Guarulhos and Congonhas airport to cities all over the country. In fact if you are travelling between, say, Rio, Salvador or Manaus and another attraction, the chances are you will have a change of plane in São Paulo and may consider a stop over there. There are frequent daily flights to Iguazú Falls (1hr 40mins); Salvador da Bahía in the northeast (2hrs 20mins); Manaus for the Amazon (4hrs) and 2hrs 15 mins to Cuiaba for the Pantanal. The city connects well by road with the coast for beaches; there’s a range of choice for Paulistas but foreign visitors rarely choose to go there. It’s a four hour drive to Paratí, the quaint and arty colonial port surrounded by rainforested hills (276 km).
- What's the flight time between Sao Paulo and UK?
Average flight time to São Paulo is 12 hours. Airlines offering direct flights include Latam and British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic from April 2020. There are flights with European connections to many other major cities.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sport events in Sao Paulo?
Reveillon: New Year’s Eve, Fireworks and music accompany the fun.
Carnival: 5 days in Feb/Mar, variable. Apart from the parades in the purpose-built Anhembi sambadrome (the principal days are Friday and Saturday) there are street processions, live bands, costume balls, over-indulgence and general frivolity.
The Brazilian Grand Prix (Formula One) usually takes place during November.
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