About São Paulo

The original text I found in the page of Consulate General of Brazil in New York  (see the link below at the end of the page)

Sao Paulo, Parque Ibirapuera - one beautiful place in the city, near the "new center".

General Aspects 

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and in Latin America, the world's third largest after Tokyo and Mexico City. Producing 18% of the Brazilian GDP, it is the economic, financial and industrial heart of the country. The municipality of São Paulo is located in a metropolitan area 3,108 sq. miles large (8,051 sq. km) comprising 39 autonomous cities and a total metropolitan population of approximately 20 million. The metropolitan area lies from east to west over 43.5 miles (70 km) of completely populated territory. The city of São Paulo is the capital of the Brazilian state of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil.

The city is the stage for the main fairs and trade events in the country, therefore attracting considerable national and international public. The hotels are usually fully booked from Monday to Friday. In addition to business, São Paulo offers some of the best museums and restaurants in Brazil. 

Weather

The climate of  Brazil's southeastern region is influenced by meteorological systems (cold fronts) during the whole year. The temperatures of spring and summer (i.e., from October to March) are predominantly high, while during autumn and winter the temperatures are moderate. The rainy period is from December to February, and the drier period is from June to August. The relative humidity of the air during most of the year is around 79%.

Arriving in São Paulo

International flights arrive at the São Paulo/Guarulhos international airport, 18.6 miles (30 km) away from downtown, located in the industrial district of Guarulhos (sometimes the airport is referred to as "Guarulhos" or as "Cumbica"). It usually takes 1h30m from the airport to downtown by car. For more information, the airport's general information phone number is 6445-2945. No subway lines serve the airport, therefore the traveler can either take a cab or a bus to reach the city. "Executive buses", more comfortable than the regular city bus, leave the airport regularly for the city (to Metrô Bresser, Metrô Tietê, Praça da República, Avenida Paulista and Congonhas Airport), and cost approximately USD 6. They leave the airport from Passenger Terminal 1, Wing A, Arrivals, and from Passenger Terminal 2, Wing D, Arrivals.

Taxis from the international airport to downtown may cost anything from USD 15 for a regular cab up to USD 45 for a blue-and-white air conditioned cab. Both leave from Passenger Terminal 1, wing B, Arrivals, and from Passenger Terminal 2, wing C, Arrivals, and operate 24 h.

Car Rental Agencies can be found at:

·         Unidas: phone 6445-2113. Passenger Terminal 1, Arrivals;

·         Hertz: phone 6445-2107. Passenger Terminals 1 and 2, Arrivals;  

·         Localiza: phone 6445-2133. Passenger Terminals 1 and 2, Arrivals;

·         Budget: phone 6445-3020. Passenger Terminal 2, Arrivals;

·         Mega: phone 6445-2180. Passenger Terminal 1, Arrivals.

Four banks at the airport have foreign exchange services:

Banco do Brasil

Phone 6445-2223 and 6445-3521.

Passenger Terminal 1, wing A, mezzanine.

Open from 7 am to 11 pm.  

Banco Itaú

Phone 6445-3079 and 6445-3239

Passenger Terminal 2, wing C, mezzanine

Open from 10 am to 4 pm

Banco Safra

Phone 6445-2860

Passenger Terminal 1, wing B, Departures; Passenger Terminal 1, wing B, lobby; and Passenger Terminal 2, wing C, mezzanine (VIP lounge).

Open 24 h.

Several airlines operate between the U.S. and São Paulo. Approximate flight times are 9 h. from New York and 11:30 h. from Los Angeles. The telephone numbers in São Paulo of the major airlines are:

·         American Airlines - 3159-2366

·         TAM - 0800-11-8383

·         Varig - 5561-1161

·         Vasp - 0800-99-8277

·         United Airlines - 0800 162323/3145-4200

·         Delta -0800-221-121

·         Continental - 0800 55 4777

Some domestic flights, as well as the Rio-São Paulo air shuttle, arrive at the Congonhas airport, closer to downtown. There is a shuttle service (bus) between the airports and between both airports and downtown, operated by the city transit authority.

Transportation

Approximately 10,500 miles (17,000 Km) of public streets crisscross São Paulo, used by 4,800,000 vehicles. There is a rotation system that attempts to improve traffic and air quality in the city, though traffic jams are frequent, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. It is not recommended for the tourist to drive in São Paulo as the traffic is heavy and city, huge. Even the locals need maps to drive in São Paulo.

Subway - The city's subway has 49 stations, with a total of 31 miles (50 Km) of tracks. Its main area of coverage is the southern, eastern and northern sections of the city. It is considered the best means of transportation in São Paulo, as it is practical, clean and comfortable. See the subway map.

Taxi - Cabs can be hailed in the street or requested by phone ("radiotaxis"). Some phone numbers of taxi companies: Alotaxi (229-7688); Atag (5588-4633); Coopertaxi (6941-2555); Guarucop (6440-7070).

Bus - The city has several bus lines serving the whole metropolitan area. However, service is slow due to the city's size and traffic.

Rental Cars - There are several car rental agencies in Brazil, including the internationally known ones. Major agencies include Hertz, Avis, Unidas (in Brazil, 0800-121-121) and Localiza. Rental cars are usually equipped with stick shift (automatic cars are rare and more expensive).

Hotels  

The hotels listed below have been selected by the Guia Quatro Rodas 2000 (one of the best Brazilian tourist guidebooks, in Portuguese only).

*****    Renaissance (3069.2233); Maksoud Plaza (253.4411); L'Hotel (283.0500); Gran Meliá (3043.8000); Sofitel (5741.100); Inter-Continental (3179.2600); Sheraton Mofarrej (253.5544); Caesar Park (253.6622); Transamérica (5693.4511).

****      Grand Hotel Mercure (5088.4000); Hilton (256.0033); Blue Tree Caesar (5508.5000); Crowne Plaza (253.2244); Paulista Plaza (3177.0400); Grand Hotel Ca'd'Oro (236.4300).

***        Pestana - Hotels &Resorts (3059.5000); Estanplaza Nações Unidas (5505.2921); Pergamon (3120.2021); Bourbon (3337.2000); Della Volpe Garden (285.5388); Nikkey Palace (270.8511); Braston (3156.2400); Novotel (5574.9009).

Restaurants 

Some of the best restaurants in town, mentioned by the Guia Quatro Rodas 2000:

·         Bahian regional food - Bargaço (3085-5058).

·         Churrascaria (a kind of steakhouse) - Rodeio (3083-2322); The Place (3082-5800); Esplanada Grill (3081-3199).

·         French - Laurent (3085-5573); Roanne (38887-4516); Le Coq Hardy (3079-3344).

·         Spanish - Los Molinos (2158211); Don Curro ( 3062-4712).

·         Feijoada (Brazilian typical dish) - Bolinha (3061-2010).

·         Italian - Massimo (2840311); Fasano (3062-4000); Spaghetti Notte (3887-8790); Santo Colomba (3061-3588); In Città (3088-6755); Giovedi (3846-9187); Bice (889-9002).

·         Japanese - Suntory (283-2455); Sushi Kin (3842-2225).

·         Seafood - Amadeus (3061-2859); La Trainera (3082-5988).

·         Portuguese - Antiquarius (3082-3015); Marquês de Marialva (3062-1805).

Tourist Offices 

·         Praça Antônio Prado, 9 - Phone 239-5822, ext. 432 and 291;

·         Special Tourist Police: ("Delegacia Especializada de Atendimento ao Turista"): Av. S. Luis, 91 - Phone 214-0209;

·         Departamento de Turismo do Anhembi: Phone 6971-5511;

·         several malls also have tourism information booths.

Museums 

Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo - MASP

Address: Avenida Paulista 1578, 01310-200

Phone: 251.5644

Hours: 11am to 6pm, closed on Monday

With one of the finest art collections in Brazil, this museum displays a substantial collection of both European and Brazilian art from antiquity to the present day. Visitors can see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Raphael among the amazing exhibitions of art.

Pinacoteca of the State (Portuguese site)

Address: Praça da Luz, 2

Phone: 229.9844

Hours: 10am to 6pm, closed on Monday

Is the oldest Museum in São Paulo and a magnificent example of the of 19.th.century architecture, sculptures, paintings, drawings and engravings of Brazilian artist.

Located: Av. Tiradentes 141, Luz - São Paulo City

Museu de Arte Contemporânea

Address: Rectorate, Cidade Universitária

Phone: 3818.3039

Hours: 10am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 2pm, closed on Sunday

The Museum of Contemporary Art displays a variety of works representing a diversity of artistic contemporary trends. This fine collection includes works by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Miró, and many other talented artists. As well as international artists, there are a number of the greatest contemporary Brazilian artists’ works displayed here.

Museu do Ipiranga

Address: Parque da Independência

Phone 215.4588/4307/4145

Hours: 9am to 4:45pm, closed on Monday

This museum belongs to the State University of São Paulo. Its construction was completed in 1890 as a monument to Brazilian independence (it is located on the very spot Brazilian independence was proclaimed). The museum's collection includes more than 125,000 items, among objects, iconography and documentation, ranging from the 1600s up to the 20th Century, and specializes in São Paulo city history.

Sacred Art Museum

Address: Avenida Tiradentes 676, Sao Paulo

Phone: 227.7694

Hours: 11am to 6pm, Sat/Sun 10am to 7pm, closed on Monday

The abundance of significant pieces dating from the time Brazil was a Portuguese colony includes clay images of the 17th century, Baroque oratory, and silver plates. Also, the furniture and works by Francisco Xavier de Brito and Aleijadinho are part of the exhibition of sacred works.

Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM)

Address: Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, portão 10, Ibirapuera

Phone: 5549.9688

Hours: 10am to 10pm, Tue/Wed 12pm to 6pm, Thu 12pm to 10pm, Sat 10am to 6pm, closed on Sunday

This museum has approximately 2 thousand items, including paintings, sculptures and photos, of artists such as Tarsila do Amaral, Anita Malfatti and Tomie Ohtake. The place has a restaurant and a souvenir shop.

Note: The tourist should check the subway map for cultural points; alternatively, you can do cultural Tours by bus - there are 5 bus routes for tourists: Descubra São Paulo ("Discover São Paulo", featuring parks and a cultural route); São Paulo Verde ("Green São Paulo", featuring parks); Roteiro Cultural ("Cultural Route", featuring visits to museums and cultural centers); Roteiro Histórico ("Historical Route", featuring historical points); Roteiro das Igrejas ("Route of the Churches", the city's main temples). Phone 6971.5000

Interesting Places

Ibirapuera Park

Address: Avenida Pedro Alvares Cabral

Phone: 5574.5177

Hours: 6am to 8pm

Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, and landscape artist, Burle Marx, designed one of the largest parks in Sao Paulo. Some of the many delightful features included in this wonderful park are four lakes, a plant nursery, a Japanese pavilion, the Planetarium, the Folklore Museum and art museums.

Zoológico de São Paulo

Address: Av. Miguel Stefano 424

Phone 276.0811

Hours: 9am to 5pm, closed on Monday

Harboring almost 2,000 animals, the city zoo occupies a 8,874,807 sq. foot (824,500 sq. m) area of preserved rainforest. The zoo receives over 1,500,000 visitors every year.

Nightlife

São Paulo's nightlife is maybe the country's most famous one. With options for all tastes and bank accounts, São Paulo offers excellent restaurants , several shows, sophisticated clubs and bars and a sizable schedule of theater plays and movies. You can check the week's schedule at your hotel.

Shopping Malls

·         Morumbi Shopping: Avenida Roque Petroni Júnior, 1089. Phone 5181.5878 - Brooklin.

·         Shopping Ibirapuera: Avenida Ibirapuera, 3103. Phone 5536.0011 - Indianápolis.

·         Shopping Eldorado: Avenida Rebouças, 3970. Phone 3819.0688 - Pinheiros.

·         Shopping Iguatemi: Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2232. Phone 3038.6000/6020 - Jardim Europa

Basic Information

·         Location: Brazil's southeastern region. Latitude: 23º32'51" S; Longitude: 46º38'10" W.

·         Altitude: 2,493 feet (760 m) above sea level.

·         Weather: tropical of altitude. 

·         Population: 10,406,166 (2000)

·         Language: Portuguese.

·         Phone code: (55 11) .

·         Voltage: 110 watts, 60 cycles AC.

·         Currency and exchange: Real, R$

·         Local Time: GMT -3 (EST +2).

This text was originally written by  Consulate General of Brazil in New York