About São Paulo
São Paulo, the largest city in the Americas and the fourth-largest in the world, is home to over 20 million people. Known as Brazil’s financial and cultural powerhouse, the city boasts a diverse population with strong Italian, Portuguese, and Japanese influences. With its bustling business district, vibrant nightlife, and world-class cultural institutions, São Paulo stands as a dynamic hub for commerce, arts, and innovation. It is also renowned for its culinary scene, with an array of international flavors reflecting the city’s multicultural heritage.
From Encarnación to São Paulo
First, I had another 6-hour bus ride from Encarnación back to Ciudad del Este. After crossing the border bridge on foot and getting my exit and entry stamps, I was back in Foz do Iguaçu. From there, I called an Uber to take me to the main bus terminal. Buses depart to many major cities in Brazil, like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Florianópolis, around the clock. Booking a bus was easy, although 70 USD was a little bit more than I expected to pay. Once I boarded the bus, I realized that I had actually been sold the only premium seat on the bus – which explains the price. I wasn’t mad at this, since it was truly premium: The seat was fully horizontally reclining (unlike the other seats on the bus, which only reclined into an “almost”-horizontal position). It also had a small TV, and they served me plenty of snacks before the trip started, making me feel like a true VIP. After a very comfortable night on the bus, I arrived in São Paulo the next day around 11 a.m.
Getting around São Paulo
São Paulo is, of course, not very walkable due to its sheer size. I still managed to accumulate a lot of steps since I simply prefer exploring cities on foot rather than in taxis. São Paulo has a subway network, but it is not very dense. Some places can easily be a kilometer or two from the next subway station. Using it is simple as you don’t need a special card; you can simply buy tickets at every station. Another way to get around the city is, of course, by Uber, although I highly recommend avoiding this during rush hours. A 20-million-person city has traffic issues most of us cannot imagine.
Is São Paulo dangerous?
Walking around São Paulo during the daytime is absolutely safe. Avoid sketchy areas, don’t enter favelas (which are far away from the city center anyway), and you’ll be good. Be extra careful around the old city center, as there are many strange characters in the area, mostly poor souls who have drugged their minds into other spheress from which they’ll never return, leaving only their fragile bodies as a sad shadow of their former selves. They can be unpredictable, which makes the area a bit more dangerous. Avoid this area at night.
Everywhere else, the biggest danger are probably pickpockets, so keep an eye on your belongings (turn your backpack into a frontpack while you are in Brazilian metropolises) and don’t stare too long at your phone without being aware of your surroundings – unless you want to get rid of it.
Things to do in São Paulo
- Avenida Paulista is a bustling avenue home to cultural institutions like the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), shopping malls, and a variety of restaurants and cafes, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
- Ibirapuera Park is a vast green space in the heart of São Paulo, ideal for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature, and it also features museums like the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) and the Oca Pavilion.
- São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) is a world-class art museum located on Avenida Paulista, known for its impressive collection of Western art and vibrant temporary exhibitions.
- Liberdade Neighborhood is São Paulo’s Japanese district, offering authentic Japanese food, cultural shops, and vibrant street markets, with a lively atmosphere, especially on weekends.
- Pinacoteca do Estado is an iconic art museum housed in a beautiful old building, showcasing Brazilian art from the 19th century to contemporary works, with a lovely garden to enjoy.
- Municipal Market (Mercadão) is famous for its incredible food stalls, where you can try the iconic mortadella sandwich and pastel de bacalhau, perfect for food lovers.
- Beco do Batman (Batman Alley) is a vibrant open-air gallery in Vila Madalena, filled with street art from local and international artists, creating a colorful and dynamic atmosphere.
- São Paulo Cathedral (Catedral da Sé) is one of the largest neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world, located in the historic center of São Paulo, with impressive architecture and a peaceful interior.
- Football Museum (Museu do Futebol), located inside the Pacaembu Stadium, is dedicated to Brazil’s passion for football, with interactive exhibits showcasing the country’s football culture. The only thing in this list I didn’t do personally, since I couldn’t care less about football. But I guess since it it Brazil, I should at least mention its existence.
São Paulo pictures:
