Brazil

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São Paulo

Brazil's giant of culture and food

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to São Paulo Plan a trip around Brazil

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Country: Brazil

Photo: Wilfredor, CC0

São Paulo is Brazil's largest city and the most populous in the Americas, a sprawling metropolis known for its world-class restaurants, museums, street art and intense nightlife. It is a cosmopolitan melting pot of Italian, Arab, Japanese and other immigrant communities, with a cultural scene that rivals any global city.

Largest cities

São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Brasília
Salvador
Fortaleza

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Brazil
Capital: Brasília
City population: 11.5M
Population of Brazil: 214.2M
Country area: 8,515,767 km²
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL) · 1 USD ≈ 5 BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Calling code: +55
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 761 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 127V / 220V
Emergency numbers: 190 (police) · 192 (ambulance) · 193 (fire)
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	28°	28°	25°	24°	22°	22°	24°	27°	25°	26°	27°
Low	19°	19°	18°	16°	14°	13°	11°	13°	15°	16°	16°	18°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$35
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$87
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$235

Plan a trip to São Paulo

Top things to do

≈ $15
São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)
See the renowned collection of Brazilian and international art in the iconic building on Avenida Paulista; closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
- Half day
- Avenida Paulista and Jardins
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Ibirapuera Park
Walk or rent a bike in the city's largest park, home to museums and a planetarium; free entry, but some attractions inside charge.
- Half day
- Ibirapuera and Vila Mariana
- Good for kids
≈ $6
Pinacoteca do Estado
Explore Brazilian art from the 19th century to today in a beautiful historic building; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Downtown (Sé/República)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Liberdade Street Market
Wander the Japanese neighbourhood, sample street food and shop for Asian goods; the weekend fair is the liveliest time.
- Half day
- Liberdade
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Municipal Market
Taste fresh produce, try the famous mortadella sandwich and buy spices; go early to avoid crowds.
- Half day
- Downtown (Sé/República)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $6
Football Museum
Learn about Brazil's football history and see memorabilia; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Ibirapuera and Vila Mariana
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Serra do Mar State Park day trip
Hike or take a guided tour in the Atlantic Forest just south of the city; bring sturdy shoes and rain gear.
- Full day
- Ibirapuera and Vila Mariana
- Good for kids
Free
Santos day trip
Take a bus or train to the coastal city of Santos to see its historic centre and beaches; the journey takes about 1.5 hours each way.
- Full day
- Downtown (Sé/República)
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

British citizens can visit Brazil without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism; other nationalities should check their own visa requirements, as many can enter visa-free or with an e-visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, and you should ensure it is stamped on entry. For the most current rules, check the official Brazilian government immigration page or your nearest Brazilian embassy.

Official website

From the airport

Most international flights land at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), 40 km from the centre. Non-airline shuttle buses run to Praça da República, Paulista/Jardins, Barra Funda and Tietê bus stations (about 1 hour, R$42), while regular bus 257 goes to Tatuapé Metro station in 35 minutes for R$6.15.

Getting around

The Metro and CPTM trains are fast and safe for long hops, while buses and apps cover the rest; traffic can be heavy, so allow extra time.

Local tips

Brazilians are informal; a simple 'obrigado' (men) or 'obrigada' (women) goes a long way.
Carry small notes for buses and markets; credit cards are widely accepted but not everywhere.
Avoid displaying valuables in crowded areas and at night; use apps for late trips.
Summer (December–March) is hot and rainy, winter (June–August) is mild and drier; pack layers as days can vary.

Areas worth knowing

Downtown (Sé/República)
Avenida Paulista and Jardins
Liberdade
Ibirapuera and Vila Mariana
Vila Madalena and Pinheiros

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 29, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK