The Travel Don’ts of Sao Paulo
Greetings from Sao Paulo, Brazil! Most travel blogs tell you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do. With these Sao Paulo tips, you will be better prepared to visit this mega-city of Brazil.
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #1: Don’t Expect to Get Anywhere Quickly
Sao Paulo has anywhere from 14 to 25 million people who live in and around Sao Paulo, and there are over seven million cars in the city. Traffic in Sao Paulo is insane; do not rely on Google maps or any traffic app to reliably tell you how long it will take to get around. Allow yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go, especially if you have a plane to catch.
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #2: Don’t Miss the Mercado Municipal
The municipal market of Sao Paulo is one of the top things to see in Sao Paulo. The building itself is really cool and then inside, there are stalls selling everything you can imagine. It’s a great place to try new meats, fruits, vegetables and spices. For a foreigner visiting Brazil, it’s a fascinating peek into local culture, and they are more than happy to cut up fruits to let you try them. There are fruits that you’ve likely never even seen or heard of in the States, which is a really cool experience. My favorite thing to eat at the Mercado Municipal is the Mortadella Sandwich. It’s like a fancy bologna sandwich, but so much better!
Read: Five Things You Have to Eat in Brazil
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #3: Don’t Be Afraid to Eat Non-Brazilian Food
Sao Paulo is a melting pot, so there are tons of great cuisines to choose from, in addition to traditional Brazilian dishes. From Italian to Lebanese to Japanese, there’s an amazing mixture of flavors and cultures in Sao Paulo. There are over one million Japanese people in Sao Paulo, so of course, the Japanese food is good! Brazilian food varies by region, too, and Sao Paulo is a great place to try food from all areas of Brazil.
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #4: Don’t Forget to Keep Your Wits About You
Being in such a big city, it’s important to pay attention and keep an eye on your watch, your wallet and any other valuables. As far as driving, we don’t recommend it. There’s too much traffic and parking can be stressful, with strangers trying to extort money to watch your car. The Metro is a good way to get around, but it can be crowded, and pickpockets are common.
Watch: Safety Advice for Traveling in Brazil
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #5: Don’t Expect a Beach
Brazil is famous for amazing beaches, but Sao Paulo is not on the beach. The culture of Sao Paulo is very different from the natural beauty and beach culture of other areas of Brazil. Visiting Sao Paulo is all about culture, shopping, eating, museums, gardens and other urban adventures.
Sao Paulo Tourism Don’t #6: Don’t Forget to Download Uber
Taxis can be a bit crazy, so Uber is the best way to get around. Even the locals will tell you to use it when you need to get around Sao Paulo.
Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Sao Paulo is a fantastic vacation destination. The people, the culture and the food are all great. If you’ve been to Sao Paulo, feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below!
For more Brazil travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: