Reasons to visit São Paulo

São Paulo is a metropolis of many faces. At the same time it is the most important economic center of Brazil, it is the capital of culture in Latin America; with leisure, knowledge and entertainment offers that match to no other. A typically urban metropolis covered in a vast green area.

An innovative and vanguard city that preserves in its architecture, arts and gastronomy a past composed by the mix of over 70 nationalities. And, in parallel to preserving traditions, it keeps itself modern. Tuned in is the correct term to describe it. To know better the city only two things are required: an open mind and the willingness to dive in head first in this city that never sleeps.

Cultural Attractions

The world of arts and theatrical plays stands out in São Paulo. Latin America’s cultural center, São Paulo has 101 museums, 282 movie theaters, 146 libraries and around 40 cultural centers; besides several popular festivities and fair that take place in its streets. Besides this, the city has 182 theaters. They are places for spectacles of all artistic veins, which range from Broadway musicals super productions to vanguard theater.

Diverse Gastronomy

Diversified and extremely rich gastronomy; the city gathers some of the best restaurants in Latin America and the world – amongst its over 15 thousand restaurants and 20 thousand bars. There are national and international options, which reach every customer. Besides the culinary of 52 countries, São Paulo is famous for its food trucks and “gastronomic little fairs”, which nowadays take over the streets of the city.

Food Truck. Foto: Divulgação.

Agitated Nightlife

São Paulo’s nightlife is a faithful portrait of the city: frenetic, creative and democratic. In 2014, columnist Mark Manson, from CNN, elected the Paulista capital as one of the ten best places in the world in parties, nightclubs and other night time programs. São Paulo was the only Brazilian city to figure on the list. It has room for it all, ranging from sertanejo, R&B, rock´n´roll and samba; electronic music, pop and forró. Vila Madalena, Itaim Bibi, Vila Olímpia, Downtown and Barra Funda are some of the busiest neighborhoods for those who like to enjoy the night in the capital.

São Paulo is diversity!

São Paulo is the major destination of LGBT public of Brazil and one of the most renowned in the world. The city has one of the largest Gay Pride Parades of the planet and it has been elected the best gay destination of the world by the international website GayCities.com. It has an infinity of places with open arms to diversity, among parties, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, stores, among others gayfriendly establishments.

City of Geeks and Nerds

Besides gathering the most diverse nationalities, cultures and urban tribes, São Paulo is also the biggest geek and nerd stronghold in National territory. The number of fans of this universe is growing each day and there are always news related to the theme. For the fans of this culture, the city is a paradise. Here you can find streets that sell technological equipment, pop culture stores, and even art galleries focused on drawing and illustration; besides mechatronic dinosaurs, interactive museums, a variety of thematic stores and bars, libraries specialized in comic books and HQs, alternative meetings of cosplay groups, RPG (Role Playing Game) players and swordplay – combat that mixes martial arts and sword fighting.

Geek House. Foto: Divulgação.

The largest shopping center of the country

The state capital is the main destination for shopping tourism in the country, with luxurious options but also extremely cheap shopping centers. There are over 50 malls and around 60 thematic market streets – ranging from electronics to chandeliers. One of the most charming addresses of São Paulo is Rua Oscar Freire. There you will find over 200 stores of National and International brands. If the purpose is to get a good bargain, head to Rua 25 de Março – the largest outdoors market conglomerate of Latin America, with over three thousand stores. Also around downtown, Bom Retiro and Brás neighborhoods are specialized in clothing. And in Itaim, at Rua João Cachoeira, and in Moema, at Rua Bem-Te-Vi, there are excellent outlets.

Nature, animals and green areas

Even being the largest economic center of Brazil, and a mainly urban metropolis, São Paulo preserves its areas of contact with nature; where it’s possible to do sports, spend outdoor’s time and get to know several kinds of animal species. Some of these places are São Paulo Zoo, São Paulo Aquarium, Butantan Institute and the 111 parks spread out around the city, like Ibirapuera, Juventude, Água Branca and Parque Estadual da Cantareira.

Butantan Institute. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/ SPTuris.

Ecotourism Site

Around 50 kilometers away from Downtown São Paulo it is possible to find a landscape with lots of green, tourist attractions and living with nature. On the location, which stays at the extreme South of the City, you will see waterfalls, parks, Native American villages, ecumenical centers, observation decks and even a butterfly nursery.

Butterfly House of the Ecotourism Site of São Paulo. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/ SPTuris.

The area is part of the Parelheiros and Capela do Socorro districts and includes also part of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Brazilian natural heritage, and two APAs – Áreas de Proteção Ambiental (Environmental Protected Areas) of the city called Bororé-Colônia and Capivari-Monos; which together occupy 25% of municipal territory. Under the registered name of  São Paulo Ecotourism Zone, the main goal of the city’s administration is to ensure the preservation of the region and at the same time promote it as a sustainable tourism site.

Pet friendly capital

In São Paulo, animals can also feel at home. Nowadays, there are several parts of the city in where the company of these pets is allowed and there are also special products for them; like in Le Botteghe di Leonardo, which has created the ice cream Peppino, specially for dogs. Besides this, on March 2015, the City Hall has sanctioned a law that authorizes the presence of domesticated animals (inside proper transportation cases) inside city buses. Pets are conquering their territory in the city! There are also plenty of hotels ready to host these beloved family members.