Quick facts
Daily budget
For a full category-by-category breakdown of accommodation, food, transport, and activity costs in São Paulo, see the dedicated budget guide.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free, with no advance application needed
- Passport must be valid for 6+ months from entry date
- You may be asked to show proof of onward travel and accommodation at immigration
Health & Safety
- Yellow fever vaccination recommended if visiting rural areas. Tap water is treated but most locals drink filtered or bottled
- São Paulo is a major city, so use common sense. Avoid showing phones on the street. Use Uber instead of walking alone at night
- Emergency: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance). Private hospitals like Sírio-Libanês are world-class. Travel insurance essential
Getting Around
- Metrô São Paulo: 6 lines, clean, safe, R$5.00 per ride. Covers Centro, Paulista, Liberdade, Luz. Runs 4:40am–midnight
- Uber and 99 (local rideshare) are cheap and widely used, and a 20-minute ride costs R$15–30. Always confirm the plate number
- Traffic is legendary, so avoid driving. Use the metro for speed and Uber for areas the metro does not reach
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafes, malls, and padarias. The metro has WiFi at stations. SP Free WiFi is the city's public network
- Buy a Claro, TIM, or Vivo SIM at any phone shop for R$30–50 for 5–10GB prepaid data. eSIMs from Airalo work well
- Download Uber, 99 (rideshare), Google Maps offline, and the Metrô SP app before arrival
Money
- Cards accepted in restaurants and shops in Jardins, Paulista, and Pinheiros. Cash needed at markets, street food, and botecos
- ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) at Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú. Use bank ATMs inside branches for safety. Withdraw R$500–1,000
- Tipping 10% at restaurants (check if "serviço" is included on the bill). No tipping at bars or cafes
Packing Tips
- Layers, because São Paulo weather changes fast. A light jacket year-round. Rain gear essential Oct–Mar (sudden tropical downpours)
- Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home. Use a basic phone or keep your smartphone in an inside pocket
- Comfortable walking shoes, as sidewalks are uneven. A daypack with zips (no open-top bags) for security
Cultural tips
Greetings
One kiss on each cheek (women to women, women to men). Men shake hands. Brazilians stand close and touch during conversation. This is warmth, not invasion of space.
Eating Culture
Lunch is the main meal (noon–2pm). Comida por quilo (pay-by-weight) buffets serve excellent food for R$30–50. Dinner is lighter and later, 8pm at the earliest. Sunday feijoada is a tradition.
Brazilian Time
Social events rarely start on time. A 9pm dinner invitation means arriving at 9:30–10pm. Business meetings start on time. Bars and clubs fill up 1–2 hours after the listed start time.
Phone Safety
Do not use your phone while walking on the street, as phone theft is common. Use it inside shops or restaurants. If you must navigate, stop and step into a doorway. Consider a wrist strap.
Portuguese Basics
"Oi" (hi), "obrigado/obrigada" (thank you), "por favor" (please), "tudo bem?" (how are you?). Portuguese is NOT Spanish, so do not speak Spanish to Brazilians. Even bad Portuguese is deeply appreciated.
Bar & Boteco Culture
Botecos are neighbourhood bars where Paulistanos socialise for hours over cold chopp (draft beer) and petiscos (snacks). Splitting the bill equally is standard, so do not ask for separate checks.
