Life in São Paulo

Life in Brazil

Brazil is one of  the largest countries on the planet, with an estimated population of  more than 209 million people. The weather in Brazil can vary a lot depending on the region, but it rarely dips below 20°C (68°F), apart from in the mountains and southern regions. The climate varies from hot and dry to humid and sticky in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon. Famous for its coastline, the Amazon, Pantanal and the Iguaçu Falls, Brazil is also known for its colourful Carnival.

Brazilian main dishes consist of rice and beans, but typical foods vary by region. Try feijoada, pastel, pão de queijo, moqueca and more. Brazil is also famous for its football, Volleyball and the typical Capoeira Brazilian martial art.

Things to see and do in São Paulo

• Ibirapuera Park 
• The Modern Art Museum (MAM)
• The Afro Brazilian Museum
• The Contemporary Art Museum (MAC).
• Villa-Lobos Park 
• Botanical Garden of São Paulo
• São Paulo Zoo 
• MASP - Art Museum of SP 
• Catavento - Science Museum 
• MZUSP - Museum of Zoology of SP 

The city is renowned for the quality and diversity of its food due to its diverse mix of immigrants such as Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Korean and the Middle Eastern.

Other Places to Visit

If you wish to get away from the city, the closest beaches are on the south side of São Paulo, known as Baixada Santista. There is Santos, 70 km away, Guarujá, 88 km or Bertioga, 106 km away from SP.

The best beaches are on the north coast  of SP in places like Ubatuba, Ilhabela, São Sebastião and Maresias.

If you wish to visit some countryside towns, head to Campos do Jordão, Holambra, Brotas and Paranapiacaba.

Paranapiacaba was designed in a special model style. Because of its remoteness, the town has been well preserved. The buildings were all of English Victorian style, built with wood and bricks.The houses in the town are all made of timber and looks like an area of Surrey. The town was laid out in the 1890s in a grid pattern. Even though Brazil attained independence in 1822, its architectural styles were influenced by Portuguese colonizers and by the British. 

We hope you find this guide useful, but you will always find a friendly Paulistano around to give you some friendly tips if you need them.