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Brazil

São Paulo travel guide

What to watch out for, what to see, what to eat, and how to get around — written for people arriving for the first time.

Last updated 2026-08-09

Avenida Paulista and MASP, São Paulo
Photo: Rodrigo_Soldon · CC BY 2.0 · source

Common scams in São Paulo

10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in São Paulo, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Common scams in São Paulo — and how to avoid them →

Top places to visit in São Paulo

6 places worth your time in São Paulo, with what each is actually like and when to go.

Top places to visit in São Paulo →

Top food to try in São Paulo

6 dishes to eat in São Paulo, what is in them, and where they belong.

Top food to try in São Paulo →

Traditions and customs in São Paulo

5 customs and traditions in São Paulo — what they are, and how to take part without causing offence.

Traditional things to do in São Paulo →

Getting around São Paulo

How to travel around São Paulo — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Getting around São Paulo: transport and taxi apps →

Rules to follow in São Paulo

3 laws, restrictions, and customs in São Paulo that travellers often break without knowing — and the fines or consequences that follow.

Rules to follow in São Paulo — laws and customs travellers must know →

Emergency contacts in São Paulo

4 emergency services in São Paulo you may need as a traveller — tourist police, ambulance, fire brigade and more. Save these before you go out.

Emergency numbers in São Paulo — police, ambulance, fire and tourist helplines →

Best places to shop in São Paulo

5 markets, malls and shopping districts in São Paulo — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.

Best places to shop in São Paulo — markets, malls, bazaars and street shopping →

Scam entries describe patterns reported in an area. They are not findings of fact, and they do not allege wrongdoing by any named business.