Airport Details
Airport Full Name
Sao Paulo International
IATA Code
GRU
Location:
The airport is located 16 miles (30km) northeast of Sao
Paulo.
Airport Facilities
There are a number of bars, restaurants and shops at the airport. There are banks, currency exchange bureaux and ATMs. There is duty-free shopping before customs for Arrivals, as well as tourist information desks, business facilities and two conference rooms.
Transfers
Taxis are available outside the terminals; visitors are advised to take the prepaid taxis, they are usually a little more expensive but give peace of mind. There is also an airport shuttle bus, which drops off at the main hotels. Public buses are also available.
Contact
Tel: +55 (0)11 6445 2945.
Climate Details (C)
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| Min | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 |
| Max | 27 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 |
Travel Guides: Sao Paulo
General Information
Originally a mission station set up in 1554 by Jesuit priests on the banks of the Rio Tiete, the city of Sao Paulo is today an awesome megalopolis, the industrial and commercial powerhouse of Brazil. The city grew wealthy on coffee cultivation in the mid-19th century, thanks to the rich soil of the region, and the plantation owners took up residence in the bustling regional centre. Gradually the coffee barons diversified their interests and invested some of their wealth in local industry, resulting in a demand for labour and a resultant surge in immigrant population. Today 16-million proud 'Paulistanos' live in the congested, chaotic and cosmopolitan city centre and its sprawling surrounds. Lacking in natural attractions, the city's leisure pursuits are mainly cultural and artistic, and there are some impressive public buildings to delight sightseers, as well as some top-notch museums, theatres, bars, and some of the best shopping in Brazil. Neighbourhoods like Bela Vista and Bixiga are very photogenic, with both ornate mansions and impressive skyscrapers.
Getting Around
In a huge city like Sao Paulo roads can be extremely congested, with peak traffic between the hours of 6am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm. Driving is not recommended in the city, as parking can be as much of a problem as the traffic. There are hundreds of buses covering the city, operating from 5am to midnight, but these can be very crowded and slow during peak hours. Buses won't stop unless hailed, and pickpocketing is also common.
The subway system is usually the fastest option for getting around in Sao Paulo. It has three main lines: a north-south line, an east-west line, and a short central line below the Avenida Paulista. The Avenida Paulista line runs from 6am to 10pm, and the other lines from 5am to midnight.
The Bilhete Único is a smartcard that makes it easy to pay for transport on Sao Paulo's buses, subways, and trains. You can buy them at underground stations, and charge them at newspaper stands with credits for public transportation.
Taxis are freely available and absolutely essential after dark. White cabs can be found at stands near big venues and central areas. Radio taxis are more reputable and favoured by tourists, but are more expensive and must be ordered by phone.
Sao Paulo is large and spread out. You won't be able to walk everywhere, but the various neighbourhoods are easy to negotiate on foot and are usually safe by day.
Activities
Hopi Hari, Sao Paulo
Hopi Hari is an amusement park about 45 miles (72km) north of Sao Paulo, open since 1999. Sometimes described as Brazil's version of Disneyland, the park has several themed areas focusing on European and local culture, and rides including roller coasters, a haunted house, and a Ferris wheel. Taxis to Hopi Hari can be expensive, but there is a bus from Sao Paulo every morning. The park's hours of operation vary according to season, so call ahead or check their website (which is in Portuguese) before you go.
Admission:
R$ 69.90 at the gate, or R$ 56.70 through the
website
Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo
The Parque do Ibirapuera is a large park near the centre of Sao Paulo with many interest sights and activities, including a planetarium, Japanese pavilion, gymnasium, the Obelisk of Sao Paulo (a symbol of the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932), and the Cicillo Matarazzo Pavilion, which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art and is the site for large events like the São Paulo Art Biennial and São Paulo Fashion Week. The park is home to many other museums, including the Air Force Museum, Folklore Museum, and Modern Art Museum. It also has jogging and walking trails, and a picturesque lake.
Opening Times:
The park is open daily, from 5am to
midnight.
Mercado Municipal, Sao Paulo
This imposing neo-Gothic style hall, dating from 1933, is the venue for a huge market, which sells local fruit, vegetables, cheese and other produce. The hall is noted for its gigantic stained-glass windows that depict scenes from the coffee plantations and other agricultural pursuits. The building is north of Praca da Se.
Museu de Arte, Sao Paulo
A large concrete building supported on delicate pillars in the Avenida Paulista houses an important collection of Western art. This museum features the work of the great European artists from the last 500 years, and hosts visiting exhibitions. It is open every day and entry is free on Thursdays. The complex includes a reasonably priced restaurant.
Opening Times:
Open Friday to Wednesday, from 11am to 6pm; and on
Thursday from 11am to 8pm
Admission:
R$15 (adults), Free for children under 9. Other
concessions available.
Football Museum, Sao Paulo
Even for non-football fans, São Paulo's Museu do Futebol (Football Museum) is a must-see tourist attraction. The Brazilian team has been unquestionably the most delightful and successful national team in football's history - and even though it's a well-worn cliché, the sport is supported with religious fervour, right across the country. The beauty of São Paulo's Football Museum, housed within the Pacaembu Stadium (which is itself an icon of the city), is that is takes a modern, interactive approach toward its exhibitions - with holographic displays, touch-screen information panels, and various other multimedia installations. Highlights of the museum include a 'History of the World Cup' section, and a display introducing Brazil's 25 greatest-ever players (the Anjos Barrocos, or 'Baroque Angels'). An appreciation of what football means to the country is vital to getting to grips with Brazilian culture - and São Paulo's Football Museum is a wonderful introduction in this respect. Be sure to budget at least two or three hours at the museum, as there's a lot to see.
Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm (last
admission at 5pm)
Admission:
R$6 (adults), R$3 (card-carrying students and
seniors)
Events
Sao Paulo LGBT Pride Parade
The Sao Paulo Gay Parade is one of the city's major tourist events and is the highlight of a month-long programme of events that includes parties, street fairs, film festivals, shows and the traditional Gay Day at Hopi Hari amusement park. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual) Parade is the biggest event of its kind in the world, having grown from 2,000 people in 1997 to over three million people today, who gather on the streets waving rainbow flags in condemnation of homophobia, racism and sexism.
Date:
7 - 11 June 2012
Venue:
Ave. Paulista
Brazilian F1 Grand Prix
Site of the final race of the Formula One season, the bumpy Interlagos Circuit is not a favourite with the drivers, but for spectators it is one of the most thrilling and vibrant of circuits. The stands are often filled with Brazilian green and yellows as locals of Sao Paulo cheer on their resident native and 2006 winner Filipe Massa. The track is 10 miles (16km) away from the city centre.
Date:
25 - 27 November 2011
Venue:
Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos)
Venue:
2pm - 4pm
