São Paulo is known for its endless traffic jams, especially at rush hour, on Fridays and before holidays.
	Although it's convenient to use taxis, you can also use the subway, walk, or even hire a driver. Avoid using buses in the beginning. They are often crowded and the bus system is difficult understand
	Never promise that you will be in time for an appointment if you go by car; traffic jams are unpredictable, in São Paulo.
	Study the route before leaving home or your office. Use the subway whenever you can; it's fast, clean, and safe and you may reduce your journey by up to 30 minutes.
	Choose a home close to your work. You'll save time avoid traffic jams and improve your life quality.

São Paulo has a humid subtropical climate. Temperatures reach up to 30°C (86°F) during summer (December, January and February) but rarely fall below 10º C (50ºF) during winter (June, July and August). However, thermic sensation may be around 5ºC (40ºF) due to cold winds. Rainfall is abundant, especially in the warmer months, and somewhat scant between June and August. Neither São Paulo nor the nearby coast has ever been hit by a tropical cyclone, and tornadic activity is uncommon. During late winter, especially August, the city is subject to a phenomenon known as "veranico", which consists of a bout of unusually hot and dry weather, sometimes reaching temperatures as high as 28°C (82°F). On the other hand, relatively cool days during summer are also fairly common; on such occasions daily high temperatures may not surpass 20°C (68°F).


EATING OUT

São Paulo is renowned for its multi-cultural gastronomy. You'll find everything, from regional Brazilian cuisine to the most exotic kinds of food: Portuguese, Spanish, Argentinean, Chilean, Peruvian, Cuban, but also French, Italian, German, Lebanese, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, as well as all types of vegetarian food and of course the famous Churrascarias for those who enjoy meat, just to name a few! São Paulo has become a global gastronomic capital in the last years and offers a wide range of different foods at all price categories


NIGHTLIFE

São Paulo has a very active nightlife, which incudes nightbikers, nightrunners, nightsingers, and nightchefs! If you enjoy dancing to music from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, or Techno, if you like Popular Brazilian Music, Indian, Arabic, or Classical Music, you'll find it all in São Paulo! Just plan well ahead where to go, do reservations and buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines. Best evenings to go to the ´baladas´ (parties) are from Wednesday to Friday! On weekends, people visit friends, prepare a barbecue at home, have Pizza at home with the family on Saturday evening, or travel to the sea or countryside to relax


SHORT STAYS

If are coming on business for a few days, try to plan your logistics in advance. This is very important because of the long distances and the often bad traffic conditions. Taxis may become expensive when they get stuck in traffic jams. Make a list and write down the complete address of the places you need to visit, and try to stay in the district you will mostly work in. If you are not familiar with São Paulo, ask a local colleague to help you. You will save time, money and have more time left to relax, socialize after work, etc. If you are coming with a group of people, hiring a full-time shuttle may be the cheapest and most comfortable choice.


VOLTAGE & COMMUNICATION

Voltage is usually 127V/60Hz in São Paulo, but many homes often have a 220V/60Hz plug. Other cities in the state of São Paulo may use 220V/60Hz (e.g., Jundiaí and São Jose dos Campos). It's best to ask someone before you plug in an electronic device. Use a global plug-adapter, since plug formats may vary from the ones in your country.The domestic and international airports of São Paulo have WI-FI coverage. If you need to make presentations, bring your own notebook, since local computers operate in Portuguese. Although São Paulo is an international city, service staff (taxi drivers, waiters, etc.) may not always speak English or have a basic level. Be patient and ask a local colleague to help you to give them the necessary instructions.


PLACES

Pinacoteca do Estado de S?o Paulo (largest Art Museum of the State of S?o Paulo) subway station: Luz. Estaç?o da Luz, Sala S?o Paulo e Mercado Municipal (Luz Train Train Station, Concerts Room Sala S?o Paulo (one of the most modern of the world) and the Municipal Food Market at LUZ subway surroundings.

Parque do Ibirapuera (no subway close, closest one is SANTA CRUZ or BRIGADEIRO station). Huge Green park with museums and there are often cultural actitivies on weekends and holidays.

Parque do Ibirapuera (no subway close, closest one is SANTA CRUZ or BRIGADEIRO station). Huge Green park with museums and often cultural actitivies there on weekends.

Terraço Itália: highest tower of S?o Paulo. Take your time and have a nice dinner or lunch on a weekend there.Nearby REPUBLICA subway station.

MASP Modern Arts Museum of S?o Paulo: TRIANON subway station Feira de Artes da Praça Benedito Calixto (Arts Market of Benedito Calixto Square). Closest subway is VILA MADALENA station. Brazilian handcraft, food and musico n Saturday afternoons.

Feira de Artes da Praça Benedito Calixto (Arts Market of Benedito Calixto Square). Closest subway is VILA MADALENA station. Brazilian handcraft, food and musico n Saturday afternoons.

Reserva Cultural: high quality movies, caffeterie, restaurant French style in the heart of the city. BRIGADEIRO subway station.

Jardim Botânico de S?o Paulo: huge beautiful garden of th city. Closest subway: JABAQUARA station. A táxi may be necessary.

USP City: the universitary city of S?o Paulo. Closest subway VILA MADALENA. A taxi or a bus from there may be necessary.

Liberdade (Japanese Town): LIBERDADE subway station

Bexiga District (Italian Gastronomic district): for a Saturday night dinner or Sunday Italian nice lunch in the most Italian district of S?o Paulo. Closest subway is CONSOLAÇ?O station ad from there you may need a taxi. On Sundays there is an antiques market in this area.

Republica Handcraft Market: from Brazilian Stones to Brazilian ´naiif paintings´ and Brazilian food. REPÚBLICA subway station, on Sundays all day long.

Independence Museum of Brazil: Ipiranga District. It is a magnific palace museum with a huge garden built by the Portuguese Emperor at the time of Brazil colony. In this area Republicans have proclammed pacificly the Independence of Brazil from Portugal almost 200 years ago. On Sundays there is an arts market where Brazilian typical food can be found. Closest subway station is Dom Pedro II. From there a taxi is needed (about 10 minutes)

Aquarium of S?o Paulo: very close to the Independence Museum. Nice and new construction.

Shopping Malls: Ibirapuera, Iguatemi, Paulista among many douzens of another ones . From North to South there are many options. Soon there will be a new one at Vila Olimpia, one of the most fashionable districts of S?o Paulo currently, in the heart of one of the main business areas of the city.

Restaurants: do ask tips for locals. The range of options is big: thousands of options. Everybody is glad to give recomendations depending on the type of food you prefer and the location preferred.


LIVE & WORK AT... 

Southern - Downtown City
 
Itaim  & Itaim-Bibi
This is one of the city‘s fastest growing regions in terms of commercial buildings, bars and  restaurants, the neighborhood is getting used with the foreign community.   The region‘s large  number of bars, serviced apartments,  restaurants,  night  clubs,   coffe places, shops, banks,  make it ideal for night owls but unsuitable for big families.  It is not far from the biggest  park of the city: Ibirapuera. Location: Southern city, same area where domestic airport is located. Main avenues: Juscelino Kubitscheck, Brigadeiro Faria Lima, Santo Amaro.

Brooklin
Located in the South of the city between Av. das Nações Unidas, Av. Santo Amaro, Av. Bandeirantes and Av. Roque Petroni Junior, Brooklin is an upper-middle class neighborhood. It is popular among the foreign community and has a large German influence. The region has good commercial infra-structure and contains green spaces.The region is mostly residential, with a mixture of houses and apartment blocks. The avenue Engenheiro Luis Carlos Berrini is located in the middle of Brooklin and douzens of contemporary business towners can be found in this part of Brooklin. Enjoy D & D Shopping there ! Main avenues: Engenheiro Luis Carlos Berrini, Águas Espraiadas, Roque Petroni Junior, Santo Amaro, Portugal, Bandeirantes.

Vila Nova Conceição, Vila Olimpia & Moema
The park Ibirapuera has such a dominating presence and it is located  nearby Moema. These thee districts have today the most expensive square metter of Brazil and the most ´desired´ areas to live by paulistas & foreigners. There are many bars, restaurants, serviced apartments, shops, fashionable places, business buildings and by the end of 2009 the Shopping Vila Olimpia. Moema counts on the Shopping Ibirapuera and Vila Olimpia and Itaim-bibi districts arealdy count on the elegant Shopping Iguatemi. There are many high-class flats and apartments in the region due some  references points:  Ibirapuera park, the proximity with the domestic airport,  with Itaim area and the facility to have access to the main points of the city from this area, although traffic is heavy. Main avenues: Santo Amaro, Ibirapuera, 23 de Maio, Hélio Pellegrino, Juscelino Kubitscheck, Brigadeiro Faria Lima.

Jardins, Jardim Paulistano, Consolação (South-downtown)
These areas are located closer to the ´new downtown´ or Paulista Avenue, a sort of Brazilian Wall Street. Due to its proximity to Avenida Paulista it is a popular region among short term visitors to the city, who have a large selection of hotels and serviced apartments to choose from. The neighborhood has a good commercial infrastructure with the main attractions being Rua Oscar Freire, Rua Haddock Lobo, Rua Bela Cintra and Alameda Lorena, one of the city`s fashion centers and the Shopping Paulista, na elegant shopping mall. There is also a large variety of bars and restaurants to choose from and good public transport facilities including the subway. The main problems are traffic, pollution and noise, but the 4 subways stations of Av. Paulista help a lot. Enjoy a good Brazilian coffee in one of the hundred coffee places of this area. Main avenues: Paulista, rua da Consolação, Estados Unidos, Lorena, Santos, Oscar Freire

If you are coming on a business mission and  have any questions or suggestions,
drop us a line to:

business@saopaulohelp4u.com