Overview Known for its architecture and many skyscrapers, Sao Paulo is the largest (and most populated) city in Brazil. In fact, it's the third-largest city in the world! This city is located in southeast Brazil and has about 20 million people within it. Sao Paulo is actually located on a plateau and is part of a region known as the Brazilian Highlands.
A few interesting notes on this city: Locals from Sao Paulo are called paulistanos. A well known nickname for this city is Sampa. This area was originally founded as a village way back in 1554 by Jesuits, but it was not officially a city until 1711. Sao Paulo is among the richest cities is the world and has become a leading financial centre, with the largest stock exchange in Latin America (which is the third largest in the world). Sao Paulo is also one of the world's leading coffee exporters.
There is a lot of rainfall through the year in this tropical area of the world, especially during the summer. The hottest months of the year, on average, are January and February (with average daily highs of 27.3°C and 28°C, respectively). The coldest months of the year in Sao Paulo are, on average, June and July, with an average daily high of 21.8°C.
Cruise lines use the nearby port city of Santos, Brazil as a port of call. This allows their passengers to gain access to Sao Paulo and its surrounding areas. Santos actually has the largest seaport in all of Latin America. Santos is located about 49 miles away from Sao Paulo.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Sao Paulo, Brazil (via Santos):
South America
Transatlantic Cruises
Currency The official currency of Brazil is the Real (BRL). Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency. US Dollars will be accepted at some places as well - don't expect your change to be in US Dollars though, so bring small bills if you plan to pay that way. ATM machines are readily available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. English is understood by most of the locals that work in stores, hotels and other tourist-related venues.
Tourist Attractions While walking around this city you're sure to see the locals hard at work. Be sure to check out Avenida Paulista, one of Sao Paulo's main avenues. Along this avenue you'll find many museums (such as the Sao Paulo Museum of Art), stores and cultural centers.
Sao Paulo is well known in Brazil as being a great place to find many international dining choices. This is because of the long history of immigrants coming to this area from all over the world. While in this city you can find Italian, Middle Eastern, German, Portuguese and Japanese restaurants (among others).
Mercado Municipal is a historic market place in Sao Paulo. It's a great place to check out if you want to see the locals shopping, or if you want to do some shopping yourself.
The Cathedral of Sao Paulo, known as Catedral de Se, is a symbol of the city. This Neo-Gothic church is the largest church in Sao Paulo and its original construction started back in the early 20th century.
Museu Paulista is the site where Brazilian independence was declared in 1822. Today this building is a Brazilian history museum.
Pinacoteca do Estado houses one of the best art collections in Sao Paulo. Some of the best Brazilian art of the 19th and 20th century can be viewed there.
The Municipal Theatre of Sao Paulo is one of South America's most important theatres. It's also a popular landmark in Sao Paulo. Both the City Ballet of Sao Paulo and the Sao Paulo Municipal Symphonic Orchestra makes its home in this magnificently designed building.
Ibirapuera Park is the second largest park in Sao Paulo, after Parque de Carmo, and is the home to a jogging and walking track, the city's former city hall, a convention center, a planetarium (the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere) and many museums.
Port Location The cruise terminal is located in the nearby major port city of Santos. Sao Paulo is about 49 miles away from Santos. There should be many taxis available at the pier, to take you wherever you want to go.
If you're planning to travel from Santos to Sao Paulo (which is what most people do), a nice option is to take the cruise line's transfer service.
