A Digital Nomad Guide to São Paulo

Brazil Visa for São Paulo

In order to enter Brazilian territory, it is necessary to have a passport valid for at least six months. The obligation to present a tourist visa to travel depends on the relations between Brazil and the different countries. The visa for Brazil is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can be requested in the representations that Brazil has abroad (Embassies and Consulates). The value of the visa varies by country.

For stays shorter than 90 days, the citizens of the following countries don’t need a tourist visa: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland do not need a visa , Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Holland, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Malta, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican and Venezuela.

The list of countries that require a tourist visa to enter Brazil includes: Afghanistan, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belize, Cameroon, Canada, Czech Republic, China, North Korea, Dominica , Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mongolia, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Sudan, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia.

Beginning June 17, 2019, citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada and Japan will be able to travel to Brazil without a visa. The measure benefits holders of a valid passport traveling for tourism, business, artistic or sports activities. The initiative also covers travelers transiting through Brazil. Visitors will be granted a stay of up to 90 days, which can be extended once for the same period. 

Culture and Food in São Paulo

The best restaurants in São Paulo compete with those of any world culinary capital. Among its great gastronomic diversity is the Mercadão, as the local people call the São Paulo Market. It is located in a building founded in 1933, with a wonderful architectural construction. Inside it offers a wide variety of quality ingredients and several restaurants with dishes that are icons of local cuisine. 

For lovers of gourmet gastronomy, chef Alex Atala mixes modernist gastronomy with traditional Brazilian ingredients in D.O.M. It is one of the best restaurants in the world, according to Pellegrino, World’s 50 Best Restaurants. D.O.M. has a Michelin star and serves authentic dishes, including a green tomato jelly with edible flowers.

Another amazing cuisine experience with a Brazilian flavor is Maní, which is how the Brazilian Indians called cassava. Here the famous chef Helena Rizzo, who has held a Michelin star since 2015, creates a menu transforming traditional recipes into a sensitive perception of flavors and textures.

Skye, the rooftop restaurant-bar of the trendy Hotel Unique, also has an ambitious menu. French-born head chef Emmanuel Bassoleil prepared an extensive menu with seafood supremacy. The bloody mary ceviche stands out, which is mixed with a drink of the cocktail.

São Paulo is the largest Japanese city after Tokyo and therefore a must for sushi lovers. The most prominent restaurants are Nagayama for sushi and Kinoshita for a more complete version of Japanese cuisine in a more intimate setting.

Whatever you choose, I’m sure you will be amazed by the experience. It is an extraordinary discovery of native ingredients and authentic dishes, beautifully transformed for your delight. Bon appétit!

São Paulo Nightlife

Sao Paulo is one of the few cities where you can party until four in the afternoon. Nightlife runs 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Of course, the city is not cheap. Expect to spend a good amount of cash for what you choose to do.

To experience traditional Brazilian places, you should go to a boteca or a balada. A boteca is a neighborhood bar, a community gathering space where you can drink during the day. Bar Astor in Vila Madalena serves a cold and creamy chopp while Veloso is the ideal boteca for caipirinhas. Baladas are club bars with space to talk, a smoking room and dance floors. At Kingston Club you will find live bands while Alberta # 3 is for lovers of rock, vinyl and Bloody Mary.

In the city center, Rua Augusta is the center of nightlife with bars, restaurants, sex shops, strip clubs and several small nightclubs. Pinheros also has samba venues and craft beer venues like Emporio Alto dos Pinheiros and Cervejaria Dogma. 

If you want to dance, you can go to Bar Samba in Vila Madalena where the bands start playing early. The clubs start to fill up at 2 or 3 in the morning but they are worth the wait. D-Edge is considered one of the best electronic music clubs in South America. For EDM, hip hop, funk and soul head to Lions Nightclub in the Republica neighborhood, while for flashback parties of the eighties and nineties in an underground environment the best place is Milo Garage. If it’s salsa and Latin pop you want, head to Rey Castro in Vila Olímpia or Azucar in Itaim Bibi. For luxury clubs, you should go to Itaim Bibi and Vila Olímpia, two rich districts to the south. 

São Paulo’s LGBTQ parties are among the largest and most intense on the continent. The Week nightclub tops the list with its massive hedonistic parties every Saturday, followed by Danger Dance Club with drag queen shows, EDM and go-go dancers. You can also find a string of gay-friendly bars along Rua Frei Caneca.

If you like improvised environments, Mamba Negra is a rebellious collective that organizes free dance music parties in abandoned buildings downtown. You can also find out about DJ duo Sevagem who host free parties on the streets of Sao Paulo where they mix disco, samba, house and more. The Nos Trilhos event space is a train yard that hosts massive outdoor parties in Mooca, with tropical rhythms enlivening the night until dawn.

If you’re not tired yet go to Love Story, the last of the after-hours spots in the city center where all the party goers gather to the beat of house music after the last disco has closed.

Things to do in São Paulo

Sao Paulo is a city of business tourism, so it is more a metropolis to live in than to visit. However, there are some places that you can visit in addition to experiencing its nightlife and music. 

• Avenida Paulista

  Avenida Paulista, 2.7 kilometers long, is an unmissable avenue through the heart of Sao Paulo. Along the avenue you will see the main corporate buildings and cultural institutions of Sao Paulo, hotels, restaurants and glamorous shops. Its places of interest include the Itaú and Sesi Cultural Centers, the Sao Paulo Art Museum, and the National Complex where the famous Cultural Library is located, considered the largest bookstore in Latin America.

• Sao Paulo Museum of Art

  If you like museums, you can stop at the Sao Paulo Museum of Art, which houses invaluable art collections and is one of the most important in Latin America. Its main collections include European paintings and sculptures from the 13th century to the present, with artists such as Rafael Sanzio, Botticelli, Nicolas Poussin and a set of 73 bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas.

• Brazilian Museum of Sculpture

  Another important museum is the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture. Its entrance is free and it is located inside a spectacular architectural work in reinforced concrete with water ponds and gardens.

• Pinacoteca del Estado

  Another option is the Pinacoteca del Estado. Located in the Jardin de la Luz area in an 1897 building of Italian eclecticism. It corresponds to one of the most important art museums in Brazil, housing a collection of about six thousand works that narrate the history of Brazilian painting among the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Soccer Museum

  If you prefer a more popular museum, the Soccer Museum is located in the Pacaembú Stadium. There are 17 rooms that house more than 1.500 images and 6 hours of video, which recall the most important events in the history of this sport in Brazil, with an immense collection of trophies. 

• Patio del Colegio

  Among the historical buildings is the Patio del Colegio, the first construction built in Sao Paulo during the 16th century by the Jesuits as a center to catechize the indigenous people. Restored in 1979, today it houses a museum with more than 600 testimonial pieces of that time such as altars, colonial paintings, Jesuit iconography and old documents.

• Copan Building

  You can also visit the Copan Building, a must for architecture lovers. It is the largest concrete building in all of Brazil and the largest residential building in Latin America. It was designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1954 and is a masterful example of the experimentation of a vertical city with 140 meters high, 37 floors, 1,160 apartments and 5,000 residents, as well as a shopping center with 72 stores and an evangelical church.

• Municipal Market

  For lunch I recommend the Municipal Market. Inaugurated in 1933, it corresponds to a huge building in an eclectic style, decorated with a collection of 32 stained glass windows made by the Russian artist Conrado Sorgenicht Filho representing various stages of food production. Its interior is divided into two floors where fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat, cheeses and other products are sold. There are also a number of places that offer ice-cold food and beer at affordable prices, as well as gourmet restaurants.

• Oscar Freire Avenue

  Oscar Freire Avenue is another street to walk. It is a glamorous avenue located in the upper region of the city, distinguished by Mystery Shopping International magazine as one of the eight most luxurious streets in the world. There you will find the stores of brands such as Diesel, Shoulder, La Perla, Le Lis Blanc, Tommy Hilfiger, Forum, Osklen, Camper, H. Stern and Ellus, among others.

• Japanese Quarter

  In the Japanese Quarter, known as Barrio Liberdade, you will find most of Sao Paulo’s Asian community. It is a neighborhood full of charm, decorated with typical lamps and with shops with oriental products and restaurants that offer Japanese, Chinese and Korean food.

• Banespa Tower

  One of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city can be found in the Banespa Tower, a skyscraper in the Historic Center built in 1947 with 150 meters high. Admission is free, the wait is long and the stay in the viewpoint is a maximum of five minutes. It is essential to carry identification to enter.

• Ibirapuera Park

  For a quieter afternoon, you can enjoy the Ibirapuera Park. Known as the Latin American Central Park, it corresponds to the most important park in Sao Paulo. It surrounds three lagoons and has various walking paths, areas for picnics and various cultural sites, among them the Ibirapuera Auditorium designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer.

• Sala de Sao Paulo

  Before leaving the city, try at least once to go to a concert at the Sala de Sao Paulo. It is located in the old building of the Sorocabana Train Station. To visit the interior of the building, you can take a guided tour. To attend one of the theater’s regular concerts it is advisable to buy tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.

Finally, I emphasize the active and luxurious nightlife of the city. Sao Paulo has a night that doesn’t die until the first hours of the morning. Also, stay on top of the monthly cultural agenda. There are usually massive celebrations in its parks such as the famous Brazilian Carnival, Gay Pride and the Junine Festival, as well as festivities that reveal the surprising mixture of cultures that coexist in Sao Paulo. You will find Japanese, Chinese, Italian and all kinds of parties.

Best Time to Visit São Paulo

Sao Paulo’s climate is subtropical. Winters are mild and relatively dry and summers are rainy with moderately high temperatures that increase due to the concentration of buildings.

Average maximum temperatures range from 28 ° C in February, the hottest month, to 21 ° C in June and July. Average minimum temperatures vary between 11 ° C in July, the coldest month, and 18 ° C in January, February and March.

As Sao Paulo is close to the sea, it is humid due to the oceanic winds, but they have a level of humidity that still allows you to travel the city. However, from May to September the lack of rains due to the phenomenon of thermal inversion makes those months very cold and with a dry climate.

The rains are abundant, on average, there is about 1,400 mm of rainfall per year. It rains more between December and February while the driest months are between June and August.

The most recommended month to enjoy is January, which reaches an average temperature of 21.1 ° C.

São Paulo for Families

Brazilians are often described as warm and welcoming, and the country as a whole is known for its great love for children. Your family will be well received from day one. 

Make sure to apply for your family’s CPF cards (Brazilian Identity Cards) at the Brazilian consulate in your country before leaving. You can’t sign a lease until you have one and your kids need it to sign up for school. 

Homeschooling is illegal in Brazil and can have serious consequences. Public schools are usually not very good, overcrowded, and children need to master Portuguese in advance. There are also many private schools but the best quality education option is an international school. You can find school options at the Council of International Schools and the International School Database. 

While quality schools are expensive, you can balance the expense by looking for local products and services. For example, if you shop at local markets instead of exclusive grocery stores, you will get the best fresh Brazilian produce for a fraction of the price. 

When choosing your neighborhood consider that the cheaper you get, the more dangerous it is. Expensive neighborhoods will maintain your family safe.

Living in São Paulo

São Paulo Transportation

Sao Paulo is a city where the car is the means of transport par excellence. Local policies have always favored car use over public transport. Furthermore, owning a vehicle is a sign of economic power in São Paulo society. This is the main reason for the big traffic jams on all the main roads. In order to move in the city, you have to be very patient.

The metro and the bus are the two main means of public transport. São Paulo has about 7.000 urban bus lines and it is one of the few cities that has a GPS tracking and synchronization system for its units; which facilitates the user to verify all the information about stops and transport schedules. The problem is the heavy traffic in the city. Although in recent years specific lanes have been set up for buses and the quality of service has improved considerably, moving by bus through the most central areas of São Paulo is still slow and even somewhat risky due to the high rate of robberies. Bus tickets can be purchased at SPTrans points of sale, some shops or at lottery houses. You can also pay the ticket price directly on the bus itself. The price of the bus ticket is 3 reals (0,55 USD)  and allows you to travel up to four times for three hours.

The Sao Paulo Metro has 5 lines and runs from 04:40 to 00:00 am. Moving around the city by metro is one of the best options, since São Paulo’s stations are modern and the network works excellently. The price is also 3 reals.

The metropolitan train service is in charge of 93 stations and six different lines, covering a total of 339.3 kilometers. The Metropolitan Trains not only cover the city of Sao Paulo but also cities that are within the metropolitan area.

The taxi, like the bus, is a slow and expensive option to get around the city. There are several types: common, special, radio-taxis and luxury ones. They charge a fixed amount at the beginning plus the mileage corresponding to the journey. 

Fitness and Health

Brazilian gym industry is the second largest in the whole world. Brazilians are known for taking amazing care of their physical appearance, and a big part of that is getting to the gym regularly. There is an abundance of different types of gyms and fitness classes to explore in São Paulo, from full-service gyms to spinning studios, or boot camps.  

High-End Gyms and fitness clubs include in your membership personalized consultation with a trainer, swimming pool, different classes like cross fit, martial arts, yoga, Bootcamp, and more. They also usually offer massage and physical therapy. The best ones in the city are BodyTech, Bio Ritimo and Reebok Sports Club.

Bodytech is a network of high-end gyms. The most exclusive by far is the location in the Iguatemi Shopping Mall on Faria Lima Avenue, considered by many to be the most high-end gym in the country. This location features everything from complimentary snacks, nutritional evaluation, complimentary massages, on-site physical therapy, and a member’s only café.  In addition, the machines are state of the art including the newest and latest treadmills and spinning bikes. Bio Ritimo is the second-largest high-end gym chain in Brazil with a more relaxed feel to it than Bodytech. Reebok has two locations in São Paulo: Vila Olimpia and Morumbi. Here you will find pools, cafes, saunas, massage rooms and a very expansive free weight and machine floor, with countless treadmills and other cardio available. 

Going for a ride or a run in one of São Paulo’s parks is a good choice if you want a little exercise. For cyclists there are usually plenty of rental options at Parque Ibirapuera and Parque Villa-Lobos.

Participating in organized sports isn’t usually a huge part of a paulistano’s regime. An exception is soccer, which you will see being played in most parks. Brazilians also love volleyball, both the traditional kind and the beach version. The country has a top-class national competition and hosts regular international matches.

São Paulo People

Learning about Brazilian culture is an exciting task. Paulines are naturally curious, adventurous, and enthusiastic. They are often described as warm and welcoming. The willingness of people to speak is enormous, from the supermarket’s cashiers to the bus drivers and the people you meet on the street. They also love children and usually play with them even if it is the first time they see them or if they are in a public place.

Public displays of affection are also very common. Couples of all ages can be seen passionately kissing and touching each other on trains, restaurants, bus stops, escalators and it is totally accepted.

A key piece of body language is the “OK” sign. The hand gesture that means “OK” in North America, Australia and Europe is not well accepted in Brazil. It is considered incredibly rude and means something far more vulgar. Always check with a friend the Brazilian meanings of body gestures before using them.

The football rivalry is fierce. You can cheer on your usual team except if they play against Brazil or if your usual team is Argentina. Be careful not to offend someone, soccer is a serious matter for them.

Trying to speak Portuguese is considered courteous and makes people have a friendlier attitude towards you. Keep in mind that women often greet each other with a kiss on the cheeks, while men shake hands. Greet with a hug is also common among acquaintances, but never kiss another man if you are a man.

Another way of proceeding that may seem strange is that Brazilians, when visiting other people’s houses or even businesses, instead of knocking on a door or window to attract attention they clap outside the house.

They are also usually very religious and as much as it seems an open society regarding sex, it is not in appearance at least. Families often want to maintain their reputations and many attend churches frequently.

Brazilian culture may seem similar to ours but it is different enough to confuse you at first and to be exciting to discover. Enjoy it!  

São Paulo Insurance and Medical Care

The public health system in Brazil, called Sistema Único de Saude (SUS), is free for nationals and foreigners according to the constitution. Many SUS doctors also work in the private sector and they are highly qualified. The problem of SUS is not the quality of care itself, but access to care and necessary supplies. Hospitals often have too many patients as they are sent there from all over the country for treatment. The system is often underfunded and this can affect the quality of services. Some hospitals lack staff or air conditioning, which is important due to the temperatures during the summer.

The quality of care in private hospitals is equivalent to or even higher than the European or North American standard. The best hospitals are internationally recognized, with the best equipment and highly qualified doctors, often trained abroad.

Today, about 25% of the Brazilian population has private health insurance. I recommend you hire health insurance to be able to use the private system that offers high quality care, although at high prices. A doctor visit typically costs between 50 and 100 USD, a dentist consultation around 50 USD, and a simple surgical procedure can cost as much as 5.000 USD.

International health insurance in Brazil is often a better option for expats than a local health plan. It offers you the freedom to choose doctors, hospitals and the possibility of having international coverage. It is always important that your health insurance complies with local legislation.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Insurance guide.

Jobs in São Paulo

It is not easy to find a job in Brazil as a foreigner. To get any paid job you will need to have a work permit (Autorização de Trabalho). Working visas can be obtained through your embassy or consulate under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.

In addition, there are more Brazilian university graduates seeking a job in the country than job offers. The locals have the advantage of being fluent in the language, willing to work for less money, and understanding bureaucratic processes.

Speaking Portuguese fluently is essential, as is having at least a university degree. The contacts you can get are also necessary. Networking is usually key, although the best option is to find a job with a company in your home country and then be sent to Brazil.

A good starting point in your job search is the classified sections of the daily and weekend newspapers. The National Entrepreneurship System (SINE) offers work of all kinds throughout Brazil with centers without prior appointment. You can also search online at: www.bne.com.br, www.classificados-brasil.com, www.telelistas.net, www.latpro.com, www.learn4good.com, www.clickemprego.com.

Another option is to look for work as a teacher of a foreign language but you will need an international teaching certificate and work experience. English, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese are the most in demand. To work at the beaches of Brazil as an au pair, they will require similar experiences and references.

The mining and petroleum industries are always in need of engineers, geologists, and mining specialists. If you have experience in these areas you can try your luck with the relevant companies.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.