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written by Tamara Hinson
updated 26.04.2023
São Paulo, a.k.a the world's fourth-largest city, will become more accessible next year, and a buzzing, sprawling metropolis, visiting it should be on your list of things to do in Brazil. This is all well and good until it comes to finding a hotel. Luckily, we've come to the rescue with our guide on where to stay in São Paulo, whether you're keen to seek out the city's hippest neighbourhoods or its lesser-known gems.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Brazil, your essential guide for visiting Brazil.
Brazilian Beaches: Copacabana, Botafogo and more
Begin at Foz do Iguaçu, where you will stand in awe of the huge Iguaçu Falls. Next up, we'll head to the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, home of the legendary Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo beaches, and of course, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
customize ⤍Blissful Brazil
Welcome to a lavish journey that marries adventure with style, featuring stays in carefully chosen four-star hotels. This reinvigorating trip will have you sightseeing in São Paulo, gazing at the spectacular Foz do Iguaçu falls and relaxing on Rio's finest beaches before you know it.
customize ⤍Breathtaking Brazil: Rio, Beaches and Waterfalls
Explore the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, home to Ipanema and Copacabana beaches; experience the stunning Foz do Iguaçu National Park and see the world’s largest waterfalls system; immerse yourself in cultural Salvador, the magnificent former capital of Portugal’s New World colony.
customize ⤍Extraordinary Brazil - Paraty & Iguaçu
Combine adventure and nature in Paraty with the stunning Iguaçu waterfalls. Your trip starts in the colonial town Paraty, Costa Verde's main attraction. Jeep rides, beaches, and a lot of culture are part of the program. Afterwards, fly to Foz do Iguaçu and see the falls from both Argentina & Brazil.
customize ⤍Jaguars in North Pantanal
Spend a week in a lodge in North Pantanal with boat tours, walking trails, horseback riding and an unforgettable Jaguar expedition. Experienced wildlife guides are available in the lodge to explain more of the fascinating fauna and flora around you.
customize ⤍Pure Wildlife - North Pantanal & Amazonia
Discover the world's largest continental flood area - the Pantanal, one of the richest places in biodiversity. Continue your wildlife trip to the Amazon River. Your lodges throughout the trip are located right in nature, with easy access to lodge trails around.
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A trip filled with history, culture and nature spread out over three beautiful and unique countries, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Visit some of the most stunning sites, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Iguazu Falls and UNESCO World Heritage site Colonia del Sacramento, during this 14-day trip.
customize ⤍Luxury Holidays in South America
Experience the best of Argentina and Brazil in luxury. From vibrant Buenos Aires to breathtaking Argentinian Falls, stunning Bariloche, and untamed Patagonia. Conclude in Rio de Janeiro's iconic beaches before immersing in cosmopolitan Sao Paulo.
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Have you ever imagined tasting the delights of Amazonian cuisine? Uncover the secrets and spices of this unique region that has yet to be discovered by the world and go on a journey that aims at bringing about positive impacts.
customize ⤍You’ll find Higienópolis a few kilometres north of Avenue Paulista, São Paulo’s main avenue. It’s within easy walking distance of the city centre and has had its own metro station (Higienópolis-Mackenzie) since 2018.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Higienópolis
Welcome to a lavish journey that marries adventure with style, featuring stays in carefully chosen four-star hotels. This reinvigorating tailor-made trip to Blissful Brazil will have you sightseeing in São Paulo, gazing at the spectacular Foz do Iguaçu falls and relaxing on Rio's finest beaches before you know it.
This up-and-coming area is known for its independent boutiques, bars, and street art-splattered walls, making it a great choice for travellers seeking a lively and vibrant atmosphere. One of its biggest draws is the Beco do Batman (Batman Alley), a short street with high walls covered in some of São Paulo’s best street art.
We’re also fans of the weekend market, where you can pick up everything from antiques to art. Although Vila Madalena is a great base for explorations of São Paulo – you’ll have some of its best restaurants and shops on your doorstep. It’s got fewer hotels than other neighbourhoods, but its popularity has seen several hotels open in recent years.
It’s a great base where to stay in São Paulo for first-timers – the avenue has several metro stations, and some of the city’s most colourful neighbourhoods, including Liberdade, where you’ll find the world’s biggest Japantown (outside of Japan), are within easy walking distance.
Sadly this square, dominated by the neo-gothic São Paulo cathedral, has become somewhat of a magnet for pick-pockets, so keep a close eye on your belongings. Centro’s other big draw is the huge Mercado Municipal de São Paulo, crammed with restaurants, bars and market stalls selling every type of food and drink under the sun.
It’s popular with travellers keen to retreat to luxurious digs after a frenetic day pounding São Paulo’s streets, and many of its hotels, including the Four Seasons, have the added advantage of stunning views over the Pinheiros River.
Estaiada Bridge in São Paulo © Thiago Leite/Shutterstock
These exclusive residential neighbourhoods have long since taken over from the city centre as the site of most of São Paulo’s best restaurants and shopping streets. Many residents never stray from their luxurious ghettos – protected from Third World realities by complex alarm systems, guards and fierce dogs.
Paulista Avenue - Sao Paulo © Shutterstock
The most popular attractions in the area include the São Paulo Art Museum (MASP), Ibirapuera Park and the São Paulo Cultural Centre.
Nossa Senhora Achiropita Church at Bixiga neighborhood - Sao Paulo © Shutterstock
This normally quiet neighbourhood springs to life in the evening when people throng the central Rua 13 de Maio, and the streets running off it, which are lined with cantinas, pizzerias, bars and small theatres. During the day on Sunday, there’s a lively flea market, Mercado de Antiguidades e Artesanato do Bixiga, at Praça Dom Orione.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Bela Vista
Built out of British iron, Italian marble, Latvian pine, Portuguese tiles and Belgian stained glass, these mansions were soon abandoned as the city centre took on the brash and commercial character of its present-day form. The Praça da República itself – once home to a bullring – has a green area with a small lake where turtles sunbathe and rows of fortune tellers throw shells and cards to part the gullible from their reaís.
Sao Paulo Republica’s Square © Shutterstock
Brazil, among other things, is great as a beach holiday destination. Read our guide to the best beaches in Brazil.
Ready for a trip to Brazil? Check out the snapshot of The Rough Guide to Brazil.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Brazil without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
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Top image: Estaiada Bridge in São Paulo © Thiago Leite/Shutterstock
written by Tamara Hinson
updated 26.04.2023
Tamara is a former snowboard instructor who's been a freelance travel writer for 12 years. She loves snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking and scuba diving, and the regions she knows best are Asia, America and Africa. Europe-wise she knows Germany and France very well. In normal times she does two or three trips a month. Follow her on Twitter @tamarahinson
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Brazil
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