4–8 Dec 2023
Instituto Principia
America/Sao_Paulo timezone

Getting around in São Paulo

Visiting São Paulo

Since 2021, the city of São Paulo (capital of the state with the same name) has become the largest cities in the Americas, with more than 12 million people. Consider this page your tourist guide while visiting São Paulo.

 

The Language

By now you probably know that Portuguese is our official language, but you can get around the main tourist attractions with English. But, just as in any other place, knowing a few keywords can only help. Don't be shy about using google translate to learn how to pronounce por favor (please), obrigado (thank you, or obliged). And the name of the city, São Paulo (click to hear it), has a nasal sound that is very particular to our language. Practicing it can be a lot of fun! (certainly for people around).

The public transport

Yes, you can call an Uber, but you can also use the subway, or as we call it, metrô. Here's a link to the map. The closest line to us is Green, and you can change lines as many times as you want with a single ticket. Tickets can be bought from machines at the entrance of every station but, to be honest, the best way is to install the e-ticket app (look for "TOP SP METRO"). There you can by tickets with your credit card and use a QR code to board the stations. Also, Google Maps can tell you know only which lines to used, where to change, and what times each train leaves and arrives. It is all pretty easy actually, so feel free to go around during your free time.