Advice on what to see and do in Rio and Sao Paulo

Hello Matt.

Welcome to Expat.com!

Hope you'll be given some ideas of places to visit.

Thank you,
Aurélie

Hi Matt,

First of all read my posting "A Gringo's Survival Guide for Brazil"  https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107384  and take all the safety tips to heart, that will ensure an uneventful and totally enjoyable visit.

Having lived quite some time in São Paulo I can tell you that there is an unending list of things to do and see and I'm not even going to try and tell you ALL of them here. LOL

A few of the must sees are MASP, São Paulo's world famous art museum on Avenida Paulista, If you have access to a car or enjoy treking go up to the top of Pico Jaraguá for the most spectacular panoramic view of São Paulo. If you're into nightlife and the bar scene there are lots of clubs in the Itaim Bibi neighborhood of São Paulo, lots of gringos hang out there. Parque Ibirapuera is something that you should also take in on a Saturday or Sunday, great place for a stroll and if there's any special exposition at ORCA in the park you may want to take that in too since they are generally quite interesting. Avenida Paulista is always exciting and full of action, great area for shopping around too.

In Rio, although I've not been there often, there is the beach at Copacabana and Praia do Botafogo is also very nice.

Anywhere you go in either city, just take care, be safe and you will love every place you lay eyes on.

Cheers,
William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog

Thanks guys. William, thank you for the great ideas! I certainty don't mind a good trek if I can look forward to a great view so will definitely check out Pico Jaraguá!

Matt

Hi Matt,

I can tell you from personal experience you will love the view from Pico Jaraguá, but it is not too difficult to get to the top. Of course it is easiest by car, however many people hike or bike to the top. It is the highest point in Greater São Paulo and the second highest in the entire state. On a clear day the view is mind boggling. The only better view you will ever get of the city is arriving by air. Parque Estadual do Jaraguá has some nice nature trails where you will most likely encounter some of the local fauna, the macaco prego (capuchin monkey) is one you most surely will find, birds of various species, etc. You can get there by public transport by taking a bus from Terminal Pirituba. If you send me a PM when you are in São Paulo and let me know where you're staying I can give you directions how to get to Pirituba by train/subway and from there you walk across the street to the bus loop.

Google Maps is a great tool for finding out how to get to the different tourist sites you'll want to see. It will even plan your route for you. Buy a 'Bilhete Único' bus pass at any bus loop, Casa Loterica, or many other locations and put credits in it. You will save a great deal of money on public transit because it allows features that cash fairs do not, like transfers for instance. Even though you will be using it for a short time it will be money well spent.

Cheers,
William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog