FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Sao Paulo

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in São Paulo each year.
The main ones are listed below.

This springtime commemoration of the Holy Eucharist was introduced by the Portuguese. This is an all-day affair in São Paulo, with processions of children dressed in white and streets covered in sawdust, leaves, dried flowers, coffee grounds and chalk.

Brazil's independence on this day in 1822 is celebrated in São Paulo with concerts and other stage shows, street parties, dances and fireworks.

On this day, families gather to pay tribute to the departed and decorate their tombs at the cemetery.

This day celebrating Brazil's most popular dance form also marks the official start of the summer holidays. As in other cities across the country, it is celebrated in São Paulo with numerous samba performances, concerts and revellers dancing in the streets.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Sao Paulo

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	19/66	27/81	290/11.4	Not the best period to go
February	19/66	28/82	272/10.7	Not the best period to go
March	18/64	27/81	190/7.5	Not the best period to go
April	16/61	25/77	88/3.5	Not the best period to go
May	14/57	23/73	72/2.8	Good period to go
June	12/54	23/73	70/2.8	Good period to go
July	12/54	23/73	57/2.2	Good period to go
August	13/55	23/73	47/1.9	Good period to go
September	14/57	24/75	78/3.1	Not the best period to go
October	15/59	25/77	140/5.5	Not the best period to go
November	16/61	26/79	120/4.7	Not the best period to go
December	19/66	26/79	190/7.5	Not the best period to go

São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport

The airport is located about 22 kilometres (14 miles) north-east of the city centre.

• Four terminals:
  • Terminal 1
  • Terminal 2
  • Terminal 3 (Air France)
  • Terminal 4
• Getting from the airport to São Paulo and back:
  • By car
    • Accessible via Rodovia Ayrton Senna and Via Presidente Dutra national roads. Travel time can take from 30 to 60 minutes.
    • Several short- and long-term parking facilities are available, located opposite each terminal (BRL 10 to BRL 15 for up to 1 hour, BRL 40 to BRL 55 for 1 day).
    • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals halls of Terminals 1 and 2.
  • By rail
    • The closest metro station to reach São Paulo's city centre is Tietê (on line 1). It connects the airport to this bus station in 30 minutes for about BRL 4.
  • By bus
    • Buses connect the airport to the city centre about every 15 minutes. The travel time is 50 minutes and the fare is BRL 35.
  • By shuttle bus
    • Airport Bus Service operates executive buses (with relaxing seats, televisions, power connections and other amenities) to various destinations within the city centre. The fare is BRL 42.00 and the trip takes about 40 minutes.
  • By taxi
    • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals halls at each terminal. The trip to the city centre takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and costs around BRL 100.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +55 (0)11 2445 2945
• Website: http://www.gru.com.br

GETTING AROUND Sao Paulo

Although São Paulo is a sprawling metropolis, its public transport system is efficient and can be used to reach most points in the city. However, traffic can be quite congested, especially at rush hours.

By rail

São Paulo's excellent Metrô system is by far the fastest way to get around the city. There are five main colour-coded lines: Line 1 (Blue), Line 2 (Green), Line 3 (Red), Line 4 (Yellow) and Line 5 (Lilac). Metrô trains run daily from 4:40 a.m. to midnight (with service extended until 1 a.m. on Saturday nights). A ticket for a single trip costs BRL 3.50.

Useful tip: The Bilhete Único, a smart card system for public transport within São Paulo, allows you to purchase an integrated ticket, valid for up train, Metro and any of the city's municipal buses.

By bus

Hundreds of bus routes criss-cross the city, operated by both private and state-owned transportation companies. Dedicated bus lanes have been set up in the median area of the city's main thoroughfares, but service can be very slow at times, especially at rush hours. A single ticket costs BRL 3.20.

Important: Bus drivers only stop to pick up passengers if they wave as the bus approaches.

By commuter rail

São Paulo has eight commuter rail lines with stations in the city's main districts. A single ticket costs BRL 3.80.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful in São Paulo and especially useful when night falls, not only for their sheer practicality, but for safety reasons as well. A ride in the city centre costs about BRL 20.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in São Paulo, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.) as well as brochures and maps.

• Address: Avenida Paulista 1853 São Paulo
• Telephone: +55 (0)11 2226 0400
• Website: www.cidadedesaopaulo.com

The Brazilian national tourist board provides a wealth of information on São Paulo.

• Website: www.visitbrasil.com

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Brazil is the Real (BRL).

1 CHF = 3,92 BRL

1 BRL = 0,26 CHF

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

Brazilian authorities require proof of vaccination against yellow fever for travellers arriving from the following countries: French Guiana, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The original of the vaccination certificate must be presented. Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are mandatory. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Drinking tap water is not safe. It is recommended to drink bottled water.

Administrative formalities

As a general rule, foreign nationals must apply for visas before travelling to Brazil. However, Brazil has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries.

If you hold dual Brazilian and French citizenship, you will be subject to Brazilian law from the moment you enter Brazil and until your departure. For this reason, if you are a dual national, you will need to present your Brazilian passport to enter and leave Brazil.

To find out if you will need a visa for travel to Brazil, visit the consular section of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.portalconsular.mre.gov.br/apoio-no-exterior/observatorio-de-inadmitidos

Useful contacts

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in São Paulo, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

intl. access code + 55

+ phone number without the 0 (calls to São Paulo)

-5 : 00
of time difference with
Geneva

Start of daylight saving time: third Sunday in October

End of daylight saving time: third Sunday in February

Banks

Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Government offices

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

127/220 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In São Paulo as in the rest of Brazil, a 10% service charge is included in the bill at bars and restaurants. However, it is not considered out of place to leave the waiting staff a little extra tip if you are particularly pleased with the service. If no gratuity is added to the bill, tipping between 10 and 15% is customary.