Sao Paulo Travel Answers

You will land in São Paulo sunday and going up to Rio at saturday. São Paulo city is colder than Rio de Janeiro. However there is not snow in São Paulo state. You shall put on a double-breasted in order to walk when audience is over. São Paulo is not a joyous city like Rio but nightlife is fine. There are many good restaurants and museum there. You may find asian food on japanese, korean, and chinese restaurants. The main spots is São Paulo city are: * Av Paulista (nightlife) * MASP (museum) * Pinacoteca do Estado (museum) * Museu do Ipiranga * Parque do Ibirapuera * Instituto Butantan Your choice for Sheraton Rio Hotel was unfortunately. There is a favela very near to this hotel. So, when you go for a walk in Rio be caution, and, do your best in using taxi. There are many spots in Rio. The main touristic places are: * Corcovado * Pão de Açucar * Copacabana/Ipanema * Barra da Tijuca * Cidade do Samba * Niteroi by ferry Notes: 1)If you are not talkative in portuguese language use a agency tour in order to be in a group. 2) If you are a soccer rooter you may be advised of brazilian championship happening. Pay attention at newspaper where the games will be played in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The 2009 Brazilian Soccer Championship is really thrilling... 3) The Praia do Vidigal near Sheraton Hotel is polluted. Don't use it to go for a dip. Use the Grumari beach or Barra da Tijuca beach. Cassiovieggore

Since you appear to be from a warm climate, you might find a Brazilian winter in S.P. somewhat chilly, but for those from most of the U.S. and Europe, it is comfortable and may require only the lightest of sweaters at night. Certainly this is the case in Rio, where the days may be warm (shorts and T-shirts for us), except perhaps on the heights (Corcovado, Sugarloaf), and the nights pleasantly cooler. As to the Sheraton, it is OK to walk to the beach in Leblon/Ipanema or the restaurants on Dias Ferreira in Leblon during the day. Stop at the Mirante de Leblon for a coconut water while enjoying the sunset. But take taxis at night. A recent visitor for Carnaval who stayed at the hotel reported that everyone in the commercial area at the base of the favela was very kind and treated her well when she decided to patronize those shops and lunchonettes, but only you know your comfort level. Taxis are cheap and it's quick to get into Ipanema, and really not too far to any of the tourist must-sees. To orient yourself, the sitw www.ipanema.com has good maps and info on sights, neighborhoods, music, etc. Be sure to spend a night at Carioca da Gema or another live samba club in Lapa. (plenty of taxis to and from) Happy travels.

Thank=you Cassio and Bahiana for the update on S.P.Really appreciate this info.Whats a favela?I will be careful througout. Jon

Favela = slums

favela = in Rio, a hillside community, home of the hard-working folks who rent chairs at the beach and clean your hotel room

You've already been updated on the weather in São Paulo. I just wanted to say that, if you still have the choice, you might want to consider changing hotels. As Bahiana pointed out, "favelas" are not necessarily dangerous, they are working class communities, that's all. Granted, there has been a lot on TV recently, but most are not criminals. In any case, favelas are almost everywhere in Rio... My point is, althought the hotel you booked is great, you will depend on cabs for anything, as it is right in the middle of nowhere. When in Rio, I always prefer to stay in Leblon (my first choice) or Ipanema (second). These are the nicest areas in Rio (in my opinion) and you have plenty to do within walking distance. I would consider Copacabana last, as I think it is rather seedy. Cheers.