Travel tips · São Paulo · Brazil
São Paulo travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Agent010, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Paulistanos are known for working hard and eating and going out late. The city's culture is a product of migration: Italian, Japanese, Lebanese, German and northeastern Brazilian communities shaped its food and neighbourhoods. People are warm and informal, but daily life is fast-paced.
Key facts
- Language
- Portuguese
- Currency
- BRL
- Plugs
- Type N and C sockets; mostly 127 V in São Paulo city (some 220 V), 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents drink filtered or bottled water, and…
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance (SAMU), 193 fire
Things to know
- Greet with a handshake on first meeting; friends greet women with one kiss on the cheek in São Paulo.
- Learn a few words of Portuguese; replying in Spanish is understood but not the same language.
- Queue properly at bakeries and bus stops, and offer priority seats to older people, pregnant women and parents with children.
- Football loyalties (Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Santos) run deep; avoid wearing rival shirts near stadiums on match days.
- Keep phones discreet in public, and avoid using them near the kerb, a habit locals adopt.
- Book Museu do Ipiranga ahead: Free timed tickets are released online and can run out at weekends; reserve ahead.
- Many cultural centres, including Japan House, IMS Paulista and SESC units, are free; several museums also have a weekly free day.
Tipping
A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant and bar bills and covers the tip. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is common; tip hotel porters and tour guides a few reais.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Obrigado / obrigada | Thank you (said by a man / a woman) |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Tudo bem? | How are you? / All good? |
| Quanto custa? | How much is it? |
What to wear
Paulistanos dress more smartly than in Rio, with darker city clothes; beachwear is out of place. Bring a light jacket, as temperatures can drop sharply in the evening, especially in winter.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type N and C sockets; mostly 127 V in São Paulo city (some 220 V), 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents drink filtered or bottled water, and visitors should do the same.
- Emergency number
- 190 police, 192 ambulance (SAMU), 193 fire
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city; prepaid SIMs need a CPF tax number or passport registration, so many visitors prefer an eSIM.
- Time zone
- America/Sao Paulo
Phone snatching and pickpocketing are the main risks, especially in the Centro, around Luz and Sé stations, on Rua 25 de Março and along Avenida Paulista. Keep phones out of sight near the kerb, avoid empty streets in the Centro after dark and use ride-hailing apps at night.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Brazil's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in São Paulo?
A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant and bar bills and covers the tip. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is common; tip hotel porters and tour guides a few reais.
+Can you drink the tap water in São Paulo?
Tap water is treated, but most residents drink filtered or bottled water, and visitors should do the same.
+What plugs are used in São Paulo?
Type N and C sockets; mostly 127 V in São Paulo city (some 220 V), 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in São Paulo?
Portuguese.