SAO PAULO: the city and the SOUTH BRAZILIAN COAST
SAO PAULO DOWNTOWN AND MAIN DISTRICTS
The old Sao Paulo downtown, the Bela Vista district (also known as Bixiga or Little Italy), Jardins, Vila Madalena, Pinheiros and Ibirapuega Park zones are the main references in central Sao Paulo.
The old downtown is rather unsafe at night. There are many business offices in it, but the best Sao Paulo hotels, shopping places, nightlife bars or restaurants, are elsewhere, though not very far.
Bixiga (also known as Bela Vista or Little Italy), near downtown, is a very popular zone for entertainment and music, with lots of restaurants, clubs, bars and night clubs.
But there are more reputed zones for accommodation, nightlife, or shopping in Sao Paulo:
- the zone of Jardins, also not far from downtown, is much more secure; the most popular strip bars and alike are in this zone, mainly, near Hilton Hotel, or Caesar Park Hotel, at Rua Augusta and Nestor Pestana streets, at an area called Jardim Paulista. Faria de Lima Avenue (in this area) is also very reputed and most secure.
- the quarters of Vila Madalena and Pinheiros (Pinheiros is adjacent to Jardins and Vila Madalena) are also excellent references in shopping and fun.
- also very central and excellent for shopping or sports is the zone adjacent to the most famous park of Sao Paulo: the Ibirapuera Park.
Best time to visit Sao Paulo
See: Best time to visit Sao Paulo
SAO PAULO AND ITS BEACHES
Sao Paulo is not a beach destination, but there are, near Sao Paulo, some great beaches.
Guaraja and Santos are two major beaches, a few miles off Sao Paulo.
Not in Sao Paulo state but not very far, just some dozens miles north, in the coast, stands the Costa Verde zone, and, in it, two magnificent beach destinations: Paraty and Angra dos Reis.
For more information:
Beaches of Sao Paulo and the South of Brazil
Eating, Nightlife… - map of Sao Paulo
Rio, Buzios, Angra
Brazil’s south is a country within another country. Its culture and heritage is mainly European.
Even the weather – with four seasons and a cold winter - has little resemblance with that of the north and the northeast of Brazil.
Besides, Brazil’s south is much more than just the Iguassu Falls. Brazil’s south has pleasant cities like Curitiba or Blumenau, and excellent beach resorts, namely Florianopolis, at Santa Catarina Island.
See:
Beaches of Sao Paulo and the South of Brazil
Iguassu Falls
Best time to visit Blumenau
Best time to visit Florianopolis
Best time to visit the Iguassu Falls
