S%C3%83%C2%A3o Paulo, Brazil

Answer 1

When it comes to vacation destinations and cruise itineraries, Sao Paulo can sometimes be overshadowed by Brazil’s most prominent tourist spot, Rio de Janeiro. There are a lot of differences between the two cities. Rio is compact and dense, squeezed in between the ocean and the sugarloaf mountains of the Brazilian coast. Sao Paulo is huge and sprawling, with widespread suburbs and manufacturing districts. Sao Paulo itself has a population of about eleven million, making it the most populous city in the entire Southern Hemisphere. When the vast suburban area is included that number starts approaching twenty million.

Rio may have the fame and the esteemed girl from Ipanema, but it also has the infamous crime and violence of the favelas. Sao Paulo has the industry, the commercial clout and enticing options for the working businesman. It’s located near the southern coast of Brazil on the Atlantic Ocean, where there’s more than enough space for improvement and expansion. Sao Paulo is a busy transport hub and the premier economic center for much of lower South America. Don’t worry about the family pet either, because in a city this gigantic there is no shortage of pet-friendly hotels and venues. You’ll probably have more trouble getting Fido onto the plane than into a room here.

The dominant language is Portuguese, of course, but it’s one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. It has long attracted immigrants from abroad and from Brazil’s other states. Sao Paulo is usually known by its residents as Sampa. The people themselves are known as Paulistanos; “Paulista” refers to all residents of the wider state of Sao Paulo.

Arts and Entertainment

A hugely cosmopolitan city like Sao Paulo offers no end of entertainment. It can be hard to navigate, though. Keep in mind the city’s best reference point for navigation: Paulista Avenue. It’s Sao Paulo’s central thoroughfare, seen on many postcards and home to South America’s corporate elite. Numerous internationally acclaimed events like the Sao Paulo Art Bienal and Sao Paulo Fashion Week take place near here.

For the history buffs, the Centro Historico holds the most appeal. Because Sao Paulo has grown so rapidly during the twentieth century that almost all of the city’s sites of historic value are concentrated in this relatively small area. It’s extremely diverse, too, because this is where many of Sao Paulo’s ethnic enclaves are found.

Food and Drink

Sao Paulo’s diversity ensures that any and all gastronomic tastes can be satisfied. Dining is one of this city’s biggest attractions. Sushi may be hard to find in, say, Uruguay, but Sao Paulo has a larger population of Japanese than any other city outside of Japan itself. The Italian presence is similarly large. When dining here in Sao Paulo the standard tip is ten percent or a little more; most restaurants will include it in the bill.

Paulistas throw themselves into nightlife, so there should be no problem finding an entertaining bar or club. Draft beer is popular; it’s called “chope.” Bottled beer is usually shared by tablemates with small glasses, because Brazilians like their beer to remain ice-cold. If you’re feeling adventurous you can try one of the local favorites like cachaca or a caipirinha.