For many centuries, São Paulo was a rather unexciting city. This changed radically with the arrival of great waves of immigrants at the end of the 19th century, followed by migrants from other parts of Brazil in the early 20th century. They were attracted by the coffee plantations and later by industry and the service sector.
In this way, the city grew and new traditions took root. Today, the capital of the State of São Paulo is, besides being an important economic and financial hub, one of the main centers for the development of new trends, culture and entertainment in Brazil.
São Paulo enjoys a high-altitude tropical climate, with summer rains and an average temperature of from 19º to 27 ºC. In the summer, it usually rains at the end of the afternoon, cooling things off. In the fall, the temperature is pleasant at an average of around 23ºC. Winter days are sunny and dry with temperatures that rarely dip below 15ºC. In the spring, it is usually warm and dry.
A Ticket (Bilhete único) for four journeys for each three hours at a sole fare is available at lottery shops or SP Trans stands or may pay for the single ride directly on the bus. Passengers use the front door for entering and back door to leave the bus.
Information: Tel.: 156
Currently São Paulo has four lines: Blue (Northbound/Southbound), Green (Alto do Ipiranga/Vila Madalena), Red (Eastbound/Westbound), Purple (Capão Redondo/Largo Treze).
Trains run daily from 4:40am to midnight (saturday till 1 a.m.), except Purple Line, which is closed on Sunday. The Bilhete Único also connects buses and subway lines with a reduced fare.
Information: Tel.: (11) 3371.7411 or wwww.metro.sp.gov.br
Taxis are easily found in São Paulo. Fare to be paid is in red on the panel. There are three options: common, special and radio taxi.
Main world car rentals have their office in São Paulo. Counters are located at airports and bus stations in São Paulo.
If you want to avoid the traffic, you can use a helicopter. São Paulo has one of the largest fleet in the world, just after New York.
Calls outside São Paulo: 0 + operator number + city code + telephone number.
International calls: 00 + operator number + country code + city code + telephone number. São Paulo city code is 11.
In order to call some cities using the same code, dialing operator number is required. For further information, call 102.
Telephone cards for 20, 40, 50 and 75 credits are sold at newsstands Each credit is valid for two minutes for local calls.
Since 1994, the Brazilian currency is Real (R$). In Brazil, exchange operation means exchanging a foreign currency for its counter value in Brazilian currency. http://www.bcb.gov.br/
Where the city never stops, 24-hour services are more than pharmacies and key makers. From supermarkets and flower shops to gym and pastry shops.
Voltage in São Paulo is 110 volts and 60 Hz. But in the main hotels, you will find some 220 volt plugs identified.
