About São Paulo

Population: city - 11 million
Climate: Annual Average air humidity is 78%
Temperature: 5ºC to 20ºC during Winter time: June to September
Language: Portuguese
Religion: Catholic (predominantly)
Currency: Real (R$)
Time Zone: GMT 3 hours
Area Code (telephone): 11
Electricity: 110volts, 60HZ; two round-pin plugs

São Paulo is the third-largest metropolis on earth, Brazil´s most metropolis and South America´s most important commercial and financial pole.'Sampa' is an intoxicating place, with art and entertainment on par with any world capital. "Paulistanos" believe in working hard and playing harder, and despite complaining about traffic and pollution, wouldn't dream of living elsewhere.

Refined, cosmopolitan food
São Paulo is one of the largest restaurants of the planet. There are thousands of addresses that can be classified by category, price or quality, but it is good to know that it is not only the price that determines the quality, and vice-versa. It is possible to eat well in a restaurant of known standards in the aristocratic Jardins district or in modest Italian trattorias in the bohemian district of Bixiga.

In addition to Brazilian flavors, and special mention must be made to the meat festivals offered by the "churrascarias" (barbecue restaurants), which are impressive for their lavishness, the Italian cuisine stands out, with its starred restaurants or others that boast the same quality but that are more simple. We must bear in mind that the Italian community was a determining factor in the evolution of the city leaving its mark on the culinary arts. There are also excellent German, Arab, Spanish, French, Greek, Jewish, Portuguese, Swiss, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai restaurants.

Everything can be had in the vast variety available in São Paulo International fast food, wonderful fish and seafood, and creative pizzas. From the traditional Brazilian "Feijoada", served on Saturdays, duly accompanied by a delicious "caipirinha", to more sophisticated French dishes, such as the classic Coq au Vin; from the very Italian Tortelloni de Abóbora and Amêndoas (pumpkin tortelloni with almonds), to the Japanese Tsubo Yaki, and on to German "Schlachtplatte, Spanish" Paella Valenciana, Portuguese Chanfana de Carneiro (lamb) dishes. It is worth adventuring into the São Paulo cuisine, a world of aromas and flavors fit for any connoisseur.

At night the city vibrates!
Cafés, cigar stores, draft-beer houses, karaoke bars, the art of meeting has as its setting, an infinity of addresses: from the most modest to the most sophisticated, with or without music, for students or executives, young or older people, there is a place for every kind of public. It is the capital of work but relaxing is the order of the day as soon as the sun goes down and night sets in.

São Paulo never sleeps. Bars that remain opened until the wee hours of the morning, discotheques that reverberate with the latest hit, cafés where the latest news is discussed, noisy draft-beer houses, cozy pubs.   São Paulo by night shimmers with life here and there, but also offers more traditional retreats such as the Bixiga one of the bohemian districts of the city. Next door to trattorias and theatres, there is an infinity of bars and cafés and sounds that mingle: "baião", "choro", jazz, latin, rock.

In the Itaim and Jardins districts, the ballads are more sophisticated and exclusive, reflecting the elegance and refinement of these neighborhoods. In Moema, Pinheiros and Vila Madalena, the gaiety is the same, and the public more carefree. Under the neon signs it becomes quite evident: São Paulo by night vibrates.

For further information please contact:
Tunibra Travel Agency
contact person: Mrs. Luciana Garcez
tel.: +55 11 3346-8294
fax: +55 11 3346-8308
e-mail: fispal@tunibra.com.br