Language in São Paulo

Brazil is surrounded by Spanish-speaking countries, but the national language here is Portuguese, not Spanish. Curiously enough, most Brazilians will understand you if you speak only Spanish, but do it slowly. Don't expect Brazilians to speak perfect Spanish, however, as it is easier for them to understand it than to speak it. If you speak Spanish, there's no guarantee you'll understand Portuguese—although the written languages are similar, pronunciation is much different.

Those used to traveling in Europe are often shocked by how little English is spoken or understood in Brazil. That said, educated Brazilians and, in general, at least some of the staff at hotels, tour operators, and travel agencies will speak English. Store clerks and waiters may speak a smattering of English; taxi and bus drivers won't. You're more likely to find English-speaking locals in major cities than in small towns or the countryside. In the northeast and the Amazon you may have difficulty even in cities. Learning some basic sentences in Portuguese will come in handy.