Sao Paulo and Ilhabela
Oct 19th, 2007 | 06:18 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 135
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Sao Paulo and Ilhabela
Our daughter will be in Sao Paulo for 6 months and we're planning a visit over new years. I'm not actually finding the idea of Sao Paulo so appealing, and I have a few questions.
1. When people say it's dangerous what exactly do they mean.
2. Can someone give me a pep talk
3. We're thinking of spending a few days on Ilhabela, porto pacuiba has a 4 day minimum. I can't find too much information and would love to hear from people who've been.
4. Of course any tips on sights, upscale hotels, places for vegetarian food would be welcome
Thanks in advance
1. When people say it's dangerous what exactly do they mean.
2. Can someone give me a pep talk
3. We're thinking of spending a few days on Ilhabela, porto pacuiba has a 4 day minimum. I can't find too much information and would love to hear from people who've been.
4. Of course any tips on sights, upscale hotels, places for vegetarian food would be welcome
Thanks in advance
Oct 19th, 2007 | 06:37 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
I can only help with the #2, the pep talk, and maybe #4.
I flew to Sao Paulo enroute to a nature trip that took me out of the cities. But I was so impressed with the helpfulness of so many people in Sao Paulo that I made mention of it in the first part of my trip report. Though I've never had any problems in any cities where I arrive before heading out to explore nature, Sao Paulo was especially friendly and worthy of mention.
"FRIENDLY FOLKS IN SAO PAULO:
There is a daily Chicago O’Hare to Sao Paulo night flight on United that gets in midmorning. I spent that afternoon and night at an airport hotel as a buffer day, but you could launch into your trip or make a connecting flight upon arrival.
The helpfulness and friendliness of numerous people in my first 8 hours in country was a wonderful welcome. (1)When I bought my Portuguese-English handbook at the airport, I was asked for exact change. Not understanding, I thought the clerk wanted more money and so I tried to hand over more, which the clerk could have taken, but did kindly did not. (2) A similar incident of a much greater magnitude occurred at the TAM airline ticket counter. Twice I was prepared to fork over a $100 change fee for a rerouting I had made in my multi-city TAM airpass. Turns out the fee had been waived because my change removed Congonhas Airport, where the tragic crash had occurred. (3) A leather jacket had been left at the counter next to where I was conducting my airline ticket business and when I walked away from the counter, I was chased down by another customer because he thought it was mine. Eventually the jacket was reunited with its owner.
(4) I had some trouble locating the shuttle at the airport to the hotel and a competing hotel shuttle operator radioed for me. (5) Then an off duty airport employee waiting for a ride noticed I had been waiting in one spot a long time and used his cell phone to call the hotel for me. (6) At the hotel I had problems with my phone card and in no time there were people in my room dialing my phone for me. (7) When I asked to use the Internet, the desk clerk offered a solution to paying for the service—just come on in the back office and use hers for free.
Everybody during my entire stay, not just Sao Paulo, was very friendly (with the exception of one non-Brazilian tourist, who will surface when the final jaguar sighting occurs) But those first few hours were exceptional!"
#4 I stayed at Sol Melia Comfort Hotel (the word Comfort may have been dropped due to change in management), which is a 15 minute free shuttle ride from the airport. It was very nice, with a pool, jacuzzi, and a couple of good restaurants. I am sure there are fancier, more upscale hotels. It was far enough away from the airport to be able to go out and walk around in a citiy atmoshpere. There was a small park next to the hotel.
I got vegetarian meals there but don't remember exactly what. They were good.
As for #1, I am not sure if Sao Paulo has unique dangers that are not present in other big cities, but I would recommend using the hotel safe for all valuables. I did, even for my cameras and binocs.
I flew to Sao Paulo enroute to a nature trip that took me out of the cities. But I was so impressed with the helpfulness of so many people in Sao Paulo that I made mention of it in the first part of my trip report. Though I've never had any problems in any cities where I arrive before heading out to explore nature, Sao Paulo was especially friendly and worthy of mention.
"FRIENDLY FOLKS IN SAO PAULO:
There is a daily Chicago O’Hare to Sao Paulo night flight on United that gets in midmorning. I spent that afternoon and night at an airport hotel as a buffer day, but you could launch into your trip or make a connecting flight upon arrival.
The helpfulness and friendliness of numerous people in my first 8 hours in country was a wonderful welcome. (1)When I bought my Portuguese-English handbook at the airport, I was asked for exact change. Not understanding, I thought the clerk wanted more money and so I tried to hand over more, which the clerk could have taken, but did kindly did not. (2) A similar incident of a much greater magnitude occurred at the TAM airline ticket counter. Twice I was prepared to fork over a $100 change fee for a rerouting I had made in my multi-city TAM airpass. Turns out the fee had been waived because my change removed Congonhas Airport, where the tragic crash had occurred. (3) A leather jacket had been left at the counter next to where I was conducting my airline ticket business and when I walked away from the counter, I was chased down by another customer because he thought it was mine. Eventually the jacket was reunited with its owner.
(4) I had some trouble locating the shuttle at the airport to the hotel and a competing hotel shuttle operator radioed for me. (5) Then an off duty airport employee waiting for a ride noticed I had been waiting in one spot a long time and used his cell phone to call the hotel for me. (6) At the hotel I had problems with my phone card and in no time there were people in my room dialing my phone for me. (7) When I asked to use the Internet, the desk clerk offered a solution to paying for the service—just come on in the back office and use hers for free.
Everybody during my entire stay, not just Sao Paulo, was very friendly (with the exception of one non-Brazilian tourist, who will surface when the final jaguar sighting occurs) But those first few hours were exceptional!"
#4 I stayed at Sol Melia Comfort Hotel (the word Comfort may have been dropped due to change in management), which is a 15 minute free shuttle ride from the airport. It was very nice, with a pool, jacuzzi, and a couple of good restaurants. I am sure there are fancier, more upscale hotels. It was far enough away from the airport to be able to go out and walk around in a citiy atmoshpere. There was a small park next to the hotel.
I got vegetarian meals there but don't remember exactly what. They were good.
As for #1, I am not sure if Sao Paulo has unique dangers that are not present in other big cities, but I would recommend using the hotel safe for all valuables. I did, even for my cameras and binocs.
Oct 22nd, 2007 | 05:51 PM
#6
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 0
Of course, Para Ti, is an old colonial little town from the XVI century, it was the port for exports of gold and coffee. IT is tiny and very quaint. It is I believe part of the National Heritage. It was not very far from SAO, I drove with my friend, actually she drove because she lives in SAO. It has nice little boutique hotels and pousadas, many restaurants with lots of charm, and an old port. No beaches in Para ti but we took boats to nearby islands and swam in tiny little beaches in the islands.
On the route from Sao we came upon lovely beaches and stop a couple of times to swim, sorry I do not know exactly where.
The tides are tricky and at certain times of the day the water covers some small areas near the water.
On the route from Sao we came upon lovely beaches and stop a couple of times to swim, sorry I do not know exactly where.
The tides are tricky and at certain times of the day the water covers some small areas near the water.
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Nov 2nd, 2007 | 02:59 PM
#8
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Eleanorw
I am originally from Sao Paulo. So let me give you some tips
1. Sao Paulo has some safety problems as any other big city in the world. Never had any problems there you just need to be cautious. Don't flash money, no jewlery, just carry enough money for the day one or 2 credit cards only, take a copy of your passaport with you. Don't stand out in the crowd dress up like a local. If you stay in the Paulista area you probably won't have any problems. In case you get robbed never react. The violence is usually in the poor suburbs and you won't go there anyway.
2. Sao Paulo is not really a tourist city with natual beauty there but there are some places to go. On Sundays you should visit a town that is about 30 - 40 min from SP called Embu das Artes. They have a nice handicraft market on that day. Look at older postings on SP there is a very good about about places to go and what to do. On weekends I belive there is an antique fair in a museum called MASP. The museum is very interesting also. The Ipiranga museum is also a must with its beautiful gardens.
About restaurants:
- You should try a churrascaria which is a Brazilian Steak House. The best ones are Fogo de Chao and Churrascaria OK.
- You should also try the pizzas they are the best ones in the world in my opinion. The best place to have a pizza is Braz Pizzaria. Just don't go on weekends it gets very crowded.
- A very local thing to do is to go to a Feira Livre and eat a pastel com caldo de cana (sugar cane juice). Just ask in your hotel what day of the week is a feira livre which is a fruit and vegetables market on the street. You have to go early before 1pm.
- Besides a churrascaria the other national dish in Brasil is the feijoada. The best one is in Bolinha (it is a little expensive but it is worth it).
- Mercado Municipal is the main market in Sao Paulo. Lots of good restaurants (not fancy very local). Try the sanduiche de mortadela or the pastel de bacalhau. And don't forget to drink a choppe which is the Brazilian version of beer on tap. Just don't venture out in that area is not the best part of town.
- Hotel Unique has a very nice restaurant called Skye. Beautiful views of town. You should also try Terraco Italia an Italian restaurant in dowmtown SP with beautiful views.
- Other good Brazilian restaurants are Dona Lucinha, Andrade, Badejo, Bargaco, Capim Santo, Consulado Mineiro, Tordesilhas and many others.
- Cheiro Verde is a very good vegetarian restaurant.
3. Ilha Bela has very nice beaches. You can check www.hotelmercedes.com.br, www.cantodapraiailhabela.com.br. I never stayed in these hotels but I know there are a few upscale places on the island. If you will be there in the summer try not to go on a weekend because the ferry lines are very long. Parati also is very nice. It is a beautiful drive from Ilha Bela to Parati along the coast.
4. There are many nice hotels around Paulista Ave. area. I never stayed in any of them but you won't go wrong staying in Unique, Emiliano, Fasano, Renaissance, L'Hotel, Intercontinental, Melia Mofarrej, Caesar Business, Mercure Jardins, Maksoud Plaza or NH Della Volpe.
Hope you enjoy your visit to Sao Paulo.
I am originally from Sao Paulo. So let me give you some tips
1. Sao Paulo has some safety problems as any other big city in the world. Never had any problems there you just need to be cautious. Don't flash money, no jewlery, just carry enough money for the day one or 2 credit cards only, take a copy of your passaport with you. Don't stand out in the crowd dress up like a local. If you stay in the Paulista area you probably won't have any problems. In case you get robbed never react. The violence is usually in the poor suburbs and you won't go there anyway.
2. Sao Paulo is not really a tourist city with natual beauty there but there are some places to go. On Sundays you should visit a town that is about 30 - 40 min from SP called Embu das Artes. They have a nice handicraft market on that day. Look at older postings on SP there is a very good about about places to go and what to do. On weekends I belive there is an antique fair in a museum called MASP. The museum is very interesting also. The Ipiranga museum is also a must with its beautiful gardens.
About restaurants:
- You should try a churrascaria which is a Brazilian Steak House. The best ones are Fogo de Chao and Churrascaria OK.
- You should also try the pizzas they are the best ones in the world in my opinion. The best place to have a pizza is Braz Pizzaria. Just don't go on weekends it gets very crowded.
- A very local thing to do is to go to a Feira Livre and eat a pastel com caldo de cana (sugar cane juice). Just ask in your hotel what day of the week is a feira livre which is a fruit and vegetables market on the street. You have to go early before 1pm.
- Besides a churrascaria the other national dish in Brasil is the feijoada. The best one is in Bolinha (it is a little expensive but it is worth it).
- Mercado Municipal is the main market in Sao Paulo. Lots of good restaurants (not fancy very local). Try the sanduiche de mortadela or the pastel de bacalhau. And don't forget to drink a choppe which is the Brazilian version of beer on tap. Just don't venture out in that area is not the best part of town.
- Hotel Unique has a very nice restaurant called Skye. Beautiful views of town. You should also try Terraco Italia an Italian restaurant in dowmtown SP with beautiful views.
- Other good Brazilian restaurants are Dona Lucinha, Andrade, Badejo, Bargaco, Capim Santo, Consulado Mineiro, Tordesilhas and many others.
- Cheiro Verde is a very good vegetarian restaurant.
3. Ilha Bela has very nice beaches. You can check www.hotelmercedes.com.br, www.cantodapraiailhabela.com.br. I never stayed in these hotels but I know there are a few upscale places on the island. If you will be there in the summer try not to go on a weekend because the ferry lines are very long. Parati also is very nice. It is a beautiful drive from Ilha Bela to Parati along the coast.
4. There are many nice hotels around Paulista Ave. area. I never stayed in any of them but you won't go wrong staying in Unique, Emiliano, Fasano, Renaissance, L'Hotel, Intercontinental, Melia Mofarrej, Caesar Business, Mercure Jardins, Maksoud Plaza or NH Della Volpe.
Hope you enjoy your visit to Sao Paulo.
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