Sao Paulo City Guide

The sheer scale of São Paulo can be daunting for the first time visitor. Home to 11 million people, the urban sprawl is criss-crossed by six-lane highways and concrete flyovers, with few natural landmarks to guide the visitor.

The city's countless skyscrapers are home to the banks, insurance firms, industrial giants and media empires that make this Brazil's most prosperous city.

São Paulo has an energy all of its own, very different from laid-back Rio with its beach culture. Paulistanos are known as hard workers, but they make up for it at the end of the day.

Cuisine from around the world is given a distinctive Brazilian twist in restaurants to suit every budget and taste. The vibrant cultural scene is bolstered by ever-changing exhibitions and a host of annual festivals; while the city's bars and clubs can rival any that Rio has to offer.

There are more helicopters here than in Manhattan and the wealthy elite fly back and forth from their mansions to city centre helipads, avoiding the traffic and poverty below. Inequality is a big problem, and in recent decades violence and petty crime has spread inwards from the slums that surround the city.

Avoid wearing fine jewellery on the street and keep expensive cameras out of sight. With sensible precautions like these, São Paulo is a city that can be enjoyed day and night. And with a climate that is mild throughout the year, there is never a bad time to visit.