São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, known for its economic and cultural diversity. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 12.3 million residents in the city, with over 21 million in the metropolitan area. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is 45 Mbps, with many co-working spaces offering higher speeds. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Brazilian Real (BRL). As of November 2024, 1 USD ≈ 5.34 BRL. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not recommended to drink tap water; bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity supply is 220V, 60Hz, with Type N sockets being standard. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Local providers include Vivo, Claro, and TIM, offering prepaid plans starting around BRL 30 for data. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options for expats include Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, and international services like Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Accommodations range from luxury apartments to affordable hostels and Airbnb options in areas like Vila Madalena and Jardins. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted; credit and debit cards are standard. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular, with prices starting at BRL 100 per night for a private room. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like HI Hostel São Paulo and Galaxy Hostels offer beds starting at BRL 40 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork locations such as WeWork Av. Paulista and coworking spaces like Plug and Work have robust amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | O Melhor Café in Vila Madalena is well-known for its great coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check Meetup.com for tech and remote work-specific events in São Paulo. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The 'São Paulo Expats' Facebook group regularly organizes meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and 99 are the most commonly used ride-hailing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike sharing services like Bike Itaú are available throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach, Santos, is about 1 hour away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | LATAM Airlines is the major regional carrier providing access across Brazil. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and LATAM operate major international flights from São Paulo. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | São Paulo is well-connected to major highways including the BR-116. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estação da Luz is a key train station linking various regions. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bilhete Único is the transit pass that covers buses and metro, costing BRL 4.40 per trip. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains operate connecting São Paulo to nearby cities like Campinas and Sorocaba. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital das Clínicas is one of the top hospitals in Brazil for various healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaPop and Flow Spa are popular wellness centers with various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Instituto do Movimento offers a range of fitness classes and personal training. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Rápido offers quick and reliable laundry services around the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood is the leading food delivery app covering a vast range of restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Feijoada is a must-try traditional black bean stew served with rice. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Mimi & Tori is a highly-rated vegetarian eatery with a wide selection of dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Baked Potato offers delicious cakes and pastries, known for their brigadeiro. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercadão Municipal is famous for its fresh produce and sandwiches. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Popular Brazilian e-commerce includes Mercado Livre and Americanas. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Now provides grocery delivery services across São Paulo. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Vila Madalena is a hotspot for bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria São Paulo produces a variety of local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Cave de Vinhos is a well-known wine bar offering tastings in a cozy setting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors in neighborhoods like Pinheiros offer tasty snacks such as coxinhas and pastel. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzaria Camelo is popular for their Italian-inspired pizzas. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista are iconic locations not to miss. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) hosts significant collections of Western art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Pátio do Colégio is the site where São Paulo was founded. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The São Paulo Cathedral is a stunning neo-Gothic landmark in the city center. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The São Paulo Art Biennial is one of the largest art exhibitions in the country. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Bairro da Liberdade is known for its Japanese cultural influence and events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theatro Municipal is an architectural marvel and hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Feira de São Cristóvão features Northeastern Brazilian handicrafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Bar Brahma is famous for live music showcasing local artists. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Beco do Batman features vibrant street art and graffiti, located in Vila Madalena. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary schools such as Cia. do Verdadeiro Chef offer cooking classes focusing on Brazilian cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria Fortes Vilaça showcases contemporary art and hosts various exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Copan Building, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, is an iconic structure of São Paulo. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is known for its multicultural heritage and celebrates several festivals throughout the year. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cantareira State Park offers hiking trails and stunning views of the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Both Serra da Cantareira and Parque Nacional da Serra do Mar are accessible for day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Parque do Ibirapuera has beautiful paved paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at Parque da Independência offers stunning views of the city skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Estação Ecológica do Tietê is a great place for observing local bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Barra do Una is a beach spot that allows bonfires, ideal for group picnics. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios offers reliable parcel delivery services throughout Brazil. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iPlace and authorized Apple repair services are available in the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Clubes de Tênis like São Paulo Tennis Club offers table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Grupo Cultural Brasil offers Portuguese language courses for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Mário de Andrade offers quiet space for studying and reading. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Spaces like Centro de Tradissões Nordestinas promote cultural activities and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Zone Games is a popular spot for gamers to come together. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | With the current regulations, casinos are not operational; however, there are gaming cafés. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$400,000) in areas like Jardins. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$7,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$280,000) in suburban neighborhoods. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$570,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$390,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$640,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$464,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The corporate tax rate is 15% for profits up to R$20,000 monthly. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The withholding tax rate on dividends is 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Brazil has a worldwide income taxation system, applying to residents on their global income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum income tax rate is 27.5%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 17% (ICMS). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil has strict CFC rules for taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on the value of the property, assessed by local municipalities. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | The property transaction tax is around 4% of the purchase price. |