São Paulo

cafctom

Anyone ever been?

I’m going there next weekend for a few days with work - first ever trip to South America.

I’ve been told that a couple of the districts can be very very dangerous (so much so that our company actually sees it as a violation to enter some of them). One of which is meant to be ‘Centro’ (downtown)

Any ideas for things to do out there would be welcome! Cheers

Riviera

Do what everyone does on business trips, get pissed and shag whores....

McBobbin

I've been there, it's a bit dicey, lots of overt poverty. The food was decent. It's really vast... we stayed in an area called Republica which was alright.

Leroy Ambrose

Used to work with a woman whose boyfriend was Brazilian, from Sao Paulo. They went back there to visit his family. First day they were there, they got on a bus in a 'relatively' safe area. Ten minutes into the journey, some dude sits down opposite them, and her boyfriend reached into his pocket and gave the guy his wallet. He counted the money and got up and off at the next stop. She couldn't see it, but apparently he had a gun. Broad daylight, packed bus.

Just be careful.

thai malaysia addick

I'd be interested to hear what you think of it, @cafctom. My daughter, who works with me, is looking to go to a conference there early next year. She'll be mainly in a hotel but I would like some idea as to whether it is safe for her.

eaststandmike

My son in law was working there 18 months ago, full on gun fight outside his hotel which he filmed a bit of from the safety of his room window.

He hated the place, the food and the people.

Davo55

Went there once on business. A huge sprawling city, a lot of which is unsightly apartment blocks criss-crossed with major highways. Pretty it is not - except for the original old town in the centre, which is very attractive in the Spanish colonial style.

I also had to stay in a vetted hotel, have a security/evasion trained driver etc.

Not a lot to do that I saw, but a great restaurant in the middle of the old town built around a huge, very old tree.

Highlight of the trip for me was when one of my Spanish team, Emilio, who was a real gent and never usually said anything untoward, leaned towards me and whispered with a Pep Guardiola style accent, "Where are the beautiful Bralizlian women, these ones all have moustache". Made me laugh.

stonewallpenalty

Went there during the World cup. Shit hole i thought.

SantaClaus

I saw an excellent Anthony Bourdain show on Sao Paulo recently. If you want some pointers (especially for restaurants) I'd recommend giving it a go (I think it was on Netflix).

Fortune 82nd Minute

eaststandmike said:

My son in law was working there 18 months ago, full on gun fight outside his hotel which he filmed a bit of from the safety of his room window.

He hated the place, the food and the people.

Yes but apart from that, would he recommend a visit?

IdleHans

Went there a few years ago for work, as stated the place is vast but didnt seem to have much of a focal point or touristy sights, but my visit was brief.

However, the food was fantastic if you like meat. Try a churrascaria (sp?) - as much as you can eat and it keeps on coming. You'll know it a couple of days later, mind you.

Hastingsaddick

Flew there on our way to the Iguazu Falls, didn't get off the plane, and after 10 days in Rio didn't fancy another huge city. However what does stick in my mind was the size of the place....as others have mentioned above it's very, very vast.