Other Tips for São Paulo

Ok so this is weird but... The bathrooms in são paulo metro stations are actually pretty decent? Like way cleaner than most major cities and definitely better than rio's sistema. AND they're completely free which blew my mind after paying €1-2 for every bathroom in europe. Estação sé and estação paulista even have attendants keeping them clean.

Also the security guards at most stations speak basic english and are super helpful if you're lost between linha azul and linha vermelha transfers. I was expecting the worst based on reddit horror stories about são paulo crime but honestly the metro system feels safer and more tourist-friendly than expected once you figure out the color coding thing (azul goes north-south, verde hits vila madalena).

Small thing but it made my trip way less stressful when i realized i didn't have to plan bathroom stops around mercado municipal visits or hold it for hours while exploring centro histórico. Sometimes it's the little things that make são paulo more manageable than its reputation suggests, you know?

Ok so this is gonna sound strange but Cemitério da Consolação has this little café at the entrance called Café do Cemitério and its actually... Good? R$8 espresso, opens 7am, surprisingly peaceful

I found this by accident when exploring the cemetery itself (amazing 19th century sculptures btw, lots of famous brazilians buried there). Needed caffeine before tackling busy tourist spots and this place was perfect. Zero tourists, locals reading newspapers, old trees everywhere

Metro linha 2-verde to Consolação, walk 5min down rua da consolação. Closes around 4pm. Perfect for introverts who need quiet coffee before hitting mercados or museums