Things to do in São Paulo | Brazil

In this video, I am explaining different areas in São Paulo and things you definitely need to do and see there! I will cover Paulista Avenue, Vila Madalena, Ibirapuera Park and the downtown of São Paulo aka Centro! I will also comment on safety in each area.
São Paulo Travel Guide: www.alikitravelblog.com/post/...
0:00 Intro: São Paulo
1:38 Paulista Avenue
4:00 Vila Madalena
4:46 Liberdade - Japanese District
5:17 Ibirapuera Park
6:07 São Paulo Downtown - Centro
11:00 Se Cathedral
12:37 São Paulo Local Market
13:55 Where to stay in São Paulo?
14:15 How to get around São Paulo?
More videos from Brazil 🇧🇷
Iguazu Falls: • Are Iguazu Falls worth...
Rio Travel Guide: • Things to do in Rio de...
Ilha Grande: • You can't miss this is...
For more pictures and comments connect with me on Twitter and Instagram 😊
Twitter: / alikitravelblog
Instagram: / aliki_travel_blog

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Is Rio de Janeiro also on your list? Check out the best things to and see in Rio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnycoXmOqLKKedE 🎉🇧🇷

[@user-ei7el6pi6n]

👏🌅volte sempre 🇧🇷🏝️🍻

[@missmomus]

The homeless situation sounds very similar to Los Angeles or San Francisco, some areas are very scary even in daytime. I don't think most homeless are inherently dangerous, but if they are on drugs or have untreated mental illness, then their behavior is more unpredictable. Really a pity that the situation is so out of control in some places.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Yes, it is so sad 😢 I have never been to LA but I can imagine it is similar there from what I have heard. Sao Paulo is an incredible travel destination but it is sad the situation has escalated so dramatically there 😢

[@DG-ig1rb]

I work in the centre | downtown o Rio de Janeiro, and I am used to walk day and night in that area. Most homeless people are not dangerous, but you should be aware of your surroundings because there are some drug addicts among them. Anyway, I've never felt in real danger near them. Unfortunately, pandemic worsened the situation and brought more people to the streets.

[@Guizambaldi]

It has been the situation here for ages. It's not a recent thing here. São Paulo attracts a lot of people from the whole country and many end up in the streets. It's a poor country. Many who are not homeless are living in dangerous slums, and are one job loss away from homelessness.

[@paulorobertosouzalima6057]

Muitos dos sem tetos ao serem retirados das ruas retornam para as mesmas por vontade própria!

[@gladysng4751]

thank you so much for your advice for safety! I will go there soon and will beware. Thanks again!

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

I am really happy to hear you found this useful 🙏😊

[@francescosilverio7343]

Parabéns pelo vídeo sejam bem vindos ao Brasil todos 🇧🇷🌅🇧🇷

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Obrigado 😊

[@asmrcomfortingsenses5431]

Amazing views very beautiful awesome nice video

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you :)))

[@LUIS-lo2pq]

Amazing video!!!!

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you so much :))

[@RandomNPC001]

São Paulo and Califórnia are very much alike, both are the richest states of their country and most populous as well with virtually the same number of people state wide (São Paulo city is the capital of São Paulo state). I used to live in San Francisco and would work in L.A. sometimes and the homeless situation is nearly the same as São Paulo.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Ouhh yes I have heard it is very bad in L.A. 😞

[@MsAkatsuki09]

Heyyyy!!! If you're still in São Paulo, try to check Ipiranga Museum. The place is pure art itself, but the amount of art there is amazing. You'll love, I promess. Besides the homeless problem, São Paulo is one of the safest cities around South América, once those homeless aren't really dangerous or violent. They're just there solving cross words puzzles, as you said 😅

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

hahahah yes I saw many interesting people in São Paulo but also loved the city! So much to see and do! 😍

[@GreatCityAttractions]

A lovely vlog Aliki - well done.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you so much 😊

[@GreatCityAttractions]

you're welcome. @@AlikiTravelBlog

[@gabrielmarcolin8180]

eu gostei do seu video, voce falou sua experiencia e foi sincera; admiro que voce tenha falado de forma livre e sincera sua opiniao; realmente esse problema no centro de São Paulo precisa mudar.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you so much for your support 🙏

[@user-ch9wh1qv6l]

Hi Aliki, actually Sao Paulo Centro is safe during the day. At night it is a different thing.

[@joseluciocorrea1866]

One correction about places to see the view of the huge city frm above: the best view is very inexpensive, some 3 or 4 dollars and with that you also can visit some art and historic exhibitions: it's the Santander Tower in the old downtown (that downtown area is safe!). In the basement there is a very unusual and interesting bar inside the big old bank safe!

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

ooo very interesting! Thanks for the recommendation! 😊

[@Fusso]

São Paulo is actually the safest capital in Brazil and one of the safest cities in the country. Crime rates are actually lower than Los Angeles, the main problem is the difference between perceived danger and actual danger. Perceived danger is based in preconceptions about people, homeless are criminals, shifty looking people will kidnap you, drug addicts will kill you for blow. There's no evidence that any of those things are common occurances in the city,and cases regarding tourists are even rarer, if anything the real dangerous parts of the city are far from where you were - mostly in the outskirts, where gangs are still common. Also, your tour guide seem to only made it worse. I actually had a full on shoot, with professional cameras and lighting right in the middle of Sé and the worst thing that ever happened was homeless people asking for some change.

[@ordemeprogresso4]

Kkk considerada a 5° mais feia do mundo e essa imagem do centro reflete a colocação

[@cleuzafreire8490]

I agree 100%.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you so much for your opinion. I don't know the exact data, it is interesting you bring this up. 😊 I guess I was just talking purely from a tourist point of view who is there for the first time. Those were my honest first impression and I want to be real and share all my real experiences. Some people have better ones, like you in Se, amazing, would love to see that, share the link 😉 as I didn't get a proper look apart from my drone shots. And as I say in the video there are so many amazing places I felt ok. I guess there are just a few parts that I mentioned in the video that I found uncomfortable, but those are purely my personal experiences. 😊

[@Fusso]

@@AlikiTravelBlog yeah, I tried to reply with an address and KZbin didn't show it. Well, it's easy to find, Brazil has official data released early and it's called Atlas da Violência, but you can easily find articles in English about it.

[@joseluciocorrea1866]

@@AlikiTravelBlog What Fusso Moro said is true! The murder rates in São Paulo are the lowest in the Brazilian big cities and lower than many of US big cities: 5,6 murders for each 100.000 inhabitants! For comparison, the rate in Rio is 18!

[@dirceujuniortraducoes3268]

Hello, be welcome in Brazil and when you come back to Brazil, get to know other cities in Brazil, an ex: is the South which contains Curitiba in the state of Paraná, Florianópolis in Santa Catarina and Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul... hope you like it and come back always lady

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Yes, I loved Brazil and can't wait to go back :))

[@NLMusique]

Great in-depth video. I'm glad I came across your video. We are planning a trip there, actually a cruise that leaves out of Santos. We were planning to stay two nights in Sao Paulo so we only have one full day there. We are planning to book a tour with a tour guide because we don't want to wonder around the city by ourselves. It looks like downtown is the most dangerous area according to what you said. We will stay at the two area you recommended. Other than downtown, is it safe to use your phone to take pictures of things?

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Thank you! 😊 Ouh nice! I hope you enjoy it! 😊 Well...in all honesty no. There were a lot of places I didn't took out my phone out. Grabbing it out of your hands is a thing...so just be extra careful if you do. 🙏

[@NLMusique]

@@AlikiTravelBlog thank you

[@jorgehall8959]

Note to myself, do not leave wherever I stay at the entire time. Im in Sao Paulo in July :D

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

hahahah nooo it is not that bad...just some truth from my trip...but as I said I picked a very bad location where to stay. Now after almost a year I must say I remember only the good things :) ...and the guy pooping on the side of the street :D The park is amazing!!!! definitely my favourite part and must visit...very good vibe :)

[@JulioCesarCorcinideMedeiros]

The problem was staying in downtown for the first days.. Everyone in São Paulo knowns about downtown problem, and we usually don't go there if we don't really need, and you stayed there... But this happens with spefic areas, not all the city, in fact almost all other areas of the city are safest, São Paulo is safer than New York (I'm talking about real rankings), so you should not be so much worried about safety everywhere in the city, as I said there are just some spots and unfortunately you stayed exactly in the wrong one, and this ruined your safety feeling everywhere in the city, just because you unfortunately started in the worst zone.. Oh, and our "Eiffel tower" is not in the Old City Center, we really don't see the Old City Center as our "Best place to visit " São Paulo is a business and Entertainment city, so our "Eiffel tower" might be "Ponte espraiada"(symbol of the city), "MASP"(Main Museum), "Faria Lima"(Financial district), "Vila Mariana"(Bohemian district), Jardins(Rich residential District) and goes on... We don't have ONE "Eiffel tower" the main thing that represents the city as I said is Our Bridge, if you search for "São Paulo" you constantly see the bridge, because is one of the most important symbols of the city, but each neighborhood of São Paulo represents something, and unfortunately you stayed first in the only one(district) that represents Fear, Dirty, Abandon, Shame...

[@dolydoly5679]

São Paulo não é mais seguro que Nova York, talvez mais que Los Angeles, mas não que NY!

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

wow love your insight! I do agree that I just had the worst first impression haha I highlight many places in Sao Paulo that I really liked and felt safe at.😊

[@Goingby20s]

Sorry about your experience. The situation in downtown São Paulo is indeed very dire. There are some areas closer Consolação that are going through somewhat of a gentrification process, but the areas close to Sé, are very dangerous and the homelessness is intense. I would definitely not recommend anyone staying overnight in downtown, better to stay close to Paulista, Oscar Freire or Pinheiros or Vila Madalena, as you said. Unfortunately, despite all the historical importance, São Paulo differs from most cities that it's dangerous / run down area is the city centre. A lot of other neighbourhoods are relatively safe though.

[@Goingby20s]

The pandemic also made things worse because the area is full of public buildings and most public employees are still working remotely, so a lot of things closed etc.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

But as you say there are some really amazing places in Sao Paulo that I personally really enjoyed.😊So despite the danger in downtown I truly loved Sao Paulo... just next time I will stay in a different area 😂

[@diogoredes]

Not gonna say it's safe, for sure it is not, but it's not as dangerous as some people will say. Source: lived in Sao Paulo living in the city center for many years.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Agree 🙌

[@LukacEriso]

niec

[@blckqueen8044]

As someone who has lived in several major cities. Homelessness is an issue in all big cities not just Sao Paulo. They don’t harm anyone.

[@saopaulomeupais3932]

Too bad you got a bad impression of São Paulo based on the experience of the city center, a place that doesn't even represent 5% of the grandeur of this city, there are so many other amazing places that are worth knowing a hug 🤗

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Yes, I loved the park and Vila Madalena Area 😍

[@CarolinaCCarolina]

Are you comparing the experience of walking around the Eiffel Tower with going to praça da sé? I think reading the comments on KZbin will be a more learning experience. That’s what you had going to São Paulo I'm originally from São Paulo. I’ve lived in NYC for 12 years; last year, I was assaulted on the street, punched in my face out of nowhere, in an unprovoked attack on 16sr and 3AV. Would you say something like that would happen in Manhattan in broad day light ??? São Paulo is not for every tourist . “ don’t be discouraged by the video. “haha, haha, São Paulo doesn’t NEED tourists to survive!

[@manoelferreiragomes9974]

Muito triste ver minha cidade deteriorada. Faz muito tempo que eu não vou ao Centro. Fico triste com a situação dos turistas que não conseguem se sentir bem por aqui.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

I still enjoyed the city 😊

[@silviomarchetti5219]

Talking about homeless, you must visiti Los Angeles, San Francisco and problaby many other places.

[@gustavo75285]

*Good video, really the historic center of São Paulo is very beautiful and at the same time very dangerous, the region is abandoned by the city hall unfortunately, but just be careful that something serious will hardly happen there, there are several other good regions of the city for you to know yet, you've only been to Paulista, Liberdade and Vila Madalena yet. You need to go to Jardins neighborhood, Itaim bibi, Brooklin, Pinheiros, Consolação, Villa-Lobos park and several other places 🤩🇧🇷*

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

wow some amazing recommendations, thank you very much! 😊

[@gustavo75285]

@@AlikiTravelBlog WELCOME TO BRAZIL 🇧🇷♥️

[@perfecttiming2956]

São Paulo is a fantastic place and it's true at the moment the centre is a place not to visit unfortunately if you are foreigner and might bump into some sketchy individuals. That is due to years of socialist progressive administrations that allowed the support of drugs addicts to get social income from government, to consume and stay locally with their drugs consumption, and that only created much more social desarrays. Hopefully elections in October will change the local government and allow a more restricted and low tolerance order to be put in place and control better the situation, and bring back the glow and blizz Sao Paulo offers. If you are in Br longer, definitely visit south of Brazil, there's so much more for you to visit and enjoy.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing this view.😊🙏 Yes, South of Brazil is still on my list 😍

[@joseluciocorrea1866]

You really exaggerated in the safety question! It's not as bad as you described! The homeless in downtown are not aggressive at all! There are only 2 areas that are dangerous: the square where the big cathedral is, but there is lots of police around and the drug addicts area where you stayed, the Cracolandia. Excuse me for saying so but you were very stupid to stay in a hotel at precisely the worst area! Incredible! The crime rates in São Paulo are the lowest among Brazilian big cities!

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

😊

[@luke83rj]

I don’t think that São Paulo as a whole is dangerous. The downtown areas where you went and saw the homeless people, some on drugs, is indeed dangerous, but you took this experience in that area to presume it was the same in the entire city, that is one of the biggest in the world. There are other neighbourhoods where you would feel really safe, at least I do when I go there.

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Sure completely agree 😊 I was sharing some of my absolute favorite spots in Sao Paulo where I felt very safe and comfortable 😉 I just shared my honest first impressions about downtown as I want to be real and honest with my viewers about my personal experiences, but that was truly just my personal impressions.

[@luke83rj]

@@AlikiTravelBlog I understand, it probably was the first place you visited and it impacted you negativaley. Although it is a good place to visit to see the historic aspect of the city, it raises security concerns like you stated. Even there, if you take the necessary precautions like not showing valuable stuff, I don’t think you would be robbed, but it still is indeed not a safe area. But other neighouborhoods are perfectly fine, specially residential ones. In Brazil and probably in Latin America, dowtown areas are not usually the safest places.

[@Guilhermeps27]

Vira lata

[@derru1]

If phone snatching us rhe worst then it's safer then most American cities. Ar least you don't have to worry about getting shot

[@johnraj786]

Is it Brazil dangerous for tourists??

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

Not really... just the downtown areas and favelas

[@blckqueen8044]

@@AlikiTravelBlogthe fact that equate poor homeless people to dangerous is weird. They don’t attack people. They are no dif than any other homeless people in Nyc, LA, San Francisco.

[@527ctguy]

You were probably in a safe area. Being from a city with a lot of crime, you have little ear from homeless camps and those people. The crime generally happens from those who are not homeless. Don't be fearful - it's just your perception.

[@bandodeloucos6539]

A única diferença dos moradores de rua dos Estados Unidos para os do Brasil é que lá eles falam inglês, eles não faz mal a ninguém quem rouba celular no centro da cidade são crianças com bicicleta

[@arize4349]

zory zigo vay heb andres frad clante vanjully kam os internet tmodern nan niet met zigo

[@maxbrunot]

É mentira. Fizeram o psicológico da mina pra ela nao sair do quarto. Mas ela se acha tambem né, olha o tamanho da cidade, quem vai ta se importando com você ? Tenho certeza que SP é mais segura que a cidade dela proporcionalmente

[@ordemeprogresso4]

Esses prédios do centro de são Paulo são horríveis kkk não sei como deixaram construir isso kk

[@a085a]

No Brasil todo! Calçadas, casas, ruas e prédios sem nenhum pingo beleza.

[@joseluciocorrea1866]

Você conhece mesmo o centro de SP? Tem prédios belíssimos por todo o centro, além de prédios históricos e igrejas antigas muito bonitas: eis alguns só como exemplo - Martinelli, Farol Santander, o prédio da Light, as grandes torres do Anhangabaú, os da Líbero Badaró, as dezenas de prédios de escritórios da rua XV de Novembro, o mosteiro de S. Bento, o de S. Francisco, a catedral, a Faculdade de Direito, o Teatro Municipal e muitos mais!

[@gabrielYgc]

Essa pessoa deve ter muita inveja da cidade de São Paulo, só pode.....

[@Monza88]

mina chata!!!!

[@marcioaugustosenarollo1033]

Downtown São Paulo is dangerous.. it is actually the worst neghboorhood to stay.... If u had stayed in jardins, vila madalena or Bela Vista u would definetely have had a different experience

[@AlikiTravelBlog]

hahah yes I think so 😊

[@30111315]

Não vai ganhar nenhum seguidor no Brasil

[@gabrielmarcolin8180]

para aqueles que nao se afetam com opinião sincera ela irá ganhar sim.

[@CASA_DO_FUTEBOL]

BOLSONARO 2022.....

[@filipevieiradeoliveira4734]

You are confusing poverty and unequality with violence, this is a colonial mind for sure. 😢