São Paulo

The best time to visit is from May to September, when rainfall drops to 3-7 days per month and humidity is lower, making days pleasant and mild. April and October are transitional, with more rain but still comfortable temperatures. The rainiest stretch is December through March, with 17-25 rain days monthly and high humidity, though temperatures stay warm. For drier, cooler weather, aim for July and August, the most comfortable months.

Stay in Jardim Paulista for easy access to Avenida Paulista and the Museum of Art, with hotels like Hotel Emiliano and Renaissance São Paulo. Itaim Bibi suits business travelers and food lovers, near the Berrini district and hotels like Grand Hyatt and Sheraton WTC. Moema is residential and close to Ibirapuera Park, with Pullman Sao Paulo Ibirapuera. Vila Mariana offers a quieter, local feel near the park, with Grand Mercure Sao Paulo Ibirapuera.

Ibirapuera Park is the city's main green space, great for a stroll or a bike ride. The Mercado Municipal is a historic market hall where you can try local foods. MASP, with its iconic red building on Paulista Avenue, holds a major art collection. Pinacoteca de São Paulo showcases Brazilian art in a beautiful neoclassical building. Beco do Batman is an open-air street art alley in Vila Madalena.

Full-day tours from São Paulo head to Santos, with its beaches and coffee museum, and to the historic mountain town of Embu das Artes, known for its craft fairs. Another option is the colonial city of Paraty, a coastal town with preserved Portuguese architecture. These trips each take a full day, so plan to return to the city in the evening.

Plan four to five days. Three days cover the main sights: Ibirapuera Park, the Mercado Municipal, MASP and Pinacoteca for art, plus Beco do Batman and the Sé Cathedral. A fourth day lets you add the Museum of the Portuguese Language or the Museum of Contemporary Art. A day trip outside the city needs one extra day.