Where to stay in São Paulo: tips from a local

You might find it hard to decide where to stay in São Paulo, Brazil. It’s a huge city, with many neighborhoods with different vibes, so someone who doesn’t know it well can easily be overwhelmed. That’s why I invited guest writer Lanna Sanches, a journalist born and raised in São Paulo, to write this article and help you choose accommodation in the megalopolis.

Before we start, it’s important to say that the city of São Paulo has a good network of subways, trains, and buses. Therefore, by staying in most popular locations you will be able to explore other areas of the city by using public transportation.

However, if you stay somewhere far away from the main attractions you want to see, or if you plan on using Uber all the time, beware of the heavy traffic, especially in the early morning and late afternoon rush hours. Taking taxis is more expensive, but usually quicker, because they are allowed to use the bus lanes.

Another important thing to point out is that São Paulo is known for being an expensive city for Latin American standards, although it might not be an issue if you get paid in a stronger currency such as USD or Euros. In any case, we chose accommodations in different price ranges, so you see which one fits your budget.

Last thing before we talk about the best neighborhoods to stay in São Paulo: many people ask if São Paulo is a dangerous city. As this is a large Latin American capital, where social inequality is very high, you do need to take some precautions. Take good care of your belongings and avoid walking alone at night in empty streets, for instance.

It’s advisable to not have your phone and other valuables in your hand when you’re out in the street and to be mindful of pickpockets when you’re in crowded places. When choosing accommodation, it’s good to read the reviews from previous guests (on sites like Booking.com) to see if they mention something related to safety.

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Where to stay in São Paulo: best neighborhoods

Avenida Paulista, between Bela Vista and Jardim Paulista: near many tourist attractions

Paulista Avenue is probably the most known avenue in the city, and around it you will find several of its most famous tourist attractions, making it a great area to stay in São Paulo. Among the places you might want to visit there’s one of the city’s best museums, MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand).

It’s also worth visiting the SESC viewpoint, the free exhibitions at Itaú Cultural and Moreira Salles Institute (IMS), bohemian Rua Augusta and other attractions.

The neighborhoods of Bela Vista and Jardim Paulista, which are around Paulista Avenue, also have countless restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, and many shops and malls. There are also three subway stations along Paulista Avenue that facilitate access to different places in the city.

If you want a break from the big city vibes, on Avenida Paulista you will also find two parks: Parque Trianon and Parque Prefeito Mário Covas. Furthermore, you will be fairly close to the great Parque Ibirapuera (which also houses interesting museums) and the newer Parque Augusta, which is small, but very nice.

This is considered a safe region to stay in São Paulo, but it’s always good to be careful. In Paulista Avenue there’s a “gang” of cyclists who rob people’s cell phones and handbags when they’re distracted.

Where to stay on Avenida Paulista and surrounding areas

I’ve gathered some suggestions of good places to stay in São Paulo in the Avenida Paulista region, in the Bela Vista and Jardim Paulista neighborhoods:

Hotel Trianon Paulista – This is a four-star hotel with many amenities, such as a swimming pool, city views, breakfast, work area, restaurant, and gym.

Apart Hotel – In this accommodation you have a fully equipped apartment with an exclusive area for work. The building has a swimming pool and sauna.

Paulista Acomodação – If you’re looking for a place with a homely feel, this is it. Carmen’s flowery house welcomes travelers in comfortable suites, and you can ask her questions about the city and get some rest in the hammock in the garden.

Hostel Trilhas e Rotas – Just 150 meters from Avenida Paulista, this hostel is affordable and has a shared kitchen. Breakfast is included and the place is very well rated by guests.

See all the accommodation options in São Paulo in the Avenida Paulista region or check out all the options in Bela Vista and Jardim Paulista.

Vila Madalena and Pinheiros: bohemian neighborhoods

Among the most popular choices of where to stay in São Paulo, other highlights are the neighborhoods Vila Madalena and Pinheiros. For those who like bars, live music, street art and cultural diversity, this area is a great choice.

Known as bohemian neighborhoods, they have tree-lined streets, many cafes, bars, and restaurants – some of them with grass and beach chairs that can even make you forget that you are in a concrete jungle.

If you like to eat well, go to hipster cafes, and enjoy the nightlife, this is a nice area to stay in. If you just want to relax and enjoy the city during the day, the region also has some cool attractions, such as Beco do Batman (streets with many graffiti murals), Praça do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Square), Museu da Pessoa, Instituto Tomie Ohtake, CineSala, and more.

There are dozens of restaurants in this region, from more sophisticated options to food trucks and such, including vegan and vegetarian options. There aren’t so many subway stations around here, but there are bus lines that won’t let you down.

This area is considered safe and most streets tend to be very busy. If you prefer a calmer, residential area, the Sumaré neighborhood, close to Vila Madalena, is a good choice.

Where to stay in Vila Madalena and Pinheiros

Noon Vila Madalena – this highly praised hotel has comfortable and spacious rooms, a private pool and gym, and a great breakfast.

Uniclass Hotel Pinheiros – Uniclass hotel has a 24-hour reception, rooms for couples and families, bar, room service, and other amenities.

By Way Studios Vila Madá – Studio appartments equipped with everything you need, as well as a great view of the city, swimming pool and gym.

Apartment in Pinheiros – Cozy 35m² apartment with equipped kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom. They also offer a 24-hour reception, swimming pool and free parking.

Ô de Casa Hostel – Close to Beco do Batman, this hostel is very popular among backpackers, being known for its welcoming atmosphere. It has a swimming pool, restaurant, and accessible facilities for people with disabilities.

Villa Hostel – This is a cheap place to stay in São Paulo with a good common area, spacious balcony, and shared kitchen. They have dormitories and private rooms.

See all accommodation options in Pinheiros and surrounding areas.

República and Santa Cecília: São Paulo’s historic center

If you like history and a more “alternative” vibe, the center of São Paulo might be the best choice. There are many places to see around there, especially if you want to learn more about the city’s past. It’s a big region, but I’ll focus on the República and Santa Cecília neighborhoods and their surroundings, which are the most suitable for accommodation.

There you’ll find squares, bookstores and many interesting attractions such as Galeria do Rock (a rock’n’roll themed mall), the Municipal Theater, the Sampa SKY viewpoint, the Sala São Paulo, the Favela Museum, the Pinacoteca, and the Portuguese Language Museum (Museu da Língua Portuguesa).

This region has a good network of buses, subways and trains that take you to all corners of the city. On weekends there are often markets and cultural events around there.

It’s also worth visiting the Minhocão, an elevated expressway that has become a very popular leisure space in recent years, because it gets closed to cars and open to people on weekends and holidays. Many traditional bars and restaurants and some hipster cafes are also located in this region, many of which with fairly good prices.

Furthermore, I recommend taking the free walking tour that starts in the most central region, usually in Praça da Sé or Vale do Anhangabaú. Speaking of which, also check out the black culture walking tours that take place in the Liberdade neighborhood, which is well known for Asian immigration, but has a black history that few people know about.

The neighborhoods I recommend the most for staying in the central region of São Paulo are República and Santa Cecília, as I mentioned before, as they are more bohemian and have become quite “up-and-coming” (almost gentrified, to be honest). Although some areas are a bit run-down, there are more and more hyped bars and stores.

However, it is recommended to pay extra attention when walking around there at night and during weekends, when there are less people in the streets. Of all the regions listed here, this is the one that requires the most caution from tourists.

Where to stay in the center of São Paulo

Vem pro Copan – Imagine staying in one of the most iconic buildings in the city of São Paulo? This is a very charming studio in the emblematic Copan building, designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, with a spectacular view of the city (it’s the main building shown in the photo above).

Slaviero São Paulo Downtown – Close to República subway station, this hotel offers a swimming pool, breakfast, gym, bar, and restaurant.

Aurora Paulistana – Here you can stay in furnished apartments with private kitchens and bathrooms, outdoor pool, gym etc. It’s close to República subway station.

Selina Aurora – The Selina franchise is well known for offering a good structure with workspace, airport transfer, restaurant, 24-hour reception and beautiful decor.

See all the accommodation options in the Center of São Paulo or check out the best places to stay at the República neighborhood.

Still haven’t decided where to stay in São Paulo? Click here to browse through all the accommodation available in São Paulo and make your reservation.

FAQs about where to stay in São Paulo

Where to stay in São Paulo for cheap?

If you are looking for cheap accommodation in São Paulo, there are a few good options throughout the city. Near Vila Madalena and Avenida Paulista there are many hostels with great reviews and close to the city’s main tourist attractions.

In addition to the hostels already mentioned above, check out these ones:

Soul Hostel – in the Belavista neighborhood, close to Avenida Paulista and near Trianon MASP subway station, it has shared rooms (mixed and female only), a garden, common areas, a bar and a good breakfast.

Zen Hostel in Vila Madalena – this tree-lined hostel has a homely feel, with a welcoming garden. It has both private and shared rooms and is highly praised by guests, with an average score of 9,4 on Booking.

Vilarejo Hostel Pinheiros – Close to Fradique Coutinho station, this hostel has a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator and toaster, workspace, and an area for socializing with other guests.

São Paulo Wanderlust G Hostel – Near the Santa Cecília subway station, this LGBTQIA+ friendly hostel has a 24-hour reception, equipped kitchen, laundry, a highly praised breakfast, and a barbecue area.

If you want to save even more, take a look at the topic about Worldpackers at the end of this article to find out how to stay in São Paulo for free.

Where to stay in São Paulo near the airport?

São Paulo has two airports: the international one, which is in another city (Guarulhos), and the domestic one, called Congonhas.

Guarulhos International Airport is further away; If you want to be closer to the city for sightseeing, but not too far from this airport, you can stay in the North Zone of São Paulo. An interesting location is the Santana neighborhood, which has a good infrastructure of restaurants and leisure, and easy access to the subway that takes you to the airport.

If you want to stay even closer to the airport, in the city of Guarulhos, there are dozens of options. But be aware that the hotels nearest to the airport aren’t always easily accessible by public transport.

Where to stay in São Paulo near Guarulhos airport:

Sleep Inn Guarulhos Airport – 6 km from the airport

Pousada Guarulhos – 10 km from the airport

Apartment near the airport – 4 km from the airport

Hostel Brasil Gru – 4 km from the airport

On the other hand, Congonhas airport is located within the city of São Paulo, in Vila Congonhas. Nearby is the Moema neighborhood, which is a great location. It has good restaurants, is close to Ibirapuera Park, has a subway station, and is just 3 km from Congonhas airport.

Where to stay in São Paulo near Congonhas airport:

Studio House Hotel – 2 km from the airport

Congonhas Airport Hotel – 2 km from the airport

Charlie Aeroporto Congonhas CGH – 2 km from the airport

Micasa Hostel– 1.7 km from the airport

Where to stay in São Paulo for free

Did you know that you can get free accommodation in São Paulo? You just need to be a volunteer through the work exchange platform Worldpackers. It works like this: you help the host with tasks they need and receive accommodation and other benefits, such as meals and tours.

There are several great vacancies for volunteering in São Paulo. You can help at the reception or at the bar of a hostel, collaborate with painting and decoration, be an assistant in the kitchen, lend a hand with digital marketing and much more.

In addition to being a great way to save money, this type of trip allows you to get to know the destination like a local. It’s great for those who want to make friends from different parts of Brazil and from around the world, practice languages and discover many interesting places in addition to the more traditional tourist spots.

Click here to check all the opportunities currently available in São Paulo. If you want to apply for one of them (or more), you need to pay an annual fee of 49 USD. But if you click here or use the JANELASABERTAS discount coupon you only pay 39 USD. By registering you can travel through the platform as many times as you want during a whole year in more than 140 countries.

For more information, read our article on How Worldpackers works.

Written by Lanna Sanches, creator of the travel blog Elas Viajam Sozinhas (They Travel Alone) and a guest writer at Janelas Abertas. Born and raised in São Paulo, she has been traveling around Latin America for 6 years.

When you make your reservation through the links in this article, I earn a small commission that allows me to bring you more free content and you don’t pay anything extra. Transparency is a fundamental value for Janelas Abertas blog. The photos that illustrate this blog post are from Deposit Photos.