First Impressions of Sao Paulo…We Were Completely Wrong

by Fi and Nick | Feb 21, 2026 | Sao Paulo | 0 comments

Our first day in São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷 We share our real first impressions of the city — food, transport, safety, prices and what surprised us most. Is São Paulo worth visiting? Here’s what we found.

Fi and Nick explore São Paulo's diverse neighborhoods, from upscale districts to the vibrant Centro. They navigate public transport, including a surprisingly easy metro system, and sample local cuisine. Their journey includes a free walking tour and a visit to a district with the largest Japanese population outside Japan.

00:00 - We have made it to São Paulo 00:48 - Ibirapuera Park most beautiful park in São Paulo 04:30 - exploring Itaim Bibi 06:14 - A local Classic YUM! 11:24 - Checking out the Art District 13:40 - Walking in São Paulo 15:23 - trying the metro for the first time 17:40 - Exploring Centro São Paulo 23:40 - The largest Japanese Population outside of JAPAN 25:23 - Getting Japanese food 27:38 - Av Paulista