Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 336

INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist information Available at the Tietê Rodoviária,
Congonhas and Guarulhos, though these desks are not
especially helpful. You're better off buying a Mapa Turistico
(R$14.99) at the Laselva Bookstore or heading to the
central information booths at Av São João 473, near Praça
da República, or Av Paulista 1853, between MASP and
Consolação (daily 9am-6pm; W cidadedesaopaulo.com/sp
/en), where they're friendly and have excellent pamphlets
and free maps.
Tour operators TurisMetrô ( T 11 7716 5141, W www
.metro.sp.gov.br/cultura-lazer) runs free 3hr city tours (Sat &
Sun 9am & 2pm; English spoken) departing from Sé metrô
station, with your only expense the metrô ticket. Also check
out City Tour São Paulo ( T 11 5182 3974, W circuitosaopaulo
.com.br), who offer city, shopping, culinary and nightlife
tours starting at R$60. For football matches and the
World Cup contact Futebol Experience ( T 11 3167 7905,
W fxp.com.br) who run expert trips to the three major city
clubs: São Paulo, Corinthians and Palmeiras.

HOSTELS AND POUSADAS
VILA MADALENA AND JARDIM PAULISTA
Casa Club Hostel Rua Mourato Coelho 973, Vila Madalena
T 11 3798 0051, W casaclub.com.br; map p.338. A lively
hostel in a corner house in this artsy bairro ; a 25min walk
from the metrô and close to nightlife. Great downstairs
bar/kitchen under a man go tre e. Dorm s a little crowded,
but wi-fi included. Dorms R$40 , doubles R$110
Pousada Dona Zilah Alameda Franca 1621, Jardim
Paulista T 11 3062 1444, W zilah.com; map p.338. The only
real pousada in town: its location near Av Paulista, friendly,
family touches and superb breakfast buffet have meant
a rise in price. Quad rooms availabl e. Wi-fi and e xcellen t
Zilah Gourmet restaurant downstairs. R$240 , quad R$390
São Paulo HI Hostel (Vila Madelena) Rua Girassol 519,
Vila Madalena T 11 3031 6779, W hostelsampa.com.br;
map p.338. Smarter and cosier than the downtown option,
with consummate facilities and close to great bars.
HI-discount available. Dorms R$45 , doubles R$130
CENTRAL SÃO PAULO AND BIXIGA
Lime Time Hostel Rua Treze de Maio 1552, Bixiga T 11
2935 5463, W limetimehostels.com; map pp.332-333. Won't
win awards for its dorms but more than makes up for it with
friendly vibes: great caipirinhas , free use of Macs and wi-fi,
kitchen (no breakfast), PlayStation , and guided nights o ut.
Near Bixiga and Av Paulista. Dorms R$35 , doubles R$120
Pousada Dos Franceses Rua dos Franceses 100, Bixiga
T 11 3288 1592, W pousadadosfranceses.com.br; map
p.335. More smart hostel than pousada, in an ideal spot
near Av Paulista and Bixiga. Fresh, blue rooms, small
garden, guest kitchen and a mix of ac commo dation (wi-fi
R$5/day extra). Dorms R$46 , doubles R$115
São Paulo HI Hostel (Downtown) Rua Barão de
Campinas 94 T 11 3333 0844, W hostelsp.com.br; map
p.335. The downtown area is grimy but this gigantic
hostel is near the metrô, safe, friendly and with numerous
faciliti es, inc luding a roof t errace. HI-discount available.
Dorms R$45 , doubles R$98

3

GETTING AROUND
Avoid travelling around 4-7pm when the metrô and road
network suffer from serious overcrowding.
By metrô Currently five lines but undergoing massive
expansion; pick up a metrô map at any station or view
at W www.metro.sp.gov.br. The most useful lines are:
Azul (blue, north-south), serving Tietê, downtown, Vila
Mariana and Jabaquara; Vermelha (red, east-west) from
Barra Funda to downtown and the Arena de São Paulo
(World Cup Stadium) at Itapuera; Verde (green, east-
west) from Vila Madalena to Av Paulista and Ipiranga; and
Amarela (yellow, central-west), downtown to Av Paulista,
Pinheiros and Butantã (for USP university). Trains run
from 5am-midnight. One-trip tickets cost R$3; a Cartão
Fidelidade (R$2) will get you 8 trips for R$22 or 20 for R$54;
a Bilhete Único (free with identification; see W sptrans
.com.br for vendors) allows for up to 4 metrô or bus
journeys within 3hr for R$4.65.
By bus Sampa's notoriously congested roads and 1500
bus routes make navigating the city above ground seem
unduly complicated; it's best to use buses from metrô
stations, where you can ask advice on which lines go to
your destination. Standard fares are R$3; buy a Bilhete
Único (see above) if you are making up to 4 bus/train
journeys within 3hr. Buses run from 4am-midnight.
By taxi Taxis are metered and start at R$4. You can also
call the following cab companies: Coopertaxi ( T 11 6195
6000), Ligue Táxi ( T 11 3866 3030), Especial Rádio Taxi
( T 11 3146 4000).

Ì TREAT YOURSELF
There are ten Mercure Hotels
( W mercure.com.br) in São Paulo. They're
normally well outside the price range of
budget travellers, but offer a range of
weekend and national holiday promoções ,
including R$1 nights and the “Diária
Cultural”, where you buy a ticket to a
cinema, theatre or museum and use it to
get a room for one night for two people
at the weekend for a rate of R$179 (plus
tax) including an unlimited buffet
breakfast. A great way to take a break from
hostels and enjoy a night of luxury!

ACCOMMODATION
Note that all options serve breakfast unless otherwise
indicated.