Rio de Janeiro holds the title of best of Brazil when it comes to tourism. Why not? The beaches and unending samba beats get all the press. Rio has become the darling, not only of Brazil’s tourist industry, but also of all South America’s. Despite being bigger in size and population than New York, Sao Paulo is often relegated to its country’s second string when it comes to tourism. As Brazil grows economically, perhaps Sao Paulo will be “discovered” for what it is: a vibrant city with more going on than anywhere else in South America.

The biggest surprise that greets visitors to Sao Paulo is its diversity. This truly is a world city. Tourists might actually be frustrated by the fact that they are not immediately recognized as “gringos.” It is not uncommon for locals to speak to tourists in Portuguese because they mistake them for locals. Sao Paulo has significant populations of Japanese (the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan), Arabic peoples, Koreans, and Europeans. Parts of the city have an Italian flare, while others have an afro-Brazilian atmosphere. All this combines for a jumble of culture, food, and life that is like nowhere else.

Like any big city, Sao Paulo can cause plenty of headaches. Getting around takes a bit of planning. Traffic is nothing short of hellish, but Sao Paulo is a city of neighborhoods, and once you get to where you are going, walking is easy. There is also an extensive subway and rail system. These can also get crowded during peak hours, but, in general, they are the most convenient way to get from A to B. Buses, usually staffed with speed loving drivers, reach every area of the city that does not have a rail station.

Sao Paulo is a great city full of diverse neighborhoods and uncommon experiences. No, it’s not Rio, but it is worth checking out.

Theatres in Sao Paulo