Sao Paulo

São Paulo is a cosmopolitan centre and a cultural capital with an energy all of its own, very different from laid-back Rio with its beach culture. The large influx of Greek, Italian and Japanese immigrants has formed distinctive communities.

Cuisine from around the world is given a distinctive Brazilian twist in restaurants to suit every budget and taste. The vibrant cultural scene is bolstered by ever-changing exhibitions and a host of annual festivals, while the city's bars and clubs can rival any that Rio has to offer.

The sheer scale of São Paulo can be daunting for the first-time visitor. Home to 11 million people, the urban sprawl is criss-crossed by six-lane highways and concrete flyovers, with few natural landmarks to guide the visitor. But the city's countless skyscrapers are home to the banks, insurance firms, industrial giants and media empires that make this Brazil's most prosperous city.