Finding yourself stuck in São Paulo for an extended layover? Unfortunately it’s a common problem when flying domestically around Brazil. The ideal scenario would be to dedicate time to actual experiencing the city, but when your itinerary doesn’t allow – what’s the best way to kill 7+ hours in São Paulo? Read on for our guide of the best destination in São Paulo and how to maximize your long layover.
For those running into this issue, it’s a high chance you’re flying on GOL airlines so first...
Is GOL airlines legit?
If you're traveling around Brazil, you will quickly become familiar with the name GOL airlines. Coming from the USA, we were unfamiliar with GOL and read some not so pleasant stories online. It's extremely affordable though so we decided to take the risk. We did run into an issue a few weeks after booking when our 9:30pm flight was cancelled and we were rebooked to the following morning. That didn't work for us. Their website is horrible and very glitchy but their customer service via phone was solid and we were rebooked on a flight that did work for us with in 10 minutes.
In person, our experience was great however, with 0 issues across the 3 times we flew with GOL. We left right on time each flight, had no issues carrying on our suitcases and overall would recommend!
Check the airport before booking flights through São Paulo:
São Paulo's domestic (Congonhas, CGH) and international (Guarulhos, GRU) airports are almost 2 hours apart on public transportation. If you opt for an Uber, it will still take you slightly over an hour - in good traffic. From the sounds of it good traffic in São Paulo is rare though. Transferring airports adds considerable time and while a 5 hour layover may feel like a long time, make sure you are checking traffic throughout the day and appropriately budgeting your time. We had also been in Brazil for the week prior and did not need to factor in time for immigration or picking up our luggage.
Where should I go during my long layover?
We chose Beco de Batman as our starting point due to a. our interest in the graffiti and artist culture of this area and b. its proximity to Vila Madalena. Vila Madalena, is a buzzing neighborhood in São Paulo, known for its bohemian charm. Once a center for counterculture, it's become an upper-middle class area filled with art galleries, trendy shops and casual cafes. A few blocks outside of Vila Madalena, street art explodes with color in Beco do Batman, an alley transformed into an open-air gallery by local and international artists.
Getting into São Paulo from the airports:
While there are buses that operate to and from both São Paulo airports, we were eager to get this long layover moving and didn’t want to waste time unnecessarily. Using the free wifi in the arrivals deck, we were able to call an Uber for ~ $10USD from Congonhas. The drive to Vila Madalena with Beco de Batman as our destination took us approximately 30 minutes.
For those arriving into GRU the drive will be more like 1 hour via Uber and ~$25.
So what do I do with my luggage?
A simple solution if you truly are just spending a few hours in São Paulo is to check out Radical Storage. Search the map for a convenient location (in this case right in Beco de Batman) and make your reservation online in advance. You’ll set a time and estimated pickup. Cost will depend on the length of time they hold your luggage – we paid $6.75USD/per bag for our 4 hour stay.
Once your luggage is secured it’s time to explore São Paulo. Luckily, you’ll already be right in the thick of it.
What should I do around Beco de Batman/Vila Madalena?
Wander the alleyways admiring the art work as you go. Stop for pictures and get up close and personal with the oversized murals surrounding you. Look for vendors sending handmade jewelry, vintage treasures and colorful Brazilian clothing. Lured by the tropical patterns, we paid just $20 for a one of a kind short sleeve button-down I’m planning to wear all summer. Check out Mercado Poucas too for fun selection of clothes, accessories and home goods. Once you’ve gotten your fill, head a few blocks over to Escadaria do Patapio – graffitied stairs that are worth a look.
If you’re ready for a snack, head on over to Rua Harmonia, where you’ll find Oakberry. This truly was one of the best açaí bowls we had in Brazil – and we had quite a few!
Once you’ve devoured the fun layered style of Oakberry’s açaí bowl, continue up Rua Harmonia making your way into Vila Madalena. Rua Harmonia is a picturesque street filled with colorful apartments, beautiful trees and cute boutiques to walk in. We made a few stops into interesting looking stores and it was fun to see the different fashions at stores like Hering.
Turn left at some point on whatever street peaks your interest before heading back down to Rua Aspicuelta Pinheiros. Here you’ll find one of the main streets of the area and a prime spot to grab lunch, a beer (or two) or a quick game of futbol on the television.
Restaurants that peaked our interest were O Pasquim Bar e Prosa, Banana Verde and Peixaria Bar e Venda but there are tons of cute options to choose from!
We wandered a bit south of Rua Aspicuelta Pinheiros to Rua do Pinheiros which is nice if you
have time. This area is mostly residential but you’ll find a few more restaurant and boutiques here.
With 4 hours killed and our anxiety mounting about making the one hour (or more with traffic) drive to GRU, we were ready to head out. Our luggage was easily picked up and we were able to use the free wifi in front of our Radical Storage to call an Uber.
We made good time but there are lots of horror stories about São Paulo traffic if you search on other sites. Keep this in mind but your day exploring (even this small part of) yet another great Brazilian city!