Sao Paulo Reports

[The Cane]

Look for Bradesco ATM's, they're the best.

Bradesco is my preferred but Santander also works well with my Schwab debit card. Schwab also refunds all ATM fees (was like $60) which I greatly appreciate!

[SamaRiding]

Thanks.

Walked to the mall to get some money. Santander ATMs declined my chase debit card. I called chase and they told me there was no any declines on chase side. It is the bank. There is an exchange on a third floor, so exchanged some dollars.

Try the ATMs at the free standing banks. Not the ones in stores or the mall.

This is my go to bank on the same avenue and accept Chase bank card.

Banco Bradesco. Agência 0495.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5aTpqji5YxR...s.preview.copy

[DasBooty]

Walked to the mall to get some money. Santander ATMs declined my chase debit card. I called chase and they told me there was no any declines on chase side. It is the bank. There is an exchange on a third floor, so exchanged some dollars.

Look for Bradesco ATM's, they're the best.

[Blakman]

I thought this was the best decision I made. I experienced a vibrant, diverse community closely populated by entertainment, restaurants, and shopping malls. In fact, it seemed to be a carbon copy of New York. Yes theres like 2% homeless people but no different in America with the invasion of fentanyl. Police ride up and down the roads consistently at night time. Apart from the homeless the other people roaming the streets are party goers like yourself. I loved walking to and from casarao to my apartment building, which had great security. I think the earliest I walked home was 2 am and sometimes coming in about 5 am. In my opinion Casarao was the best somewhat reasonable priced place to monger with numbers of talent so why not be as close by as possible. There was no annoying noise from flight as people posted about moema. But if you are into the spas then I would agree to be close by in the moema area.

[The Cane]

I will add my 2 cents, so folks can decide where to stay. Mercure hotels usually don't seem to have sound proofed windows and that is the case with Mercure Times Square (MTS). The windows they have are bit better than the ones in apartments. If there is a nearby construction during you stay, then you don't need an alarm to get up in the morning. Other benefit of staying in MTS when there is nearby construction is you can do clinica runs, sightseeing or some other activity during daytime because you won't be able to sleep. At night there won't be any construction and also there are not many flights going over Wyndham either. There was construction across the street (near Al Kaseem restaurant) from hotel MTS during my 1st stay. The construction noise woke me up every day by 8 am and couldn't sleep during the day because of the loud noise. Luckily there is no such loud construction during my recent stays. I would pick Wyndham over MTS if there is nearby construction. That said, under Wyndham management the hotel has gone downhill. It is now very poorly maintained and with poor management. One big advantage MTS has over Wyndham is that it is, like Steve9696 said, very girl friendly.

I stayed at this hotel at least a couple of times and there was zero noise from planes flying overhead. I don't know if the windows were sound proof or not. All I know is there was no airport noise. There also was no construction going on at the time of my stays though, so I can't address that. The Wyndham is in a more convenient location, but the MTS certainly isn't inconveniently located, and the screeching overhead planes cancel out any advantages to be had from the Wyndham's location if you ask me. Advantage MTS when it comes to avoiding airport noise. Based on my direct experience. I won't stay at the Wyndham again.

[Lalabo]

You can find hotels in Moema with little to no noise. The Mercure Times Square is one such hotel. I can personally vouch for it. But don't let anyone con you into staying at the Wyndham with claims of insulated windows! I stayed there during my last visit to Sampa, and it's directly in the flight path and noisy! Very convenient but don't stay there if you're a light sleeper or if jet airplane noise just bothers you. Otherwise the actual accommodation was fine, and Moema is extremely safe.

I will add my 2 cents, so folks can decide where to stay. Mercure hotels usually don't seem to have sound proofed windows and that is the case with Mercure Times Square (MTS). The windows they have are bit better than the ones in apartments. If there is a nearby construction during you stay, then you don't need an alarm to get up in the morning. Other benefit of staying in MTS when there is nearby construction is you can do clinica runs, sightseeing or some other activity during daytime because you won't be able to sleep. At night there won't be any construction and also there are not many flights going over Wyndham either. There was construction across the street (near Al Kaseem restaurant) from hotel MTS during my 1st stay. The construction noise woke me up every day by 8 am and couldn't sleep during the day because of the loud noise. Luckily there is no such loud construction during my recent stays. I would pick Wyndham over MTS if there is nearby construction. That said, under Wyndham management the hotel has gone downhill. It is now very poorly maintained and with poor management. One big advantage MTS has over Wyndham is that it is, like Steve9696 said, very girl friendly.

[Guest19]

Check the Sao Paulo Hotels and List thread. Moema area including Allure, Mercure, Charlie, Wyndham, Tsue Palace, various airbnbs, have been reviewed about safety, price, guest friendly, noise, traffic, Uber, etc. Just read back through the many pages there. IMHO the main consideration for Moema is the fucking screaming jets taking at off 0600 am sharp and all day long. You can see the QR code on the bottom of the livery of GOL planes landing at CGH from almost any Moema Clinica. There are at least 10 to 12 clinicas, spas.

Ten minutes walking distance or short inexpensive uber rides to tangara, Scandallo, Casarao at night.

Thanks.

Checkedin in Allure this morning. Hotel is very nice, clean and furniture are modern. Rooms are much smaller when on pictures, but have everything. Unfortunately, there are no safety boxes in rooms. They have laundry in the basement. In couple days will try it. No iron and iron board in the room. Rooms are more or less soundproofed. You can hear the noise, but it not even close to the noise on the street.

Walked to the mall to get some money. Santander ATMs declined my chase debit card. I called chase and they told me there was no any declines on chase side. It is the bank. There is an exchange on a third floor, so exchanged some dollars.

[ZuluTango25]

In that order? I don't know about that. I would do Rio first. You want to be at top strength to handle those Rio garotas.

Already booked flight tickets. So I have to stick to the plan this time. May be my next trip. Thank you for your suggestion.

[Steve 9696]

You can find hotels in Moema with little to no noise. The Mercure Times Square is one such hotel. I can personally vouch for it. But don't let anyone con you into staying at the Wyndham with claims of insulated windows! I stayed there during my last visit to Sampa, and it's directly in the flight path and noisy! Very convenient but don't stay there if you're a light sleeper or if jet airplane noise just bothers you. Otherwise the actual accommodation was fine, and Moema is extremely safe.

Plus every Mercure I've stayed in (4 or 5) is girl friendly. They don't bat an eye. No registration. Just walk to the elevators and up you go!

[Turgid]

......I am taking a 1st trip to Brazil next week for 9 days and plan on visiting So Paulo and Rio........

In that order? I don't know about that. I would do Rio first. You want to be at top strength to handle those Rio garotas.

[The Cane]

Check the Sao Paulo Hotels and List thread. Moema area including Allure, Mercure, Charlie, Wyndham, Tsue Palace, various airbnbs, have been reviewed about safety, price, guest friendly, noise, traffic, Uber, etc. Just read back through the many pages there. IMHO the main consideration for Moema is the fucking screaming jets taking at off 0600 am sharp and all day long. You can see the QR code on the bottom of the livery of GOL planes landing at CGH from almost any Moema Clinica. There are at least 10 to 12 clinicas, spas.

Ten minutes walking distance or short inexpensive uber rides to tangara, Scandallo, Casarao at night.

You can find hotels in Moema with little to no noise. The Mercure Times Square is one such hotel. I can personally vouch for it. But don't let anyone con you into staying at the Wyndham with claims of insulated windows! I stayed there during my last visit to Sampa, and it's directly in the flight path and noisy! Very convenient but don't stay there if you're a light sleeper or if jet airplane noise just bothers you. Otherwise the actual accommodation was fine, and Moema is extremely safe.

[Tochka]

Hi all,

I am visiting SP in April 16-20th and staying in Allure Moema hotel. First time I was in SP 15 years ago just for 2 days and in the first day somebody tried to rob us 10 minutes after we arrived to the center of the city, next to the opera house. They tried it second time in 5 minutes. We got scared and went to the hotel. Next day we hired a private guide and he showed us the city.

So, I am wondering how save is Moema area, especially in the night?

Check the Sao Paulo Hotels and List thread. Moema area including Allure, Mercure, Charlie, Wyndham, Tsue Palace, various airbnbs, have been reviewed about safety, price, guest friendly, noise, traffic, Uber, etc. Just read back through the many pages there. IMHO the main consideration for Moema is the fucking screaming jets taking at off 0600 am sharp and all day long. You can see the QR code on the bottom of the livery of GOL planes landing at CGH from almost any Moema Clinica. There are at least 10 to 12 clinicas, spas.

Ten minutes walking distance or short inexpensive uber rides to tangara, Scandallo, Casarao at night.

[ZuluTango25]

I don't know your budget but the area around Casarao isn't exactly where you want to stay. You can stay at a nice hotel in the paulista area and it's only 5 min uber to Casarao. Even if you stay farther away you don't go to casarao till 11 Pm earliest so traffic isn't so bad.

Thank you Steve9696. Moving to Moema area. Thank you for your input.

[ZuluTango25]

Ckeck hotels like Mercure Alamedas, close to av. Paulista. There's no hotel a stone's throw from Casarao and if you are a 10 minutes's walk from Casarao you don't walk there at night anyway.

Moving to EZ Aclimacao.

After seeing the street views of Augusta street, I decided to cancel my reservation at Moncloa.

Thank you for you input.

[XXL]

Ran into this forum while researching on Brazil and would like to thank all of you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

I have not explored much out side USA except for few trips to Tijuana MX.

I am taking a 1st trip to Brazil next week for 9 days and plan on visiting So Paulo and Rio.

I have a quick question and hoping to get some help.

Anyone has any input on Moncloa hotel next to Casaro? Considering Casaro being the late night spot, I am thinking staying close by would avoid late night uber rides.

Is there a better alternative / suggestion? I am guessing hotels close to Casaro would be visitor friendly.

Ckeck hotels like Mercure Alamedas, close to av. Paulista. There's no hotel a stone's throw from Casarao and if you are a 10 minutes's walk from Casarao you don't walk there at night anyway.