Sao Paulo Reports

**The Cane** · 04-17-25 14:02

Originally Posted by Tochka [View Original Post]

Or in case of ATM malfunction or not dispensing any money. Until the damn whirring stops and money is dispensed anything can happen.

This happened to me once in Brazil (Curitiba). It was at a major mall using a machine that was not specific to a particular bank (that's what I could find). Apparently the machine lost connectivity or something and didn't dispense my money. It said wait a few minutes and try again. I did, and on the second attempt I was able to withdraw the money. Afterwards I checked my Schwab checking account which showed two attempts to withdraw the money, the first unsuccessful and the second successful. I then locked my account so that no more withdrawals could take place until I myself unlocked the account. I love that feature! That along with refunds of any and all fees and great customer service (I don't hand that compliment out easily because most businesses don't deserve it) makes the Schwab debit card an excellent choice for the traveling monger. One of the best things I ever did was open that checking account with Schwab. They put $60 in ATM fees recently incurred in Brazil back into my account. Not a lot of banks are going to do that. When I'm overseas I hit the ATMs freely because I know I will get all of the fees back. The Cane does not pay fees to access my own money!

**Tochka** · 04-17-25 13:41

Originally Posted by SamaRiding [View Original Post]

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. Agncia 0495.

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

Agreed use Bradesco bank inside the lobby. There is a Bradesco across from Moema metro. I think the lobby closes at 8 pm. Personally my go to are the Bradesco banks with lobby open late at night until 11 pm. The Santadar ATM in Shopping Ibirapuera mall is a 50-50 deal. Sometimes works fine with credit card withdrawal other times has limits of 1000 reais max. Sometimes rejects debit card transaction with nada explanation.

Also be careful using debit card vs credit cards because some bank ATM run out of paper to print proof of withdrawal or in case of ATM malfunction or not dispensing any money. Until the damn whirring stops and money is dispensed anything can happen.

**The Cane** · 04-17-25 11:39

Originally Posted by DasBooty [View Original Post]

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** · 04-17-25 08:08

Originally Posted by Guest19 [View Original Post]

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** · 04-17-25 06:57

Originally Posted by Guest19 [View Original Post]

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** · 04-17-25 04:03

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** · 04-17-25 02:08

Originally Posted by Lalabo [View Original Post]

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** · 04-17-25 00:24

Originally Posted by TheCane [View Original Post]

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** · 04-16-25 21:15

Originally Posted by Tochka [View Original Post]

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** · 04-16-25 21:14

Originally Posted by Turgid [View Original Post]

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** · 04-16-25 21:09

Originally Posted by TheCane [View Original Post]

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** · 04-16-25 14:41

Originally Posted by ZuluTango25 [View Original Post]

......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** · 04-15-25 16:01

Originally Posted by Tochka [View Original Post]

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** · 04-15-25 15:36

Originally Posted by Guest19 [View Original Post]

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** · 04-15-25 07:03

Originally Posted by Steve9696 [View Original Post]

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.