São Paulo – January, high summer, the best time of the year to spend the day in flip flops and beachwear, by the sea. Or is it? Not necessarily. For citizens and visitors in the largest Brazilian metropolis, the first month of the year is also the calmest in which to enjoy the city’s attractions, because so many people are away. Even though the breeze and the sight of coconut trees are only an hour’s drive away, São Paulo has great stuff to offer those who stay. Next, to inspire you, ten reasons to kick off 2012 in the land of drizzle.
The traffic jams ease up. According to the Traffic Engineering Company (CET), the number of car trips made in São Paulo drops by 20% during school holidays. In other words, as less people leave home on four wheels, the traffic becomes lighter.
The lines for dinner at restaurant Famiglia Mancini become smaller. One of the city’s most traditional restaurants, the canteen in the Centre is also known for the long lines, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. In January, according to the restaurant, attendance drops by 20%.
It is easier to dive into barbecue at Fogo de Chão. A landmark in the city when it comes to beef, the barbecue chain receives less customers in the first month than it does in December. According to information from the chain, the calmest hours are dinnertime on Saturdays and Sundays.
The city’s anniversary. Due to turn 458 on January 25th, the metropolis always offers exhibitions and concerts to mark the date. Not into crowds? Well, the least you can do is read the special newspaper segments on the celebration, and on the diversity that makes São Paulo into a one-of-a-kind cultural melting pot in Brazil.
Going to the theatre and buying tickets on the spot. Is there a bigger luxury? Choose your play and head out to the session without fear. Most attractions return in the second week of the month.
Visiting the Museum of Portuguese Language during the week, in no rush at all. Without all the school student groups, it becomes much easier to walk around the rooms, where the main attraction is to play with the language. By the way: art show Oswald de Andrade – O culpado de tudo (Oswald de Andrade – guilty of everything), on the writer who was among the masterminds behind the 1922 Modern Art Week, will remain open until January 30th.
The parks become less crowded. And walking across Ibirapuera, for instance, in the middle of the afternoon, will always be a great thing to do.
Taking the time to go someplace different. One good tip is Lasar Segall Museum. The premises feature over 3,000 works by the namesake artist, who was born in Lithuania and made his career in Brazil. The museum is located in the house he used to live in, in a peaceful street in the Vila Mariana neighbourhood. Totally charming.
Sales. As soon as the New Year’s Eve celebration is over, shop windows start announcing discounts. January is the month of bargains in the city.
The 25th of March Street in peace. Speaking of shopping, you cannot overstate the fact that the first 30 days of the year are also the calmest at São Paulo’s most famous commercial street. After the hectic days of Christmas shopping, the street in the Centre is fully at ease. Or almost. One way or another, the boulevard will always be worth visiting.
Service
Famiglia Mancini
www.famigliamancini.com.br
Fogo de Chão
www.fogodechao.com.br
Museu da Língua Portuguesa
www.museulinguaportuguesa.org.br
Museu Lasar Segall
www.museusegall.org.br
25 de Março
www.guiada25.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
