From November 1 to 3, the José Carlos Pace Autódromo – better known as Interlagoslocated in the south of the capital of São Paulo – will host one of the most anticipated races in world motorsport: the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix. The main category of world motorsport attracts the attention of speed lovers, and brings with it emotions for team fans.
For Argentines, 2024 has been the year of the rebirth of F1 with the inclusion of the Argentine driver Franco Colapinto in Williams. A flood of Argentine tourists will arrive in San Pablo to see the first Argentine driver to get into an F1 in 23 years.
F1 turns San Pablo, the largest South American city, into a pole of attraction for international tourism and is an opportunity to take advantage of the most vibrant aspects of this city of 12 million inhabitants, such as entertainment, gastronomy, art and culture. .
An essential tip for anyone going to Interlagos from the central region of São Paulo is to arrive by the suburban train, called CPTM (Compañía Paulista de Trenes Metropolitanos), on the Turquoise Line, which has connections with bus and metro terminals. The organization recommends taking the train and getting off at the “Autódromo” station, which will be properly signposted. The CPTM ticket costs 5 reais (0.85 cents). It is recommended to buy the return ticket also on the way out to avoid lines. Another option is the executive buses that the organization places in the main hotels in the city.
For the first time the racetrack will organize a Fanzone at the neighboring Kartódromo Ayrton Senna with entertainment, simulators and giant screens to follow the race listening to the engines live (https://f1saopaulo.com.br).
To enjoy San Pablo and the charming beaches of the Atlantic coast
Vila Madalena and Pinheiros
Bohemian neighborhoods par excellence, with their colorful streets, design shops and the largest range of bars per square meter in the city, from those with a sports theme such as the classic São Cristovão, the CoffeeLab and the samba bars on Aspilcueta Street where is eaten feijoada on Wednesdays and Saturdays located. Another good option in the city is Batman’s Beco (Batman’s Alley), one of the most visited places in Brazil. It was born as a space for murals and graffities in the 80s and became one of the most recommended walks, surrounded by bars where tourists appreciate craft beers, designer clothes, crafts and “samba rods”, the typical Brazilian rhythm sets. 400 meters from Vila Madalena, you will find the Pinheiros neighborhood, one of the main places of gastronomic fashion in Brazil, where you will find ethnic restaurants and also typically Brazilian foods, such as the classic “Consulado da Bahía” with the color and flavors of fish and seafood from Bahian food.
Itaim Bibi, Avenida Faria Lima and Jardim Europa
Avenida Faria Lima is the region where the great financial center of Brazil is located and where the main Latin American technology companies and banks have their headquarters. It has a large gastronomic and bar hub where Vaca Véia and Bar do Juarez stand out. When it comes to clubs, Santo Cupido is a pole of attraction. In Itaim Bibi there are two of the shopping malls most exclusive in the city, the Iguatemí and the impressive JK Shopping, located on Juscelino Kubitschek Avenue, on one of the banks of the Pinheiros River, with a good view of the hills of the Morumbí neighborhood.
Parque do Povo is one of its green lungs, where you can take walks and runningbicycle rental and free use of soccer fields where you can mingle with Brazilians.
For racing car lovers, it is a walk to visit Europa Avenue – where the Museum of Sculpture (MUBE) and the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS) are located -, where the dealerships of the main automobile brands are concentrated. luxury, such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, Rolls Royce, McLaren, among others. The dealerships have the structure to receive tourists and curious people, especially on weekends, and some release cars for a test-drive through Jardim Europa, the neighborhood of mansions where former São Paulo driver Emerson Fittipaldi, two-time F1 world champion in 1972, lives. and 1974.
Avenida Paulista
By itself, Paulista Avenue expresses much of the essence of the capital of São Paulo, both in culture, gastronomy and commerce. In its almost three kilometers of extension, the famous São Paulo Art Museum (MASP), the Fiesp – Ruth Cardoso Cultural Center, the Moreira Salles Institute, the Itaú Cultural and the Casa das Rosas. The opportunity is perfect to walk leisurely and enjoy the local cafes, restaurants and bars. Nearby are the sophisticated Rua Augusta and Oscar Freire. On Sundays, Paulista becomes a large pedestrian street for all urban tribes. Another recommendation for F1 lovers is to visit the giant mural in tribute to the three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, who died in 1994, was born in the city and whose remains rest in the Morumbí Cemetery, which can be visited. The Senna mural is located on the corner of Avenida de Consolacão and Avenida Paulista.
Ibirapuera Park
The great park of the capital of São Paulo is what the beach is to Rio de Janeiro: a photograph of the soul of the city. Considered one of the main urban parks in the world, it has a lake, native fauna, walking and running circuits, bicycle and cart rentals where you can buy coconut water for three dollars per half liter or drink a cream of açaí for six dollars. It also has one of the most impressive views of the city for taking photographs and is the headquarters of the prestigious São Paulo Art Biennial. The park was intervened by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, who placed his art of concrete and glass curves in the middle of the property so that the buildings can house icons of Brazil, such as the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo (MAM-SP), Afro Brazil Museum, Bienal Foundation, the Ibirapuera Auditorium and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Whether it’s a new exhibition, a new concert, a theater performance or even a sunset, Ibirapuera always has a place on the agenda of those who visit the city.
Football Museum and stadiums
The Football Museum is a must-see as a space for all audiences, attractive for its interactive and contemporary concept. More than a tribute, the Football Museum tells the history of Brazil through sport. Admission is $4.70 with a 50% discount for children and students. http://museudofutebol.org.br/.
It is located in the Pacaembú neighborhood, one of the city’s classics, a few minutes from Paulista Avenue. It is a hilly region. The museum is part of the legendary Paulo César de Carvalho municipal stadium, Pacaembú, one of the venues for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Other options to learn about aspects of Brazilian sport and culture are the São Paulo Futebol Clube (SPFC) stadiums, in the Morumbí neighborhood, called “Morumbis”; the one in Palmeiras (Allianz Parque), in the Pompéia neighborhood, and the Neoquimica Arena, by Corinthians, in the Itaquera neighborhood. Senna was a fan of Corinthians, whose stadium was built for the 2014 World Cup; It was in that stadium that Argentina played against Switzerland in the round of 16 and in the semifinal against the Netherlands.
Beaches near the city of San Pablo: Santos, Iporanga, São Pedro, Itaguaré and Camburí
Gonzaga, Santos
The central and best-equipped beach in the center of Santos is a quick option to go by car, van or bus from the Jabaquara bus terminal station of the San Pablo Metro. The price of the ticket is $15 round trip. Santos is located 78 kilometers from the capital and there it is possible to visit the old Coffee Exchange, converted into a museum, the ‘bondinho’ (a tram that runs through the old part of the city), the Santos stadium and the Pelé Museum. Tasca do Porto, a Portuguese restaurant with Brazilian touches, is one of the main recommendations in this city that is home to the largest port in Latin America. In the Ponta da Praia neighborhood, there are nautical tours with boat rentals and a ferry that crosses to Guarujá, an island that can also be reached by car from São Paulo.
Iporanga, Guarujá
Best kept secret of the Guarujá circuit, Iporanga is incredibly beautiful and clean. It is characterized by a waterfall that flows into the sand, creating the perfect environment to relax and enjoy. Being located within a condominium, car entry is limited, so you have to arrive early to ensure a spot facing the sea, which usually has rough waves.
São Pedro, Guarujá
Located within a gated community, São Pedro Beach in Guarujá is totally charming. It also requires arriving early, since there is a control with a limited number of people in place, nothing that the beauty of the beach and its crystal clear waters cannot compensate. It is not surprising that surfers choose the place to enjoy the rough sea without worries. It is located 111 km from Interlagos.
Itaguaré, Bertioga
Neighboring the exclusive Riviera de São Lourenço, Praia de Itaguaré is less known, which makes it more preserved. Its crystal clear waters are ideal for those who want to surf or simply admire the landscape. In addition, a river flows into the sand forming incredible natural pools. To get there, you have to enter in the direction of the Riviera de São Lourenço, walk to the end of the beach, and at the last street take a five-minute path to Itaguaré.
Camburí, São Sebastião
Camburí beach is one of the favorite options of those who visit São Sebastião and is only 158 km from São Paulo, along a route that combines a highway and a very good route. The sea with crystal clear waters and good waves, together with the strong presence of the Atlantic Forest vegetation, creates a landscape that leaves visitors breathless.
