Sao Paulo attractions

Home to some 3,000 marine creatures and 170 different species—including penguins, fur seals, sharks, and stingrays—the beachside Acqua Mundo Aquarium offers an introduction to Brazil’s underwater wonders. Visit to observe fish and marine life in a variety of habitats.

Developed in the late 1970s as an off-price alternative to the sky-high rents along Avenida Paulista, Avenida Berrini (pronounced be-HEE-nee) houses a growing number of shopping and entertainment areas, including American-style malls Shopping Morumbi and Shopping Market Place, as well as the D&D Decoration and Design Center.

Set on 3 acres (1.2 hectares) of lush gardens in Campos do Jordão, Enchanted Forest Park is a fantasyland for young children, inspired by classic fairy-tales. Kids explore the gardens, step inside a giant doll-house, visit miniature houses belonging to well-known children's story characters, and let their imaginations run wild.

Set amid the lush greenery of the Atlantic Forest, the leisure complex of Magic City has attractions that range from daring water slides and amusement rides to palm-fringed swimming pools. Within day trip distance of Sao Paulo, Magic City is suitable for kids of all ages and has an on-site hotel.

Cidade da Criança (Children's City) amusement park is an ideal choice for visitors with active children. Located in the center of São Bernardo do Campo—in the metropolitan region of São Paulo—it was the first theme park to open in both Brazil and Latin America.

As the centrepiece of the Felicia Leirnar sculpture park, Claudio Santoro Auditorium serves as both an architectural landmark and a concert venue. Named after Manaus-born musician Claudio Franco de Sá Santoro, it’s the main stage of the Campos do Jordão International Festival, one of the largest classical music events in Latin America.

The lush and diverse Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica) stretches along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from the state of Rio Grande do Norte in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul and into Paraguay and Argentina. As one of the world's top global biodiversity hot spots, it’s a haven for nature enthusiasts in Brazil seeking an eco-adventure.

As the largest private butterfly park in Brazil, Borboletário Águias da Serra is home to thousands of butterflies that span 17 different species. The venue was designed to allow you to come into close contact with the butterflies, while also ensuring the protection of the winged insects.

Three hours driving from São Paulo, Thermas Water Park is one of Brazil’s most modern water parks and offers tons to do for kids and adults of any age. The main attraction is, of course, the pools and waterslides. The grounds are home to 11 pools, 10 waterslides and the adrenaline-pumping Free Fall slide, which drops over 30 feet (10 meters). A highlight is the warm pools, where heated swimming holes are set among an artificial white sand beach and several waterfalls and grottos. The children’s area features a massive shallow swimming pool, dotted with colorful animal decorations, toys and small waterslides. Beyond the aquatic attractions and wild slides of the park, Thermas also offers the pre-historic world, an exhibit of 30 massive dinosaur replicas, and smaller exhibits with replicas of marine life and insects. Visitors can also experience living animals at the Vô Bráulio Ranch, which is home to farm animals like horses, ostrich, rabbits and pheasants as well as some of Brazil’s tropical creatures like toucans, macaws and monkeys — many of which visitors are allowed to hold and touch.

The gateway through which immigrants historically entered São Paulo, the central Bom Retiro neighborhood today represents the city at its most eclectic. Originally home to Jewish and Arabic communities—and now boasting a vibrant Koreatown—the area is a great place for cultural (and culinary) discovery. It’s also home to several major museums, cultural venues, historic buildings, green spaces, and shopping streets.

One of the best places for outdoor recreation in all of São Paulo, Villa Lobos Park (Parque Villa Lobos)—located next to the Pinheiros River, west of the city center—combines areas of natural beauty, sporting facilities, and cultural programming. Named for Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, the green space has peaceful trails, a library, an amphitheater, and even an orchidarium.

With more than 55 attractions—which include gravity-defying water slides, a water rollercoaster, and a 180° surf pool—it’s easy to see why Thermas dos Laranjais is Brazil’s most-visited water park. The family-friendly park has something to entertain all ages and draws huge crowds year-round.

Set in a colonial farmhouse, Botucatu’s Coffee Museum showcases São Paulo state’s coffee trade from its 19th-century origins to its emergence as one of Brazil’s biggest exports. Exhibits include traditional machinery and original records, as well as various beans and brews, making this a must-see for any engineer or historian.

Bring your kids to Park do Gorilao to let off some steam at the complex that's part old-fashioned amusement park and part modern games complex. Located within the Novo Shopping Mall in Ribeirão Preto, the park has everything from roller coasters and arcade games to bowling lanes and a 7-D cinema.

The brainchild of founder Walter Miguel—who was inspired by his visit to Disney World Florida—Walter World is one of the largest theme parks in northern Brazil. With more than 20 rides and attractions, it’s a great choice for a family day out.