São Paulo

The state

Home to more than a fifth of Brazil's population and around a third of its economy, São Paulo state is defined by its capital, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and the country's centre for finance, trade fairs, gastronomy and the arts. Waves of Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Lebanese and other immigrants shaped a cosmopolitan culture that shows in the city's restaurants and neighbourhoods. Beyond the capital, the Serra do Mar keeps some of the largest continuous stretches of Atlantic Forest, the northern coast offers the islands and beaches of Ilhabela and Ubatuba, Santos preserves the heritage of the coffee trade, and the Serra da Mantiqueira hosts the alpine-style resort of Campos do Jordão.

For agencies the state is first a MICE and business destination, with dense hotel inventory, major convention venues and the country's busiest air hub. It also works as a gateway for FIT and small groups adding gastronomy, art and architecture, coffee history or nature extensions. Traffic in Greater São Paulo is a real constraint and transfer times should be padded; Ilhabela is roughly three to four hours by road and ferry, Campos do Jordão around three. Coastal areas peak in December to February, while the mountains are busiest in the July winter season.