Shopping

Paulistas say that if you can't buy it in São Paulo, you can't buy it in Brazil. They're probably right. São Paulo has it all, from international fashion boutiques to little local crafts markets.

The city has a number of shopping areas worth exploring. Jardins is well known for its high-end fashion boutiques. The main shopping streets are Rua Augusta, the parallel Rua Haddock Lobo, and their cross streets: Rua Oscar Freire and Alameda Lorena. This area is packed with national and international brands, expensive clothing and jewelry, gourmet foods, and luxurious gift shops.

In Centro (downtown São Paulo), Rua 25 de Março is the place where Paulistas rich and poor browse the market stalls and small shops for inexpensive items such as belts, buttons, small toys, gadgets, towels, textiles, and socks. Keep an eye on your purse, though, as the streets are chaotic with vendors and stalls vying for space, and throngs of people making their way through.

For Oriental trinkets, there's no better place than São Paulo's Japanese neighborhood, Liberdade. On Sunday there's a large market with great food and a variety of market stalls selling everything from bonsai plants to porcelain Buddha statues.

Then there are the malls, which in São Paulo have been elevated to a whole other shopping experience: elegant, upscale, and refined. Sophisticated brands, boutiques, and fine dining can be found in a number of malls; the best-known ones are Shopping Morumbi (www.morumbishopping.com.br), Shopping Iguatemi (www.iguatemisaopaulo.com.br) and Shopping Patio Higienópolis (www.patiohigienopolis.com.br), located in upscale neighborhoods close to the city center.

And finally, there are the street markets, which are particularly popular on the weekends. With antiques, food, and flea markets, they provide a great excuse to get out, browse, haggle, and shop.

Hours -- Most stores are open from 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Malls are open from 10am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday.

Money -- Most stores will accept credit cards, though you can often get a discount if you pay cash. Traveler's checks are not normally accepted.

Brazilian Fashion

The Jardins neighborhood is the place to find excellent Brazilian labels, including Guaraná Brasil, Alameda Lorena 1599 (tel. 011/3061-0182); Maria Bonita, Rua Oscar Freire 705 (tel. 011/3063-3609); and Forum, Rua Oscar Freire 916 (tel. 011/3085-6269). For the latest beach styles check out Rosa Chá, Rua Oscar Freire 977 (tel. 011/3081-2793).

Galleries

Online Gallery Guide -- For information on the city's galleries pick up a copy of the Mapa das Artes São Paulo at the tourist office or check www.mapadasartes.com.br.