Shopping in Sao Paulo

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 certainly seems to have it all, from international fashion boutiques to little local crafts markets.

The city has a number of shopping areas, all unique and interesting to explore. Jardins is well known for its high-end fashion boutiques. The main shopping streets in this neighborhood 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 make their way through.

For Oriental trinkets, there's no better place to shop than São Paulo's own Japanese neighborhood, Liberdade. On Sundays the neighborhood holds a large market with great food and a variety of market stalls selling all kinds of ware, 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, Shopping Iguatemi, and Shopping Patio Higienópolis, located in upscale neighborhoods close to the city center.

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

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

Money -- Most stores will accept one or more types of credit cards. Keep in mind that you can often obtain a discount if you pay with cash. Traveler's checks are normally not accepted.

It's Like Spring in Paris

If you missed the season in Europe, you may still be able to find your favorite designs here, as the collection is a few months behind thanks to the reversed Southern Hemisphere seasons. For "designer central," visit the chic Jardins neighborhood. Here you'll find Hugo Boss, Rua Haddock Lobo 1626 (tel. 011/3081-8833); Emporio Armani, Rua Haddock Lobo 1550 (tel. 011/3062-2660); Christian Dior, Rua Haddock Lobo 1589 (tel. 011/3082-3059); Versace, Rua Bela Cintra 2209 (tel. 011/3088-8602); and VR, Rua Oscar Freire 725 (tel. 011/3083-7888).