Stephanie + Lucas

We are so thrilled that you’ve decided to embark on a journey to celebrate our wedding! Here is everything you need to know to get here smoothly and have a wonderful time.

Flights

📍 The international airport to fly into is GRU (Guarulhos International Airport). Another option is CGH (Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport), which is closer to the city center, but this airport will only service flights with connections.

✈️ If you are flying from New York, you will depart from either EWR or JFK. Non-stop service is available on American Airlines, Delta, LATAM, and United. Non-stop flights are typically overnight, with a flight time of ~9 hours. Flights with connections are also widely available.

💲 Flights from NYC typically range from $500-$800, with the best time to buy is ~4 months out. Points redemption is typically pretty solid for flights to Brazil as well.

📅 Arriving & Leaving. We strongly recommend arriving by Friday morning (leaving the US on Thursday, April 15th) to avoid delays. But we’d love to have you in Brazil 2-3 days before the wedding to explore the city and to enjoy some of our planned activities. Please see our “Things to do” Tab for ~inspiration~ to explore on your own. When to leave is up to you! But after the wedding on Saturday, there are no more planned events.

Visas

As of April 10, 2025, United States, Canadian, and Australian citizens require a visa to enter Brazil. You can apply for an eVisa at the official site: brazil.vfsevisa.com. You will be denied boarding if you don’t have an approved eVisa before your trip to Brazil.

We strongly recommend applying at least two months before your travel date. That means no later than the end of February 2027. The eVisa costs $80 USD and is all electronic delivery.

🌏 If you hold a passport from another country (ie, a French passport) and are traveling from the United States, you do not require a visa.

Need help? Reach out to Stephanie

Getting Around the City

🇺 Uber is the best and easiest way to get around São Paulo. It is reliable, widely available, and very affordable. A ride from the airport to the city center runs approximately $25 to $30 USD; within the city, it's typically $5-$15 USD per ride.

There are 4 Uber tiers available: UberX, Uber Bag, Comfort, and Black.

-> We strongly recommend not getting UberX and paying a few cents/dollars more to get a Comfort or Black

-> If you are traveling from the airport with a large group and multiple bags, use Uber Bag as cars in Brazil tend to be smaller.

🛡️ Rhino is another uber alternative, that offers armored car transportation. Works the same as uber, but with a bit extra security if you desire.

We do not recommend renting a car or driving yourself. São Paulo traffic is a sport unto itself, and navigating it without fluent Portuguese adds an unnecessary layer of difficulty.

🚝 The metro system is good; however, we recommend avoiding the metro system as it's a hassle for non-Portuguese speakers and not ideal to have your phone out all the time doing translations.

Language

Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish. They are entirely different languages.

English is spoken in hotels, tourist areas, and most restaurants in the neighborhoods we recommend. That said, learning a few basic phrases goes a long way and is always appreciated.

We recommend downloading Portuguese (Brazil) on Google Translate before you leave so you have it offline if needed. Here is how!

Cellphone Service

Check with your carrier before you leave to confirm whether your plan includes Brazil. If it does not, we recommend the Airalo eSIM app as an easy and affordable option ($10 for 7 days). Download and set it up before you leave home. You will need wifi or service to do so.

Money

The currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). 💳 Credit cards are widely accepted throughout São Paulo, particularly in the neighborhoods we recommend, so you do not need to carry cash in my opinion.

If you have an iPhone, the calculator app can instantly convert currencies. Here is how.

Weather and Packing

🌤️ April is one of the more pleasant months in São Paulo. Temperatures during the day sit around 26°C (79°F), with cooler evenings around 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F). It is post-rainy-season, so conditions are generally mild and comfortable. Pack layers for evenings and air-conditioned restaurants. A light jacket is enough.

🔌 Outlets and Voltage: Brazil uses Type N plugs with 127V. The voltage is the same as in the US, but the plug shape is different. We recommend this Universal Travel Adapter that works worldwide, so you can use it on future trips!

Safety

São Paulo is a world-class city that millions of people visit safely every year. Like any major metropolis, a few common-sense habits will serve you well, and I implore you to read this through. We want all our guests to feel comfortable and enjoy everything this amazing city has to offer!

📱Keep your phone in your pocket/purse while walking. Wait until you are inside a restaurant/shop to use your phone, text, or check your maps. If you are lost, pop into a shop, open your phone, and head back out.

💎Leave expensive watches and jewelry at your hotel when sightseeing. This includes all the diamond rings ;) If you are traveling straight from your hotel to our wedding by Uber, without walking on the street, it is safe to wear your jewelry.

🚕Use Uber instead of hailing street taxis. Verify the driver and license plate before you get in.

🤑General Tips: Don't flash cash or expensive items in public. Keep bags zipped and worn across your body, not hanging off one shoulder. Learn basic Portuguese phrases like "não, obrigado/a" (no, thank you) to politely decline unwanted interactions.

Millions of tourists visit São Paulo safely every year. These precautions will help ensure you have a wonderful, worry-free experience celebrating with us!