Top São Paulo organized tours

SP Free Walking Tour

Walking tour, Praça da República or Avenida Paulista/Rua Augusta (spfreewalkingtour.com). Wed, Sat 11.30am. Thu, Sun 3:30pm. Prices Free.

Join one of the free guided walking tours in English at the location of your choice – Avenida Paulista, or the historic city centre. The extensive tours last about four hours, so bring your walking shoes.

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Carona Cultural

Personal guide, 9867 4409/3088 0269, facebook.com/CaronaCultural

Andrea Bauab takes small groups to visit exhibitions and cultural hotspots, as well as trips outside the city. For those travelling alone, Carona Cultural is a great way to experience the city's cultural life by night too, with trips to the theatre and concerts. Andrea varies the schedule each month, but you can also suggest itineraries, provided there are enough people interested. Prices vary but include entry to the event, plus door to door transport.

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Flavia Liz Di Paolo

Personal guide, 98119 3903, flavializ.com

Unlike conventional guides, Flavia Liz Di Paolo – a specialist in São Paulo’s history – presents the city à la carte, tailoring tours to the customer’s taste. Relaxed and hospitable, she’s been known to prepare surprises for visitors. Tours last for at least four hours. Prices from R$150 per hour.

Rent a Local Friend

Personal guide, 98020 3344, rentalocalfriend.com

A mixture of a tourist guide and an informed buddy, the Local Friend service is a great option if you don’t know anybody in town. They pride themselves on selecting the very best of the city. Tours can be scheduled for any time of day. Prices R$180 (4 hours)-$280 (8 hours).
 

U-Bike

Bike tour, Hotel Unique, Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio 4700, Jardim Paulista, 3317 4427, u-bike.com.br

Combining sustainable transport with tourism, the U(rban)-Bike Project offers four cycling tour options: Vila Madalena, Pacaembú, Parks and Museums, and Historical Downtown. Available in English, Portuguese or Spanish, the price of the tour includes the loan of a bicycle, helmet, and a coffee break. Groups meet at the Hotel Unique. Prices R$50-$100.

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Caminhada Literaria

Walking tour, Pátio do Colégio, Centro (3042 4513). Last Friday of the month, 9am. Prices Free.

Visitors with good Portuguese will enjoy the Caminhada Literária ('literary walk'), learning about the lives of Brazilian authors, and visiting the places they lived and worked. Meet at the monument in the Pátio.

Sampapé

Walking tour, location varies, check site for agenda and e-mail to book (sampape.com.br). Prices R$15

Using crowdsourcing to pick which neighborhoods to explore, you'll have to check their site to see where each month's location and date will be.

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