VISA INFORMATION
Brazil applies visa policies by reciprocity, according to the visitor's nationality. To check whether you need a visa to Brazil, please visit.
If a visa is required for you to enter Brazil, you need to start the visa application process as soon as possible. You should verify the documentation requested for visa application in the Brazilian Consulate General of your country. Please contact the Organizing Committee if you require an invitation letter for your visa application.
CURRENCY INFORMATION
The Brazilian currency is named Reais (R$ or BRL). The use of actual money is becoming less often in Brazil, while credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
AIRPORT
São Paulo holds one of the largest airport in South America, with direct flights to/from all parts of the world. https://www.gru.com.br/en/institutional/sobre-gru-airport/history
ARRIVAL
Getting to/from the airport to the city can be done by Uber, taxi, bus and train.
- Cheapest (more connections): Alternatively, you can take an airport transfer/shuttle that will take you to the airport CPTM train station (https://www.gru.com.br/en/passenger/to-from-gru-airport/train/). From the train station you can access São Paulo underground and reach inner places in the city. The airport station gives access to the "Jade" (light green) line 13 of CPTM trains. It takes around 30 min for the train to reach the main subway infrastructure (to the "Safire" line 12 and then the red line 3). From there, you can reach the Yellow line to head to stations Pinheiros (Hotels), Faria Lima (Hotels) or Butantã (University). This is very cheap, 5.70BRL, with a single ticket bought at the airport station. However, due to the few connections in the subway, it can take up to 2 hours. Full map: https://www.metro.sp.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mapaderede.pdf
- Intermediate cost-speed: There is bus service connection the airport to the city, called Airport Bus Service (https://www.airportbusservice.com.br/). For about 50BRL you can reach Paulista Avenue area, which is close to hotel area and the university (take uber, taxi, regular bus or subway from there).
Surroundings of the University and Accommodation Possibilities
The University is located on the west side of São Paulo city, approximately 8km from the city centre, with easy access via public transport (subway/bus). It is in a large green area embedded in the huge city of São Paulo.
There are Hotels and Flats in the surroundings of the University (within walking distance), but the region of Pinheiros, Vila Madalena, Paulista and the surroundings are more recommended for accommodations since they are within lively areas with restaurants and shops.
We are suggesting the following Hotel as reference for the conference:
Alternatives in Pinheiros area (lively area with restaurants and easy access to university by bus/subway/uber):
Alternative in Paulista area (A very lively business and touristic area in São Paulo):
- (Best - Paulista Area) WZ Hotel Jardins (https://wzhoteljardins.com.br/) Around 900BRL, walking distance to Paulista Avenue., but with easy bus access to the university.
Alternative near the University (walking distance):
- (Very cheap and close by) Hotel Transamerica Fit Villa Lobos (https://www.letsatlantica.com.br/hotel/transamerica-fit-villa-lobos). This hotel is situated by the University in an industrial area, so there are no good restaurants nearby and the (short) route to walk to the university is not very nice and isolated, so less safe. We only recommend this option if you really want to stay at walking distance to the university, but we recommend not walking at night to/from the hotel (take a quick and cheap uber).
Accessing the University
São Paulo is well-connected by its Underground Metro and Bus services. The university campus can be reached by the following paths:
- (Fastest but more expensive) Take an Uber (or Taxi) to the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of USP. Should be around 20-30BRL (30-40 for Taxi).
- (Cheap and fast). Bus "Cidade Universitária"- goes from Pinheiros to the University every 20 min and circles the University Campus, passing by the Maths institute. Enter the bus in the front and pay to a person in the "middle" of the bus (not the driver). A fare is 5BRL.
- Take the Bus from Av. Cardeal Arcoverde (near Golden Tower Hotel): 177H or 701U (Cidade Universitária).
- Take the bus from Av. Rebouças (near Hilton) 7411 or 702U-10 (Cidade Universitária)
- (Cheap but more connections). Take the Metro/Subway. The nearest station to the University is Estação Butantã (Line 4 - Yellow), located at ~3.2 km from IME-USP building. There is a bus service to/from the Metro that circles around the University, or you can take a walk from the Metro to the Institute (it a nice green walk passing through Instituto Butantan - https://butantan.gov.br/). Metro map: https://www.metro.sp.gov.br/en/your-trip/index.aspx
- (Free, but not recommended): You can walk from Pinheiros to USP, but along the way there are places with low circulation of people, thus not very safe.
More information at : https://www.procon.sp.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/consumidorturistainglesjulho-brasao-2022.pdf
Safety recommendations
São Paulo is a safe city, but as most large cities, has pickpockets and areas that should be avoided. Overall, the University Campus is very safe. Pinheiros and Paulista areas are very touristic and usually safe in places with a large circulation of people (but do not be holding your cell phone too loosely). The main recommendation is to avoid walking in more isolated places, specially during the night. The neighbourhood of Pinheiros is very lively at day and night, with many restaurants, pubs/bars, as well as many shops. Paulista area is very lively during the day, as it is a commercial area, but at night some places are less busy. Our river is unfortunately not clean, so the areas around the river, including the bridges, are not populated and tend to be deserted, so should be avoided (crossing bridges walking is not usually recommended).
The more historical downtown city center may be worth a visit, but as happened to many large cities around the world, it is nowadays more populated with homeless people. It is very lively during the days, in weekdays, and of easy access by Metro.
