Where to Stay in São Paulo: Best Areas & Budget Hotels
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Not only is São Paulo the biggest city in Brazil, but it’s actually the biggest in the Americas, population-wise. So, as you can probably imagine, there are of course, a million different accommodation options.
When I was trying to figure out where to stay in São Paulo during my three-week solo trip to Brazil, I was definitely overwhelmed — luckily, after my few days there, I was able to figure out the best neighborhoods, the sightseeing you’ll want to be near, and all the things you’ll want to think about when booking accommodation here.
Although the hostel I ended up choosing unfortunately closed (RIP Selina’s Brazil locations), I’ve rounded up a bunch of other great options for you, based on research and reviews — all are places I would consider staying in myself!
All of these choices are organized by neighborhood — each of which are considered relatively safe, walkable, and with plenty of nearby food options and things to do: Vila Madalena (where I stayed!), Pinheiros, Bela Vista, Jardim Paulista, and Paraiso.
As a lifelong budget traveler, every option here is within my idea of affordability, which is $150 a night or lower.
My Top 3 Choices
✨ Upgrade your stay! Laghetto Stilo São Paulo, a boutique hotel in São Paulo is full of charm without breaking the bank — secure your spot now!
💰 Traveling on a budget? Ô De Casa Hostel offers comfort, safety, and affordability — grab your bed before it’s gone!
🏠 Feel at home in São Paulo! Maravilhoso Apartment provides lots of comfort and convenience — book your perfect stay!
Where to Stay in Vila Madalena
Stay here for: an artsy, bohemian atmosphere, lots of restaurants and bars nearby, more budget accommodations and a party atmosphere. This is where I stayed, and I felt super safe wandering around, and I was able to walk to a number of places.
Nearby Sightseeing: Although I loved lots of things about Sao Paulo, but if you can only do one thing here, it better be checking out the street art! And so much of it is concentrated in Vila Madalena, especially in Beco do Batman, an area that’s pretty much decked out in murals. The Instituto Tomie Ohtake is a really cool museum that’s also here.
$ – Ô DE CASA HOSTEL
This hostel is a great option for travelers on a budget. At this point in my life, it’s hard to see myself staying in a dorm room, but if I were traveling solo, I may make an exception for this spot. Not only are dorms super affordable, but there are a number of different options like a women-only room (a must for me), and there are also private rooms if you can swing more than $50 USD a night.
I personally love staying in private rooms in hostels — you get the best of both worlds — a social atmosphere and affordable prices, plus the privacy and (hopefully) quiet of a private room.
Ratings are high, especially when it comes to staff and the location, and there’s a 24-hour front desk, a bar and restaurant, and two swimming pools.
🍹 Love the idea of a hostel bar, 24/7 front desk, and TWO pools? Book Ô de Casa for the social stay of your dreams.
$$ – NOON VILA MADALENA
This highly-rated property comes with amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a garden, and you get your own private apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom.
There’s also a restaurant onsite, with a number of other options within walking distance. I would feel really confident booking this spot since ratings are so enthusiastic across the board. The value all around seems great for such moderate pricing.
🧘♀️ Want your own apartment with a kitchen, pool, and garden? Noon Vila Madalena is low-key luxury at a mid-range price.
$$$ – XTAY VILA MADALENA
Sometimes you just need your own space, whether you’re looking to cook, or you just don’t want to be bothered by other guests. This studio apartment looks like a great choice in the Vila Madalena neighborhood. Apartments are clean and modern, and have fully-equipped kitchens, A/C, and a terrace. Plus, there’s an outdoor pool! Past visitors say the apartment is very clean and the location is great.
The one thing to keep in mind is that there’s a facial recognition system to get inside the building, and some past visitors had an issue with this. However, there’s a doorman onsite 24/7 who can help you, and by signing up for the online system ahead of time should make things easier as well.
☀️ Rooftop pool, private kitchen, and a peaceful terrace—Xtay Vila Madalena is the modern solo retreat you didn’t know you needed.
Where to Stay in Bela Vista
Stay here for: Avenida Paulista, the major street in Sao Paulo filled with sightseeing, restaurants, stores, and more, is within walking distance. It’s likely you’ll be spending most of you time in Sao Paulo around Avenida Paulista, so this neighborhood makes things super convenient. It’s a predominantly Italian neighborhood, so expect lots of delicious Italian restaurants nearby, as well as nightlife, and all around more local vibe.
Nearby Sightseeing: Sao Paulo is one of the best cities in Brazil for museums and cultural institutions, and you have a bunch of highlights easily accessible from here. You have the Museum of Art of São Paulo and the Japan House, plus SESC Avenida Paulista, a cultural center with an amazing view of the city.
$ STUDIOS MOOD MARTINIANO
I definitely found that it was more than possible to have an amazing time in Brazil while sticking to a budget, and this studio is a perfect example. But being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anything here — ratings are high across the board, especially for its WiFi, cleanliness, and comfort. The facilities are also very modern, making this spot a steal for the price!
💸 Modern studios with top-tier comfort for a budget price? Studios Mood Martiniano is the upgrade budget travelers dream of.
$$ – HOTEL AMÁLIA
I’ll be honest, when I’m booking hotels, I pretty much 100% base my decisions off of reviews, and an 8.6 ranking on Booking.com with 3,752 reviews at the time of writing is definitely impressive in my book. Past visitors especially loving the staff, cleanliness, and overall comfort. Here you’ll get features like A/C and a 24-hour-front desk, which is a huge plus.
I also HATE when hostels/hotels advertise free breakfast and it turns out the breakfast is like … a piece of toast and coffee. Luckily, that’s not the case here, with plenty of past visitors pointing out how good the breakfast is.
🥐 Thousands of travelers can’t be wrong—Hotel Amália offers comfort, top-tier breakfast, and amazing value.
$$$ – TRANSAMERICA EXECUTIVE PAULISTA
Just one block away from Paulista Avenue, you can’t beat the location at this beautiful hotel. If you’re new to travel, I think this is one of the best choices. You’re right near the action, so you don’t have to deal with navigating yourself most places, and if you’re worn out at any point, you can literally just chill out at this hotel, which has everything from an onsite restaurant (breakfast is included, by the way!), to an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center.
🥂 Steps from Paulista Avenue with everything you need onsite? Transamerica Executive Paulista is luxe made easy.
Where to Stay in Pinheiros
Stay here for: If you’re looking for that perfect blend of cool and upscale, this neighborhood is it. You’ll find lots of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, and easy access to other main neighborhoods like Vila Madalena.
Nearby Sightseeing: Highlights include the must-visit Vila Madalena and Beco do Batman street art, the highly underrated art museum Instituto Tomie Ohtake, the Museum of Image and Sound, and the Museum of Football — which I’m sorry to admit that I skipped due to my 0 interest in sports, but I have heard is cool!
$ ZEN HOTEL BRASIL
If you’re looking for a quiet and calm space in the midst of a huge city, then this is a great affordable choice. Its ratings are super high, especially when it comes to the staff, cleanliness, and location. Private rooms with private bathrooms are available, as well as shared dorms.
🧘 Want a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city? Zen Hotel Brasil is your quiet, affordable retreat.
$$ HILTON GARDEN INN REBOUÇAS
If you love a good old international hotel chain, then this one is for you. This four-star Hilton hotel looks gorgeous, and would definitely be a top choice for me if I was looking for a spot with some more luxury. Of course, it has amazing ratings across the board, and it pulls out all the stops when it comes to amenities. Here, you can get your breakfast included (“extremely extensive and typically Brazilian,” per one past reviewer), an onsite restaurant, a fitness center, and air conditioning. Past guests also love the location!
🍽️ Trendy location, top-notch amenities, and glowing reviews? Hilton Garden Inn Rebouças delivers on every front.
$$$ MARAVILHOSO APTO
First of all, can we talk about the view? You get an amazing look at Sao Paulo’s skyline from throughout the building, which is enough for me to want to book this place asap!
This private apartment comes with a 24-hour front desk, an elevator, plus a fully-stocked kitchen and A/C. The property also has a garden, a rooftop pool, a laundry room, a fitness center (which past visitors especially love), and breakfast available for an additional charge.
The one thing that gives me pause is that the ratings for the Wifi are a bit lower. But as long as I wasn’t planning to work while here, I personally wouldn’t worry about it.
🌇 Skyline views, rooftop pool, and your own kitchen? Stay at Maravilhoso Apto for a luxe home-away-from-home.
Where to Stay in Jardim Paulista
Stay here for: This neighborhood is part of the overall Jardins region, and is perfect for anyone looking for an upscale, safe neighborhood. You also will have lots of sightseeing, restaurants, and shops, all within walking distance, especially on Rua Augusta, which is known for its shopping and connects Jardins to Downtown.
Nearby Sightseeing: Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera Park, a giant park that’s often compared to Central Park and has a number of museums within it (honestly I’d have to agree with this comparison) border this neighborhood.
$ LAMPARINA HOSTEL
Here, you can find a private room with a shared bathroom for under $50, or a dorm bed for an even lower rate. Breakfast is available for $3. This seems like an especially great choice for solo travelers, since many reviewers mention how kind the staff is and how social the atmosphere is, which I’ve found makes a huuuge difference in your overall experience as a solo traveler.
👯♀️ Traveling solo? Lamparina Hostel is where kind staff and good vibes meet a perfect price tag.
$$ THE LANDMARK RESIDENCE – OFICIAL
This is another hotel with an amazing location, and great all-around reviews. I love how rooms all have a private kitchenette, a private bathroom, and A/C. Reviewers say this hotel isn’t the most modern, with more old-fashioned furniture and styling, but this personally wouldn’t bother me, especially for a shorter stay. Plus, many past visitors say that the rooms are spacious. And if you’re like me, the most important thing is that breakfast is included!
🧺 Old-school charm, big rooms, and great value—The Landmark Residence is perfect for comfort-focused travelers.
$$$ RADISSON OSCAR FREIRE
This beautiful hotel also has features like a swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness center. Breakfast is included and there’s a restaurant onsite, with plenty of other restaurants and shops in walking distance.
🌸 Want upscale and serene? Radisson Oscar Freire is where São Paulo style meets five-star comfort.
Where to Stay in Paraíso
Stay here for: Part of the Vila Mariana district (where there’s lots of street art like Beco de Batman), Paraíso is another popular option for tourists, since it’s an upscale neighborhood with proximity to restaurants and sightseeing. Even if you don’t end up staying here, it’s a nice area for just walking around, and you’ll find lots of things to do around here as well.
Nearby Sightseeing: You have a ton of sightseeing close by, including Ibirapuera Park; Afro Brazilian Museum (this is on my list for next time!); Museum of Contemporary Art at the University of São Paulo, one of the city’s top museums; SESC Avenida Paulista
$ APÊ METRÔ PARAÍSO
If I was looking for a private space, this would definitely be another top contender. Apartments here include a kitchen and private bathroom, but I appreciate that there’s still a 24-hour front desk in case you need anything. There’s also an elevator here. The location is also perfect, with easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and sightseeing.
🏠 Private apartment with hotel support? Apê Metrô Paraíso gives you the best of both worlds.
$$ – TRYP BY WYNDHAM SÃO PAULO PAULISTA PARAÍSO
This four-star hotel has thousands of great ratings and features like an onsite restaurant serving Brazilian cuisine and a fitness center. Some room options include breakfast. Reviewers especially love the location, staff, and comfort.
🛌 Thousands of happy guests agree—Tryp Paraíso is the ideal mix of comfort, convenience, and class.
$$$ LAGHETTO STILO SÃO PAULO
This beautiful hotel is four stars and has amenities like a fitness center, A/C, and an onsite restaurant. Some room options include breakfast. Ratings are high across the board!
🌟 Need A/C, a gym, and a gorgeous onsite restaurant? Laghetto Stilo brings the boutique experience to Paraíso.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sao Paulo walkable?
São Paulo is a huge city, so you definitely won’t be able to walk everywhere, but yes, it has a lot of neighborhoods that are pedestrian-friendly, like Vila Madalena and Jardins, and walkable touristy areas like Avenida Paulista. On Sundays, this major road even closes to cars entirely.
When you can’t walk, Uber is really safe, reliable, and affordable in Brazil, so it’s always my first choice. There is also a large public transportation system (the second largest in South America, in fact), however, I do think it’s a bit confusing to navigate as a foreigner.
Is Sao Paulo safe?
Safety is a complicated issue in Brazil, and I go into it in more depth in this guide (which also has all the tips I always try to follow in Brazil to stay safe) but basically, if you’ve been to big cities before, I don’t think that you’ll be particularly surprised by anything in São Paulo. I personally felt safe the entire time I was there.
In general, the touristy neighborhoods are considered safe, but regardless of where you are, it’s best to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, don’t wear valuable jewelry or walk around with your phone in your hand, and if you carry a bag, make sure it’s kept securely closed.
And at night, especially if you’re a woman, I always recommend Ubering.
Which areas should a tourist avoid in São Paulo?
Sé, which is home to São Paulo’s historic center, as well as its surrounding neighborhoods, like Luz, Santa Efigênia, and Consolação, are areas where you’ll want to be more on guard. In general, it’s best to Uber to and from any sightseeing around here, like the Farol Santander, a cultural center/one of São Paulo’s best viewpoints, the historic Metropolitan Cathedral, and Pinacoteca de São Paulo, one of the city’s best museums.
Once you get farther away from the city, it’s also considered less safe. So especially if it’s your first visit, you haven’t spent much time here, and you’re not visiting friends/family who live here, I’d just stick to the main touristy spots and don’t try to get too off-the-beaten-path.
Sightseeing in Sao Paulo
Since you’ve decided to go to Sao Paulo, maybe you already have a rough idea of what there is to do here, but want to get a better picture of all the amazing sightseeing this city has. Or, maybe you just have a quick stop here or have to visit for some unrelated reason, and have no idea what to expect.
Either way, I’ve got you covered!
From the beautiful (and massive) Ibirapuera Park, to another one of my personal favorites, the Museum of Image and Sound, find all the best things to do in São Paulo in this guide.
If you’re looking for more of a specific itinerary — with lots of my best restaurant and bar recommendations too — check out this 2-day itinerary.
São Paulo is such a fun city with a ton to do — so I hope you’re able to make the most of it!
Happy travels!
