Mariana Prates, autor em São Paulo Secreto

Journalist and writer from Minas Gerais, raised amid the hills and loves of Belo Horizonte. Now reporting from across the border, discovering hidden corners in the streets of São Paulo. To find me: mariana.prates@secretmedianetwork.com

The secret beneath São Paulo’s asphalt: a new station on Metro Line 6-Orange reveals the history of an old quilombo hidden in Bixiga

With the opening of the first section of Line 6-Orange, São Paulo residents are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the opening of the next stations. One of them is the 14 Bis-Saracura Station, which wil...

Escapes Secret Guides Wellness & nature

The “São Paulo Amazon” in the interior, which UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site, features an 8,000-meter-long cave, hiking trails, and a gigantic waterfall

About 250 kilometers from the capital of São Paulo lies Eldorado, the ideal destination to recharge your batteries and enjoy ecotourism in the state’s interior. This tourist resort, home to 13,000 reside...

Culture Secret Guides

Adjacent to the Pinacoteca, this park, established in 1799, is home to São Paulo’s first statue and one of the largest collections of outdoor sculptures right in the heart of downtown.

Have you heard of the Sculpture Garden? Located in Jardim da Luz Park, this large open-air art corridor features works by great Brazilian artists such as Victor Brecheret, Franz Weissmann, Amílcar de Cast...

Escapes Things to do

Escape the hustle and bustle of the capital: a cherry blossom festival in rural São Paulo celebrates Japanese culture with free concerts and traditional cuisine this holiday

The Garça Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the largest Japanese events in central-western São Paulo. In 2026, the event will take place on the July 9 holiday, making it an excellent option for residents...

Culture Secret Guides

Paulista Avenue launches a circuit of free exhibitions featuring works by Salvador Dalí and Picasso, along with a sensory immersion in Japanese culture

In addition to being a financial hub, Paulista is also one of São Paulo’s major cultural hubs. There are more than ten museums and cultural centers scattered throughout the area, many of them with free ad...

Escapes Things to do

With dishes starting at R$ 15, the winter festival in the Serra de São Pedro features grilled coxinha, fondue, and ossobuco so you can enjoy the cold weather in the countryside

During the month of July, the city of São Pedro will host the 5th edition of its traditional Winter Festival. Well known for its natural beauty and ecotourism, this municipality of 38,000 residents now f...

Secret Guides

Vacation in São Paulo! 14 must-do activities to enjoy the city during your time off

July is synonymous with vacation for many people. We at São Paulo Secreto have already shared tips for kids to enjoy their time off, but now it’s time to list the best activities for adults on vacation in...

“Isolated” for centuries, a historic neighborhood in São Paulo’s North Zone gets its first subway station, with 180 days of free rides

Freguesia do Ó, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of São Paulo, now has a subway station to call its own! With the opening of Line 6 (Orange), this historic neighborhood is now part of São Paul...

Culture Secret Guides

From an elite mansion to a tenement, a 1920s complex is transformed into a cultural center with an outdoor movie theater and free concerts in Bela Vista

Vila Itororó, in the Bela Vista neighborhood, is a faithful reflection of São Paulo’s constant transformation. The small village emerged in the 1920s as a complex of luxury residences, later became an urb...

Food & drink Things to do

Haute cuisine with the speed of a food court: a new restaurant on Paulista Avenue features dishes by former MasterChef contestants at affordable prices

Have you heard of Indie Food Lab? The new restaurant on Paulista Avenue features an innovative concept that blends the efficiency of food courts with haute cuisine dishes. The restaurant was created to m...