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

To extend the holiday: an Italian festival in the interior of São Paulo transforms the streets into an authentic European village with cuisine prepared by local residents

Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, known for having the longest name among São Paulo’s cities, is already preparing for the 34th edition of the Italian Traditions Festival. From July 8 to 11, the winter festival...

With 150 competitors, a Tatuapé bar wins São Paulo’s Comida di Buteco with a smoked pulled pork snack and advances to the national round

Endive leaves stuffed with smoked pulled pork , house mayonnaise, red onion pickles, and guava chutney. These are the ingredients of the “Barquinhas de Endívia,” the winning snack of the 14th edition of Co...

Escapes Secret Guides

Brazil’s oldest settlement is located on an island in São Paulo: the destination boasts over 40,000 hectares of preserved land and 18th-century mansions

For those seeking destinations off the beaten path, it’s a good idea to discover what to do in Cananéia. Located on an island at the southern tip of São Paulo and accessible only by boat, the picturesque...

Culture Secret Guides

Luxury condominium in Vila Maria swallows up a century-old mansion that holds a legend about Dom Pedro I and memories of slavery

Many are unfamiliar with the Emperor’s House, a historic landmark in São Paulo’s North Zone. Located in Vila Maria, the century-old property is the only remnant of Sítio da Bela Vista, a former rural esta...

Music Top news

Mariah Carey announces a brand-new Christmas show in São Paulo, with tickets priced up to R$ 9,995

Get the Christmas trees out of the closet, because Christmas is closer than you think. One of pop culture’s biggest stars, Mariah Carey, has just confirmed that she’ll be bringing her traditional holiday...

Food & drink Secret Guides

The “largest bakery in Latin America” is located in São Paulo: a giant with a restaurant, pizzeria, and over 5,000 products

Residents of the East Zone have certainly heard of Cepam, the region’s favorite bakery. Located on a corner in Vila Prudente, this “padoca” stands out for its vast menu and impressive size, earning the ti...

Culture Secret Guides

Forró in SP: guide features parties with dance classes and free admission or tickets up to R$ 20 from Monday to Saturday

São João is coming, and with it, the perfect time to dance an arrasta-pé. But let’s be honest: true forró fans know you don’t have to wait for the festivals to enjoy a good baião. That’s why we’re bringi...

Secret Guides

São Paulo’s first luxury hotel survives demolition and remains on Rua Augusta: it has hosted Nelson Mandela and served as the seat of the federal government

What do Nelson Mandela, Jorge Amado, and Luciano Pavarotti have in common? They all stayed at the Hotel Ca'd'Oro, one of the most iconic names in São Paulo’s hotel industry. Located on Rua Augusta, it was...

Food & drink Things to do

The 2026 Festa de São Vito begins this month with tickets starting at R$ 10, authentic Italian recipes, and over 100 years of tradition

Winter in São Paulo is about to take on a special flavor with the 2026 Festa de São Vito! Starting May 30, this traditional celebration on the São Paulo calendar will bring the streets of Brás to life wi...

Food & drink Secret Guides

Forget about expensive nightly rates! Hotels in São Paulo where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet without paying for a room

Did you know that, instead of anxiously waiting for your vacation, you can enjoy a delicious hotel breakfast in São Paulo? That’s because more and more hotels in the city are opening their doors to the g...