Sao Paulo is the largest and richest city in Brazil. Sao Paulo is where it really happens. The biggest city in South America (17 million and counting), this is the cultural capital of Brazil, home to Orchestra, Opera and Art, not to mention crowded, colourful streets packed with the posh and the poor. It’s a temple to Fashion, Film and Football and has a vibrant young scene that comes alive at night. 

Brazil is home to a very large and growing gay scene and is increasingly becoming known as a gay tourist destination. Gay and lesbian tourism in Brazil is on the increase and São Paulo is very much at the centre of this.

In provincial areas of Brazil there may be less tolerance to open gayness, while in certain areas of the larger cities, for example in the Jardims and Paulista areas of São Paulo, it is easy to find bars, clubs and restaurants that are run by and for gay men and women.

The largest Gay Pride parade in the world (Parada do Orgulho GLBT de São Paulo) is held in São Paulo on Avenida Paulista.