Brazil - GRU for kids?

In October I may be traveling to GRU using the TK mistake fare. Considering flying my sons (10 and 13) down. Is there anything in Sao Paulo that you would say is good for kids? They've been to Thailand and had a great time. I've never been to South America so any advice is of value.

Please follow this in the Brazil forum.

l'etoile
sr. moderator

In October I may be traveling to GRU using the TK mistake fare. Considering flying my sons (10 and 13) down. Is there anything in Sao Paulo that you would say is good for kids? They've been to Thailand and had a great time. I've never been to South America so any advice is of value.



You did not say how long (hours or days) you planned to be in Sao Paulo.

Knowing your time schedule would influence any recommendations I can furnish to you.
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You did not say how long (hours or days) you planned to be in Sao Paulo.

Knowing your time schedule would influence any recommendations I can furnish to you.
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Currently there is no schedule at the moment. I have a one way ticket into GRU in October and a hotel room for a few days. Let's assume a week.

Disclaimer I don't have kids so am not best qualified to advise but: Sao Paulo, being a business/commercial centre is not an obvious tourist destination for children although there is a lot of fun available for adults. There are various parks, museums and a funfair near the Sambodromo. However, budget permitting, as they enjoyed Thailand, you would have time to go to Iguacu (for the Cataratas and wildlife), or Rio for the beach + beauty, or indeeed Manaus for the rain forest. There are also some cute colonial towns suitable for day trips from SP.

Currently there is no schedule at the moment. I have a one way ticket into GRU in October and a hotel room for a few days. Let's assume a week.



You might want to take a look at what I posted in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brazil/1210712-general-safety-sao-paulo-day-trip-ideas.html

There is not a lot of activities in Sao Paulo that would entertain most kids.

If you were willing to venture out of Sao Paulo, the kids would have a better time.
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You might enjoy the Teatro Municipal, which normally has concerts, and classical shows. Also the Sao Paulo Art Museum, or MASP id worth a tour.

You can also enjoy (and buy) food items, and restaurants at the Mercado Central.

Any hotel would have copies available of the Sao Paulo City guide.

It is currently cold and wet in SAMPA, but in October it will be Summer, hot and humid. Be prepared for European prices with the current JP4 economy. Dinner out for 4 persons is around 300 Euros or $ 400. USD. It compares now equally to Geneve or Zurich prices.

ypu
just returned from GRU mate. 1hr parking 20usd. Pizza for 2(large) $40. Fogo de Chao churascia $70USD, its $35USD here in Washington( exactly the same meats and restaurant), heck even metro was $3.50USD whereas New York Metro is $2.25 flat.
Extremely expensive, I'd even say more expensive than Zurich

Thanks god the lounge where I was at fed me for the whole 4 days I was there. Otherwise excellent time though : )

For kids there is the Hopi Hari theme park - don't expect Disneyland but fun nevertheless http://www.hopihari.com.br/home/Default.aspx

and the almost next door water park http://www.wetnwild.com.br/

They are located a bit out of the city and I wouldn't take kids to Sao Paulo just to experience these two places but if they are going and you're looking for something to do.......

I don´t know how you would change it, but your subject line should read Sao Paulo, not GRU. While GRU is the code for the main international airport serving Sao Paulo, it is in a separate city (Guarulhos). I am not trying to be picky or critical, just helpful. From your subject line I really thought you were asking about activities for kids during a long airport layover. There are, as noted, plenty of museums in SP. There is also at least one large amusement park in the area, but I don´t know how close to the city of SP it is. It is not likely inexpensive. Keep in mind that Brazil is not inexpensive, especially with the weakened dollar, so going out to eat, to movies, etc. will add up quickly in cost.

What did your kids like about Thailand? What do they like in general?