Hope you South America fans can help me out. I'll be traveling soon to Sao Paulo from the US (US citizen, female), and well, have never been outside the US/Mexico before and never by myself. I have a passport and understand the rules for obtaining a business visa. Any tips or advice for me? Simple things such as exchanging currency if US $ can not be used, taxi's, tips, customs, airport info, carry-on luggage issues, converter/adapter needed? (recommendations if it is needed?), and anything else would be appreciated as this will all be new to me. Flights will most likely be on AA and I'll be Plat at that time. Thanks in advance.

I assume you are traveling on business on a business visa, otherwise you must get a Brazil tourist visa ($100) - takes 4-7 days from Brazil Embassy in DC or local consulate. You can get money from an ATM machine. There is also an American Express money exchange on the second floor in GRU - above UA checkin area.

Be advised most people do not speak English. I suggest you type up the name and address of your hotel so you can show a cab driver. (Cab drivers do not speak English). I would recommend a good secure hotel. At most hotels only a few employees speak English.

I would not use a credit card except at hotels. Many report their credit card number being used by others later.

The visa to Brazil can be a hassle. GRU isn't too bad of an airport, but the walk from the plane to customs always seems like it's about a mile long. Coming back a few days ago, the line for international departure screening seemed like it was a kilometer long. (Maybe only 300 meters, though.)

The ATM's I saw all wanted to charge $R8 for withdrawals.

I stuck to using one credit card for all purchases, and have had no problems. Used it almost everywhere from the supermarket, to small restaurants, to big hotels. If I'm ever really leery, I'll take a card with no balance, and use it exclusively. Easier to track criminal charges.

IMO this comment is highly exagerated and hardly helpful to people seeking balanced information. You can use credit cards all over Brazil, in hotels, restaurants and most shops. I have lived here for more than 20 years and the only time I had fraud on my credit card was on a business trip to Los Angeles.....Credit card fraud exists all over the world and is certainly not worse in Brazil than in many other places. It is much more dangerous to walk around with a lot of cash.

São Paulo is a very large city, so have that in mind when moving around. Real slow traffic on rush hours, and if it rains it gets worse, so if at all possible plan on staying close to where you'll be working at. Also have that in mind when going out by yourself, i.e., no flashy jewelry or big camera.

I too think the credit card comment is highly exagerated. It happens here as it would happen pretty much anywhere else. Also exagerated is the comment that few employees will speak English on the hotel. Unless you're in a really crappy place most employees will speak English. Not a perfect English most times, but good enough to get by.

Arriving at GRU, unless you have someone picking you up, go straight out and look for a blue and white taxi called Guarucoop. It will be right outside the arrivals area. They take credit cards and will take you to your hotel for about R$100.

Tipping is usually 10% of your check on restaurants and bars, apart from some places that for some reason are now charging 12.5%. It usually comes on the check already, so there is no need to leave extra on the table as in US.

São Paulo has some great restaurants and museums, if you have time for that. Let me know if you need a few indications.