With its dynamic capital, considered as being one of the world's largest metropolises, São Paulo has become known mostly as a good place to do business. But it is much more than an economic center. Washed by the waters of the Atlantic, the state's 622 km coastline is punctuated by beaches of the most varied type and size. Taking the city of Guarujá as a reference point, the beaches of the northern coastal region are scattered around towns such as Bertioga, São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba, and on islands such as Ilha Bela, a paradise for wind-surfers and sailors. In the southern coastal region, around cities such as Iguape and Cananéia some of the world's most important natural areas are preserved, for example, the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station and the Island of Cardoso in the Lagamar - the Lakeland Estuary Complex of Iguape, Cananéia, Antonina and Paranaguá.

Separating São Paulo's coastal strip from the plateau, the escarpment of the Serra do Mar in the midst of the Atlantic Forest was a major obstacle to be overcome in previous centuries. Nowadays this gateway to the interior of the state is the focus of attention of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve and other organizations that are seeking to conserve this ecosystem that is reduced to 5% of its original area in Brazil.

In the state of São Paulo, leisure is as varied as job opportunities, especially in the capital where there are many options to suit all tastes and budgets. There are a number of options ranging from exhibitions and open-air shows to museums with theatres putting on highly sophisticated performances. And as paulistas also have the right to enjoy life, their capital city has a range of restaurants running from the simple and delicious to establishments that equal the sophistication of the best anywhere in the world.

Immigrants came from all over the world to solve the labour problem and nowadays it is estimated to be the third largest Italian city in the world, the largest Japanese city outside Japan, the third largest Lebanese city outside Lebanon, the largest Portuguese city outside Portugal and the largest Spanish city outside Spain.
There is striking evidence of this multi-culturalism in the city with its lively and contemporary excitement. The various districts where a specific culture predominates offer us the opportunity to live side by side with the most varied habits and customs. But it is in gastronomy, culture and in the night life, for the delight and feasting of those who seek it out, that the city holds its great fascination.