For travelers visiting São Paulo, Guarulhos is just a byword for the airport. The city is home to São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in South America. But this doesn’t do Guarulhos justice. With a population of nearly 1.4 million and 16th-century origins, this metropolis is a worthy destination in its own right. It’s also, despite any lingering industrial associations, remarkably green; the best things to do in Guarulhos include exploring the UNESCO-protected Cantareira State Park, strolling along the Tietê River, and visiting the Bosque Maia Park—not scanning your passport or waiting at the baggage conveyor belt.
Like neighboring São Paulo, Guarulhos has a warm, wet, and humid climate; its summer (December–February) is particularly steamy. For a more comfortable experience and to bypass high-season prices, visit in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. In spring, you can coincide your visit with lively Carnival celebrations (though expect inflated hotel prices). In April and October, you can attend the biannual GRU International Film Awards.
Guarulhos’ main hub is São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, located just east of the city center. Several bus services link the airport with destinations across Guarulhos, São Paulo, and the wider region. Linha 13 of the São Paulo Metrô runs between the airport and Engenheiro Goulart station. Guarulhos also has many municipal bus lines, while rideshare services tend to be plentiful and affordable.
Even if you’re just passing through Guarulhos en route to or from the airport, it’s worth making a quick stopover. One of the region’s top-rated restaurants—far from central São Paulo and on the edge of Guarulhos—is the Michelin-recognized Mocotó. Dedicated to the cuisine of northeastern Brazil’s wild Sertão region, it offers a dose of culinary sightseeing without leaving the city—just book in advance if you don’t want to wait in the always-present lines.
