Montevideo vs São Paulo

Montevideo

Montevideo has a humid subtropical climate moderated by the Rio de la Plata. Summers are warm but not extreme, and winters are cool and damp. The wind off the river can make it feel cooler than the temperature suggests.

São Paulo

Sao Paulo sits at about 760m elevation, giving it a milder subtropical climate than coastal Brazil. Summers are warm and wet with frequent afternoon downpours. Winters are dry and cool. The city can experience dramatic temperature swings within a single day.

Montevideo

Montevideo relies primarily on buses (no metro system). The STM card is used for all public transit. The city is also very walkable in its central neighborhoods. Uber operates widely and is affordable.

Walkability: The central areas — Ciudad Vieja, Centro, Cordon, and Pocitos — are very walkable. The Rambla promenade is one of the world's great urban walks. The city is flat, making it easy on the feet. Summer heat is the only real obstacle.

São Paulo

Sao Paulo has a growing Metro system supplemented by an extensive bus network. Traffic is notoriously bad — the city regularly records traffic jams exceeding 200 km in length during rush hour. The Bilhete Unico transit card works across Metro, trains, and buses.

Walkability: Sao Paulo is walkable within individual neighborhoods — Jardins, Vila Madalena, and Avenida Paulista are excellent on foot. However, the city is enormous and spread out, so you'll need transit between districts. Sunday closures of Avenida Paulista create the best pedestrian experience.