Why Choose Sao Paulo?

São Paulo is not a city that asks for attention, it commands it. Brazil’s biggest metropolis pulses with movement and ambition, from the hum of early-morning coffee stands to the echo of live samba spilling from late-night bars. It’s a city that never really pauses, yet somehow always finds time for connection.

Every corner of the city tells a story. Streets burst with murals that stretch for entire blocks, cafés serve the strongest espresso you’ll ever taste, and parks open up like green lungs amid the skyline. There’s beauty in the chaos, rhythm in the routine, and warmth in the people who call this sprawling city home. Whether you’re wandering through Liberdade’s lantern-lit streets or having your spirits lifted by laughter drift from a neighbourhood bar, you’re part of something bigger.

For you, São Paulo is a city that will feed your inspiration. Its energy pushes you to grow, adapt, and discover new sides of yourself. You’ll meet students who are curious and expressive, eager to share their culture while learning about yours.

Weekends offer endless choices, a visit to a street market, a concert in Ibirapuera Park, or a quick getaway to the coast. Life here moves quickly, but it’s rich, layered, and deeply human. São Paulo leaves an impression that stays long after you’ve left.

Location and Climate

Framed by forested hills and the distant shimmer of the Atlantic, São Paulo rises confidently on its plateau in southeastern Brazil. It sits about fifty miles from the coast, close enough for an easy beach trip yet far enough to enjoy cooler evenings. The city’s altitude keeps temperatures comfortable compared to the tropical shoreline, and though rain comes often, it rarely stays long.

São Paulo’s climate is classically Brazilian, with warm summers, mild winters, and a rhythm that shifts with the seasons rather than stops for them. From December to March, daytime temperatures reach around 28 to 30°C, and humid afternoons bring bursts of rain that wash the city clean before golden sunsets return. The air turns cooler between May and August, with crisp days of around 22 to 24°C and evenings dropping to 12 or 13°C.

The city itself is vast and varied, with neighbourhoods that feel like small towns within a single urban sprawl. Central areas are fast-paced and full of life, while quieter corners like Vila Madalena and Perdizes offer relaxed cafés and cultural charm. Travel is straightforward, with metro lines covering much of the city, and short flights connecting you to Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and the coast.

For teachers, São Paulo’s blend of opportunity and comfort is hard to match. You can spend your weekdays in a thriving, modern classroom, and weekends exploring art galleries and botanical gardens. The weather invites you outdoors year-round, and the city’s constant hum ensures there is always something to see, taste, and learn.

Is Sao Paulo Right for You?

If you thrive on energy and diversity, São Paulo has both in abundance. And it’s a city full of extreme contrasts, modern and historic, chaotic and creative, offering rewards to anyone adaptable and curious enough to call it home. Life here moves quickly, but with kindness. People greet you openly, conversation flows easily, so being friendly helps a lot.

This opportunity suits teachers who want to grow within an international setting while experiencing authentic Brazilian life. You’ll be working with students who are bright, engaged, and eager to connect with the wider world. Classrooms here are places of discussion and discovery, where teachers are encouraged to bring new ideas and perspectives.

Outside work, São Paulo gives you the balance to live fully. You can spend Saturday mornings browsing street markets, afternoons in the Park, or evenings enjoying live samba in the open air. While the city has some challenges, most teachers find that with awareness and community support, daily life becomes rewarding and deeply enriching. If you’re confident, open-minded, and ready to experience teaching on a truly global stage, São Paulo will meet your energy with its own.

5 Things to Do in Sao Paulo

Eat and Explore Japantown

Chill at beautiful Ibirapuera Park

Weekends at Municipal Market

Soak Up the Sao Paulo Stadium

Wander Around Vila Madalena

School Life

Few international schools in Brazil balance energy and excellence quite like our partner in São Paulo. It’s a community where experienced educators from around the world work side-by-side, sharing ideas and building a culture of curiosity. The atmosphere is dynamic but supportive, blending the best of international education with the warmth and openness that define Brazilian life.

At least two years of classroom experience and a PGCE or equivalent are required, IB experience is welcomed but not essential. What matters most is adaptability, creativity and an understanding of how to meet students’ individual needs.

The working day runs from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with 22 teaching periods each week and around 200 teaching days per year. Teachers do sometimes take work home, but they’re supported by a close-knit team of colleagues who share resources and ideas.

Current vacancies include MYP English, PYP, Music, ICT, and Head of Department roles. Contracts last two years and include a two-bedroom apartment and flight reimbursement. Salaries start at £3,000 per month before tax (which is approximately 27%), offering excellent value for Brazil’s largest city.

The teaching experience at our partner is as much rewarding as it is demanding. The school’s environment encourages creativity, celebrates diversity, and gives every teacher the space to make a real impact in the classroom and beyond.

3 Must Try Foods in Sao Paulo

Churrasco

Sanduiche de Mortadella

Coxinha

Cost of Living

While São Paulo is one of Brazil’s largest cities, living costs remain moderate for those who embrace local life. A meal at a neighbourhood restaurant costs around £5, and fresh fruit or coffee is rarely more than £1. Monthly rent for a modern apartment near the school is about £400 to £600, depending on the area. Transport is affordable, and local markets make groceries inexpensive and plentiful. By living as locals do, shopping at markets, using public transport, and enjoying the city’s simple pleasures, teachers can live comfortably and have enough left over for travel or savings with a salary far higher than the average.

Salary

Teachers at our partner in São Paulo earn a competitive salary about £3,000 before tax, with a 27%. Accommodation is provided and flights are reimbursed, greatly reducing living expenses. When balanced with São Paulo’s cost of living, this provides a comfortable lifestyle with room to save or travel. Most teachers enjoy regular outings, short trips to the coast, and a few small luxuries while still staying within budget. It’s a salary that reflects your experience and professionalism, and one that allows you to make the most of both your teaching career and your time in one of South America’s most dynamic cities.