São Paulo is South America's financial and gastronomic capital. It is a massive, fast-paced metropolis where safety varies drastically by neighborhood. Upscale areas like Avenida Paulista, Jardins, and Vila Madalena are generally safe and heavily frequented by tourists and expats. The most prevalent crime targeting tourists here is smartphone snatching by thieves riding bicycles disguised as food delivery drivers; never hold your phone out near the street. Tourists should completely avoid the downtown historical center (Centro Histórico) at night, specifically the area known as 'Cracolândia' (Crackland), which suffers from severe open-air drug use and extreme poverty. Traffic is notoriously gridlocked, so rely on the excellent Metro system or ride-sharing apps.