I have to admit...my shopping goals in São Paulo were basically heels and Havaianas. And Boavista…read moredid not disappoint! Boavista is a multi-story indoor shopping mall that has a variety of stores. I wasn't familiar with most of the stores there, but there was a Havaianas store (perfect!) as well as a number of shoe stores. Additionally, there were jewelry stores, regular clothing stores, and food options. There was a swimsuit store in Boavista, but it was junk because they didn't let you try on anything. What I thought was really cool about Boavista was that they have rides for little kiddys as well as a supervised play area for them as well! I know when I was little and my mom would drag me to the mall I would be extremely bored, so this seems like a great option for both kids and parents alike. Parking was paid in the garage attached to the mall, but was not crowded at all on a Wednesday afternoon. Happy shopping! TL;DR - children's play area, paid parking, and lots of shoe stores!

I second Preeti M in declaring this flip flop heaven!! If you are in the area a stop at this…read moreHavianas flagship store is a must. I stayed around the block from here when I was recently in Sao Paulo for a conference and must admit I visited this store 3 times during my week long stay. I just kept thinking of people to buy flip flops for. I was blown away by the wide range of styles - so many color and pattern combinations, strap options, and designs. They even have baby havianas which are absolutely adorable. The employees are really helpful here and are happy to look in the back for sizes you can't find...etc. One of the main draws for me of this store was the extremely cheap prices. In the U.S. havianas can sell for $30, at this store the vast majority of flip flops sell for under $10. Makes for great presents for friends!

What a great idea for a shop! You wander in through an very…read moreopen frontage and look out over what looks like a little market stall with a straw roof. The 'market stall' is piled high with loads of different flip flops for you to dive in and fondle (is it rude to say 'fondle' when talking about flip flops??). You can even have your own designs made up on the spot! How cool is that? They really are inexpensive too, especially for something that bear a brand that has become world known and renowned. Picked me up some baby flip flops for my daughter, cost me a whole 6 pounds, a bargain for a slice of Brazil :)

Havaianas are a true Brazilian product and original since 1962. This is a small shop but they have…read moreproducts for men, women, and children. Unlike larger shops in Rio, they do not sell accessories or clothing. You can have your pair of flip-flops customized as you desire. There is a drawer full of options to bedazzle and customize your own flip-flops. They can customize a new pair or update an old pair of Havaianas while you wait. This shop offers a variety of colors and designs for the new seasonal collection including espadrilles. Havaianas are fun, comfortable, and are good quality for the value. The store is open on Sunday. www.havaianas.com

The clothes felt high-quality and well made, with classic styles that work for my wardrobe; prices…read morewere fair for the brand, and I found items on sale that made the value even better. The store was well organized and comfortable to browse, and the service stood out. There was an employee named Trish looked like she was about to go on break but stayed to help me with sizing and styling, patient and genuinely helpful, which made the whole visit excellent. As roupas parecem de alta qualidade e bem-confeccionadas, com estilos clássicos que combinam com meu guarda-roupa; os preços são justos para a marca, e havia promoções que aumentaram o custo-benefício. A loja estava organizada e confortável para procurar peças, e o atendimento se destacou -- uma funcionária chamada Trish parecia que ia sair para o intervalo, mas ficou para me ajudar com tamanhos e combinação de roupas, paciente e muito solícita, o que tornou a visita excelente.

I already own a few pairs of Havainas but my parents were traveling to Brazil for the first time…read moreand they just had to get a pair, because it's handy in the heat. The shop had so many cool models they bought some for every member of the family (so they say, I suspect they might keep them all for themselves). I like going around the shop, I have a hard time picking just one pair but I live in Ireland and definitely do not need more than I already have! They also do keyrings, phone cases, bags, purses ...so colourful!

A fun store with excellent staff. However, I am sad to say that I still can't wear thongs. I wish I…read morecould find them comfortable.

Arguably Sao Paulo's highest-end mall, Shopping Iguatemi offers all the usual international brands…read moreplus several Brazilian originals. Spread across several levels, and in many ways a labyrinth, this is also the home of Manioca and Davvero Gelato

I have a love hate relationship with this mall. It is a São Paulo classic and great place to people…read morewatch encapsulating everyone from Botox filled elite to everyday workers grabbing a bite at the food court. I've bought some nice gifts here for others, shipped packages to the U.S. (The FedEx kiosk doesn't charge a ridiculous markup.), and eaten magnificent meals. There are tasty free samples to try and beautiful designer handbags to ogle. The installations in the center courtyard are nice, and the embroidery and wrapping kiosks hidden in a random alley have saved my but. They have ample bike parking and decent froyo. I can't say this place doesn't have its pros. The issue is that the place is just plain over-priced and poorly organized. I don't love any of the higher end Brazilian women's brands that they have there. I prefer many of the shops on/near Oscar Freire for the same price range. Of the very few lower price point stores, they always run out of sizes or try to sell me clothes with defaults or stains. The service isn't ever that attentive to me, probably because I don't get all dressed up to go to the mall like most Brazilians do. Much of the mall feels like it is in an underground tunnel, and none of the escalators flow easily from the top floor to the bottom floor of the mall. While the uncovered parking area out back is lovely with gorgeous old trees, the other options you are forced to use when it's full are dark and hard to maneuver. Like every other mall in town, I find this place to be a necessary evil at times. In my opinion this particular one is best for eating and a few specialty stops only.