The rich victors of the Brazilian economic "miracle" wander São Paulo's shopping centres - air-conditioned temples to hedonism - able to feel utterly insulated from their less fortunate fellow citizens. Each centre tries to outdo the other, with mirrored walls and ostentatious fountains - you won't feel closer to North America than this during your stay in Brazil. All the shopping centres are open Monday-Saturday 10am-10pm, and Sunday after lunch to around 7pm.

Eldorado , Av. Rebouças 3970, Pinheiros (bus from Praça da República). Rather downmarket, but nevertheless vast and with one of the largest ranges of shops.

Ibirapuera , Av. Ibirapuera 3103, Moema (bus from metrô Ana Rosa, or Praça da República). Plush shopping centre in an upmarket area.

Iguatemi , Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 1191, Jardim Europa (bus from Av. Ipiranga). The oldest of the city's many shopping centres - and constantly being relaunched as the most "sophisticated".

Morumbi , Av. Roque Petroni Jr 1089, Morumbi (bus from metrô Ana Rosa). Shopping centre serving one of the city's wealthiest neighbourhoods, with a huge recreation area and "gourmet" restaurants.

Shopping Light , corner of Rua Xavier de Toledo and the Viaduto do Chá, Centro. The newest, and perhaps the most upmarket, shopping centre, busiest on weekdays.