Welcome to your São Paulo daily guide for Thursday, April 2, 2026. The ride-hailing company 99 formally dropped its mototáxi plans in São Paulo yesterday, ending a year-long legal battle with the Prefeitura. CEO Simeng Wang told Mayor Ricardo Nunes the company will pivot to delivery and logistics — no more passenger transport by motorcycle in the capital. The Brasileirão Série A Round 9 continues tonight with Thursday fixtures. Both the MASP and Pinacoteca are open. Tomorrow is Sexta-feira Santa — public holiday, markets closed. On the markets, Wednesday extended the rally: the Ibovespa rose 0.26% to 187,953 as ceasefire momentum grew. Trump said the US will leave Iran “very quickly.” The dollar fell to R$5.15 — lowest since May 2024.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily São Paulo daily guide coverage for expats and the international community.
01Weather & What to WearFORECAST
Thursday at 26°C with 65% rain — carry an umbrella. Good Friday warms to 28°C but stays wet at 45%. The Easter weekend improves: Saturday 35% rain, Sunday clears to just 15% at 26°C. Easter Sunday’s Paulista Aberta should be comfortable.
02Day at a GlanceSNAPSHOT
Thursday is the last full working day before Easter. Both major museums are open. The Brasileirão completes Round 9 tonight. The 99 mototáxi story resolves a year-long standoff — app-based motorcycle passenger transport is officially off the table in São Paulo.
03What to See & DoCULTURE
Museums & Exhibitions
MASP — Renoir + Histórias Latino-Americanas
Five exhibitions: Cinco ensaios sobre o MASP — Renoir, Sandra Gamarra Heshiki: réplica, La Chola Poblete: Pop andino, Claudia Alarcón & Silät: viver tecendo, and the permanent collection. All Latin American shows through August. The MASP is open on Good Friday (10h–18h, R$85).
Av. Paulista 1578. Thu 10h–18h. R$85/R$42. Free Tuesdays 10h–20h. Closed Mondays. Metrô: Trianon-MASP (Line 2-Green).
Pinacoteca — Nocaute + Macunaíma é Duwid
Pascale Marthine Tayou: Knockout! fills seven Pina Luz galleries. Macunaíma é Duwid at Pina Estação. Cristina Salgado in the Octógono. All through August 2. Saturday is the next free day.
Pina Luz: Praça da Luz 2. Pina Estação: Largo General Osório 66. Wed–Mon 10h–18h. Free Saturdays. Metrô: Luz (Line 1-Blue / Line 4-Yellow).
Also Open Today
More Cultural Venues
MAC USP (Ibirapuera): “O que temos em comum?” abstractions, free. CCSP (R. Vergueiro 1000): Sheyla Ayo visual arts show (free through Apr 19). Museu do Futebol (Pacaembu): “Os Reis do Futebol”, Tue–Sun 9h–18h.
04Getting AroundTRANSPORT
Rodízio: Plates ending in 7 and 8 restricted 7h–10h and 17h–20h. No rodízio on Good Friday or Easter weekend.
99 mototáxi update: The ride-hailing company formally dropped its mototáxi plans in São Paulo yesterday. App-based motorcycle passenger transport remains unavailable in the capital. The company will focus on 99 Entrega and 99 Food instead. This does not affect 99’s car-based ride services, which continue normally.
05Where to EatFOOD
Paulista: The MASP café, Japan House restaurant, R. Augusta and R. Haddock Lobo for lunch options. At 26°C with 65% rain, covered options are better today.
Easter weekend: Many restaurants adjust hours for Good Friday. Supermarkets may close early tomorrow. Check ahead for your regular spots. The Feira da Liberdade runs Sunday (Easter) from 9h as usual.
06Practical InfoESSENTIALS
Sexta-feira Santa tomorrow: Public holiday. Markets, B3, and banks closed. The MASP (10h–18h) and Pinacoteca maintain normal hours. Complete any trading or banking today.
Ceasefire momentum: Trump said the US will leave Iran “very quickly.” Iran’s new leader reportedly requested a ceasefire. Brent dropped below US$100. The dollar fell to R$5.15 — lowest since May 2024. If a ceasefire materialises over Easter, expect significant market moves when B3 reopens Monday.
07Community & LifestyleEXPAT LIFE
99 mototáxi — what it means for expats: App-based motorcycle passenger rides are not available in São Paulo. The 99 app still works for car rides, 99 Entrega (delivery), and 99 Food. Uber’s mototáxi service is also not operating in the capital. For motorcycle transport, traditional motoboy services remain available for deliveries only.
Easter weekend plan: Good Friday at the MASP (28°C, 45% rain). Saturday at the Pinacoteca (free, 28°C). Easter Sunday: Paulista Aberta (9h–17h) + Feira da Liberdade (9h) — 26°C, 15% rain. Three days of museums and outdoor culture.
08Game DaySPORT
Brasileirão Série A Round 9 Thursday fixtures tonight. Palmeiras and São Paulo lead the table on 16 points. Check The Rio Times sports coverage for confirmed kick-off times and results from last night’s Wednesday fixtures.
09Business & MarketsFINANCE
Wednesday close: Ibovespa +0.26% to 187,953 — a fourth consecutive gain. Ceasefire optimism drove broad gains but Petrobras fell as oil dropped below US$100. Embraer led the upside recovering March losses. Dollar fell sharply to R$5.15 — lowest since May 2024. In New York: Dow +0.48%, S&P 500 +0.72%, Nasdaq +1.16%. ISM Manufacturing 52.7 (above consensus).
Context: Selic at 14.75%. Focus IPCA 2026 at 4.31%. Focus year-end: Selic 12.25%, dollar R$5.50. B3 closed tomorrow (Good Friday) — reopens Monday. QAV +55% effective yesterday. Next Copom: April 28–29. For full analysis, see today’s Brazil Morning Call.
10Plan AheadCOMING UP
Fri Apr 3: Sexta-feira Santa — holiday. B3 and banks closed. MASP open 10h–18h. Pinacoteca open. 28°C, 45% rain.
Sat Apr 4: Pinacoteca free Saturday. MASP open. 28°C, 35% rain.
Sun Apr 5: Easter Sunday. Paulista Aberta 9h–17h. Feira da Liberdade from 9h. 26°C, 15% rain.
Apr: MASP opens Santiago Yahuarcani and Colectivo Acciones de Arte (CADA).
Apr 28–29: Next Copom meeting.
São Paulo Daily Brief — your São Paulo daily guide — Thursday, April 2, 2026. Published for residents and visitors. All times in Brasília time (BRT, UTC-3). Weather: open-source API. Culture: MASP, Pinacoteca, CCSP, MAC USP. Markets: B3, Banco Central. Sport: CBF.
Related coverage: São Paulo Daily Brief — Wednesday, April 1 | Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief — Thursday, April 2 | Brazil’s Morning Call