São Paulo Daily Brief for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

A marquee Tuesday on Avenida Paulista: free MASP entry all day plus a new exhibition opening at IMS. The Paulista cultural corridor is at its best today — take advantage of the sunshine before rain moves in tomorrow.

MASP — Free Entry Tuesday

The best museum deal in São Paulo: the MASP is free all day on Tuesdays, 10h–20h (entry until 19h). Current exhibitions include André Taniki Yanomami’s “ser imagem” (through Apr 5), Abel Rodríguez’s “Mogaje Guihu” (through Apr 5), and Minerva Cuevas’ “ecologia social” (through Apr 12). The new Claudia Alarcón and Silät Wichí weaving show opened March 6 as part of the 2026 Histórias Latino-Americanas programme. The Vão Livre features Iván Argote’s installation. Both the original Lina Bo Bardi building and the new Edifício Pietro Maria Bardi are accessible on one ticket. R$ 85 inteira on regular days, R$ 42 meia. Av. Paulista, 1578.

IMS Paulista — Photobook Exhibition Opens Today

In collaboration with 10×10 Photobooks, the IMS Photography Library inaugurates a show telling the history of the photobook through women who helped define visual culture over two centuries. Tue–Sun 10h–20h. Free. Av. Paulista, 2424.

Itaú Cultural — “Game+”

51 games across 25 consoles. Tue–Sat 11h–20h, Sun 11h–19h. Free. Av. Paulista, 149.

Centro Cultural Fiesp

Current exhibition until May 3. Tue–Sun 10h–20h. Free. Av. Paulista, 1313.

Sesc 24 de Maio — “HIP-HOP 80’sp” (Closes March 26)

Nine days left: 3,000+ pieces curated by OSGEMEOS and KL Jay tracing hip-hop’s history in São Paulo. Tue–Sat 9h–21h, Sun 9h–18h. Free. Rua 24 de Maio, 109.

MASP — Clara Ianni Video Room (Closes March 23)

The Sala de Vídeo featuring Clara Ianni’s work ends this week. Catch it today while entry is free. Same MASP hours.

Rodízio (vehicle restriction): Plates ending in 3 and 4 are restricted today (Tuesday) within the centro expandido, from 7h–10h and 17h–20h.

Metrô SP: Line 2 (green) serves the Paulista corridor via Consolação and Trianon-MASP. Line 4 (yellow) connects Luz/República to Butantã via Paulista. Operating 4h40–midnight.

For the IMS: Exit at Consolação (Line 2) and walk south along Av. Paulista (~10 min), or Line 4 to Paulista station and walk north.

Ride apps: 99 and Uber widely available. Heavy congestion on Marginais 7h–10h and 17h–20h — Metrô is faster for Paulista visits.

MASP day lunch: The museum café serves light meals. For a fuller lunch, cross to the Jardins side of Rua Augusta — Alameda Santos and Rua Haddock Lobo have dozens of restaurants within a 5-minute walk.

Near IMS (upper Paulista): Bakeries and casual eateries along Rua da Consolação and Rua Frei Caneca. Good for a quick break between museum visits.

Evening in Vila Madalena: If the sunny weather draws you west, Rua Aspicuelta and surroundings offer creative independent restaurants — natural wines, craft beer, and modern Brazilian menus.

Copom watch: Day 1 begins today with technical presentations. The rate decision is announced tomorrow evening (Wednesday). Markets are pricing a 0.25 pp cut to 14.75%.

Imposto de Renda 2026: The Receita Federal confirmed yesterday that filing begins March 23. Expats with Brazilian tax obligations should start gathering documentation.

Pharmacies: Droga Raia and Drogasil across Jardins, Paulista, and Pinheiros. Many open 7h–22h. 24-hour locations on Av. Paulista and in major shopping centres.

UV index: Expected to reach 9–10 (very high) despite partial cloud cover. Sunscreen essential, especially between 10h and 15h.

The only topic at every padaria counter this morning: Ancelotti’s 26-player squad. The Italian coach excluded Neymar from the roster for friendlies against France (March 26) and Croatia, both in the US. Santos fans are processing the snub, while pundits debate whether it is tactical or a signal that Neymar’s World Cup dream is over. São Paulo–connected players in the squad include Casemiro (Manchester United, born in SP state) and Endrick (Lyon, Palmeiras academy product).

Brasileirão Round 6 concluded last night: Chapecoense 1–1 Grêmio at Arena Condá. The early table remains tight, with São Paulo, Bahia, and Mirassol still the form sides through six rounds.

Expat networking events continue across Vila Madalena, Pinheiros, and Jardins. InterNations and Gringo São Paulo groups are good starting points.

Brasileirão Série A — Round 6 complete. No fixtures today. Round 7 begins Thursday, March 19.

Last night: Chapecoense 1–1 Grêmio (Arena Condá). Walter Clar converted a penalty before Nardoni equalised in first-half stoppage time. Grêmio 7th (8 pts), Chapecoense 12th (6 pts).

Round 7 (SP clubs, Thursday): Chapecoense vs Corinthians (21h30, Arena Condá). Other SP fixtures to be confirmed via CBF schedule.

Seleção: Ancelotti’s 26-player squad announced yesterday. Neymar excluded. Endrick (Lyon/Palmeiras academy), Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha included. Brazil vs France (Mar 26, USA), Brazil vs Croatia (USA).

Monday close (Mar 16): The Ibovespa rallied 1.25% to close at 179,875 points, snapping a three-session losing streak. The rebound was driven by improved global risk appetite after signs of a partial de-escalation in the Middle East — Iran’s foreign minister indicated the Strait of Hormuz remained open to non-hostile vessels, and two LPG tankers transited the strait bound for India. The USD/BRL fell 1.62% to close at R$ 5.23.

Copom — Day 1 today: The committee begins its two-day meeting this morning. The Selic stands at 15.00%. After Monday’s session, the DI curve is pricing in a 0.25 pp cut as the base case, with a 0.50 pp reduction now essentially off the table and a minority of participants pricing in a hold. The decision is announced Wednesday evening.

Focus Report (Mar 16): The weekly survey brought notable shifts — IPCA inflation jumped to 4.10% (from 3.91%), the biggest single-week increase in recent editions. Selic year-end rose to 12.25% (from 12.13%). GDP was nudged up to 1.83%. The USD/BRL year-end projection eased to R$ 5.40 (from R$ 5.41), its fourth consecutive decline.

Super Wednesday: Beyond the Copom, the Federal Reserve also announces its rate decision on Wednesday. The Fed is expected to hold at 3.50%–3.75%. The Bank of England and Bank of Japan also meet this week.

Oil: Brent crude opened today around $103.50 per barrel, still elevated but off last week’s highs near $120. The partial reopening of Hormuz shipping lanes eased the most extreme supply-disruption fears, though the situation remains fluid.

This Week

Wednesday, March 18: Copom and Fed rate decisions. Rain expected (60%). Rodízio: plates 5 and 6. Indoor museum day — Pinacoteca, Itaú Cultural, Farol Santander all open.

Thursday, March 19: Brasileirão Round 7 begins (Chapecoense vs Corinthians 21h30). Post-Selic market reaction. Rodízio: plates 7 and 8. Rain continues (70%).

Friday, March 20: MASP free from 18h–20h30. Rodízio: plates 9 and 0.

Saturday, March 22: MAC USP opens “O que temos em comum? Abstracionismos no MAC USP, 1940–1960” — ~80 works. Opening at 11h.

Published by The Rio Times — your São Paulo daily guide for Latin American financial news, LATAM market analysis, and Brazil financial news in English.