Welcome to your São Paulo daily guide for Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — the last day of March. The MASP runs its free Tuesday from 10h to 20h: five exhibitions including the new Cinco ensaios sobre o MASP — Renoir, Sandra Gamarra Heshiki’s réplica, La Chola Poblete’s Pop andino, Claudia Alarcón’s Wichí textiles, and the permanent collection — all at zero cost. The Pinacoteca continues Pascale Marthine Tayou’s Knockout! across all three buildings. The weather has cooled: 24°C with 35% rain, a sharp drop from the weekend’s 29°C. On the markets, Monday reversed two sessions of losses: the Ibovespa rose 0.53% to 182,514 on Petrobras and Vale strength. The dollar held at R$5.24. The Focus survey raised the 2026 IPCA forecast to 4.31%.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily São Paulo daily guide coverage for expats and the international community.
01Weather & What to WearFORECAST
A rainy week ahead — 35% rain today, rising to 65% Wednesday and Thursday. Friday (Good Friday) warms slightly to 27°C but stays wet at 55%. This is an indoor museum week. The MASP free evening window (until 20h) is ideal for after-work visits.
02Day at a GlanceSNAPSHOT
Tuesday is the MASP’s free day — the best-value museum visit of the week. Five exhibitions until 20h, two hours later than normal closing. The Pinacoteca is closed today (its weekly day off), so the MASP carries the programme alone on Av. Paulista.
03What to See & DoCULTURE
Museums & Exhibitions
MASP — Free Tuesday
Five exhibitions at zero cost until 20h. The new Cinco ensaios sobre o MASP — Renoir (opened Saturday) reunites the museum’s Renoir collection. Plus Sandra Gamarra Heshiki: réplica (~80 works), La Chola Poblete: Pop andino, Claudia Alarcón & Silät: viver tecendo (25 Wichí textiles), and the permanent collection spanning both buildings. The extended hours until 20h make this ideal for after-work visits.
Av. Paulista 1578. Tue 10h–20h. Free today. Closed Mondays. Metrô: Trianon-MASP (Line 2-Green).
Also Open Today
More Cultural Venues
Pinacoteca closed today (Tuesday). MAC USP (Ibirapuera): “O que temos em comum?” abstractions, free. CCSP (R. Vergueiro 1000): Sheyla Ayo visual arts show (free through Apr 19). Museu da Língua Portuguesa (Luz): funk exhibition, Tue–Sun 9h–16h30, R$24. Museu do Futebol (Pacaembu): “Os Reis do Futebol”, Tue–Sun 9h–18h.
04Getting AroundTRANSPORT
Rodízio: Plates ending in 3 and 4 are restricted from 7h–10h and 17h–20h in the centro expandido.
For the MASP: Metrô Line 2-Green to Trianon-MASP. The museum is directly above the station. With 35% rain, the covered Metrô access is the best option. The extended hours until 20h mean you can avoid rush-hour rodízio by visiting after 18h.
05Where to EatFOOD
Paulista circuit: The MASP café for a quick bite between exhibitions. R. Augusta and R. Haddock Lobo for sit-down dinner after the free evening visit. Japan House restaurant (five-minute walk north) for Japanese-Brazilian cuisine.
Rainy-day tip: The covered walkways between MASP, Japan House, and the Av. Paulista cafés keep you dry. R. Oscar Freire (10-minute walk west, mostly covered by shop awnings) is another option for the Jardins restaurant strip.
06Practical InfoESSENTIALS
Focus survey update: The weekly Banco Central Focus survey raised the 2026 IPCA forecast from 4.17% to 4.31% — approaching the 4.5% ceiling. The war’s oil-price impact is now fully embedded in inflation expectations. IGP-M turned positive in March at +0.52%.
Semana Santa: Sexta-feira Santa (April 3) is a public holiday. Markets and B3 closed. Banks closed. The MASP and Pinacoteca maintain normal hours on Good Friday. Plan trading and banking for today through Thursday.
07Community & LifestyleEXPAT LIFE
Free Tuesday plan: MASP (10h–20h, free) is the only major museum open on Tuesdays (Pinacoteca closed). Use the extended hours — arrive at 17h after work, see all five exhibitions by 20h, dinner on R. Augusta. The best free cultural evening of the week.
End of March: The month closes with the Ibovespa down ~3.3% but still +12.68% YTD. The cultural calendar held strong: MASP launched Renoir, the Sesc HIP-HOP closed after a landmark run, and the Pinacoteca’s Tayou continues through August. April brings Brasileirão Round 9 tomorrow and Semana Santa Friday.
08Game DaySPORT
No Brasileirão fixtures today. Round 9 begins tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1) with Thursday fixtures on April 2. Palmeiras and São Paulo lead the table on 16 points. Full standings at The Rio Times sports coverage.
09Business & MarketsFINANCE
Monday close: Ibovespa +0.53% to 182,514 — reversing two sessions of losses. Petrobras and Vale led the recovery as oil stayed above US$100. Brava Energia surged 5%+ on new drilling campaign. WEG gained nearly 5% on battery factory announcement. Dollar held at R$5.24 (+0.12%). In New York: Dow +0.11%, S&P 500 −0.39%, Nasdaq −0.73%. March decline: ~3.3%. YTD: +12.68%.
Context: Selic at 14.75%. Focus IPCA 2026 raised to 4.31%. IGP-M March +0.52%. Focus year-end: Selic 12.25%, dollar R$5.50. Next Copom: April 28–29. Sexta-feira Santa April 3 (B3 closed). For full analysis, see today’s Brazil Morning Call.
10Plan AheadCOMING UP
Wed Apr 1: Brasileirão Round 9 begins. Pinacoteca reopens. MASP open 10h–18h. 25°C, 65% rain.
Thu Apr 2: Brasileirão Round 9 Thursday fixtures. 26°C, 65% rain.
Fri Apr 3: Sexta-feira Santa — public holiday. Markets and B3 closed. MASP open 10h–18h. 27°C, 55% rain.
Apr: MASP opens Santiago Yahuarcani and Colectivo Acciones de Arte (CADA) exhibitions.
Apr 28–29: Next Copom meeting.
São Paulo Daily Brief — your São Paulo daily guide — Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Published for residents and visitors. All times in Brasília time (BRT, UTC-3). Weather: open-source API. Culture: MASP, CCSP, MAC USP. Markets: B3, Banco Central. Sport: CBF.
Related coverage: São Paulo Daily Brief — Monday, March 30 | Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief — Tuesday, March 31 | Brazil’s Morning Call