Brazil's São Paulo Guarulhos and Congonhas: the No-Sweat Guide to Navigating its Airports

I was talking to a friend, a successful buinesswoman, in Britain last week who was reluctant to visit Brazil because she said she found the country's airports intimidating. Specifically, the fact that there are two airports in São Paulo confused her. She is right to feel confused. São Paulo is truly an important city, one of the biggest and busiest in the World, and all international flights arrive there first, and not the capital, Brasília, I believe. I can remember having had a similar conversation with a conservation scientist I once worked wih in Mauritius. Mauritius' airport, though, had the charming, if unpronounceable, name of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and overlooks a lush volcanic landscape.  São Paulo's airport is the Shrek of airport architecture, cute and big, and has the added advantage that at least you can say its name after a few beers - GRU which, usefully, is also its international airport code, you know, the one that travel agents use.

Maureen (Mo) was confused by the need for two airports in one city. As far as I can make out, São Guarulhos - Shrek Airport as I like to call it - handles international flights and Congonhas handles domestic flights. I keep wanting to call Congonhas Cegonhas, which means 'storks' in Portuguese.

Such is Brazil's geography that Congonhas seems to handle shuttle flights between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro whilst Shrek handles The Rest Of The World. Many people in Rio seem to spend their days using shades, Hawaiian shirts and swimming trunks, whilst a lot of people from São Paulo use suits and briefcases.  Thus it makes sense to have an airport wholly dedicated to the trasnportation of all those flip-flops and brogues.

And one more thing.  If you come to Brazil, and you should because they make a drink here called 'Little Country Girl' aka caipirinha and it is heaven in a glass, then be prepared for the fact that you will have to collect all your hold baggage at São Paulo Guarulhos on landing.  Even if you are not staying in Saõ Paulo but are in transit to another city in Brazil. Yes, you read that right.  Allow plenty of time when booking your flights between Saõ Paulo and your onward destination because your luggage will not be transferred on to your onward flight. Boa viagem!