.jpeg)
I love going out in Brazil for next to nothing and with next to nothing, in terms of what I carry on me. Back in California, I’d maybe do about two fun things per week. In Rio, when I lived near or in the Zona Sul, I’d go out about 4 times per week! That’s a big difference, especially for an introvert like me.
The ingredients for a good time out in Brazil are few, and they’re similar to those of the US, with a few key differences. In Brazil, one needs a good group of people (the less uppity, the better), a few reais, and to be open to what comes, even if that means catching that 5AM bus or metro back home.
In the US, I felt the destination had to be a bar or club, I’d have to spend at least US$40 and with that, I might have some fun. In Rio, spending US$5-10 in a single night (including beers) was the norm and I had lots of fun 90% of the time. Why? Mostly due to the serendipity.
In Brazil, I often went out with one idea of the night ahead of me and, to my delight, ended up experiencing something either slightly or entirely different. I found myself living in a land of “yeses”, saying “yes” where in the US, I’d say “no”.
Other articles you might like:
Lapa: It’s Never Too Late – nightlife in Rio de Janeiro
Diving Into the Rio Carioca – Rio de Janeiro’s history
————–
Schedule your Portuguese Demo Lesson.
Street Smart Brazil offers one-on-one and group classes online via webcam. We have a fantastic team of tutors, exclusive class materials, and complete programs from absolute beginner to fluent. See what our customers are saying.
It’s funny that you say you spent less on a night out when you lived in Brazil, since every American guy who lives here says everything in Brazil costs at least three times as much as in the US.
That is a good point, Gerson. Electronics and brand name apparel are much, much more expensive in Brazil. But my percecption is that it is easier to have fun for less money in Brazil that it is here in the US.