Why Brazil Could Be Your Next Location Independent Destination

Illustration by Jonathan Woodward

Exotic, raw, exciting, dangerous and poetic. All these words encapsulate Brazil in a nutshell.

The stereotypical view of this country is a heady mix of trendy beaches, swaying samba hips, football heroes, heart-breaking poverty and crime. One minute you’re in awe of its natural beauty, the other you’re fighting back the tears as you see street kids sleeping in cardboard boxes.

But is it an ideal country for the Location Independent Professional looking for a cheaper, more relaxed lifestyle with good weather and friendly locals?

Here are some fast facts:

• The language spoken is portuguese. You will need to know a few words at least.
• The two main cities are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
• The currency is called the Real:
  USD 1 = Real 1.788 / GBP 1 = Real 3.62 / EUR 1 = Real 2.61
• Most major cities have high speed internet.
• American citizens need a tourist visa; British & Europeans don’t.
• The length of stay permitted as a tourist is three months.
• The hottest, sunniest months are between November and March when the temperature can reach 40 C.
• Slums are known as favelas and they should be avoided.
• Rio de Janeiro has two of the most famous beaches in the world: Copacabana and Ipanema.
• Carnaval usually takes place in February.

Where to stay

In the major cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio most people live in apartment buildings. These generally come unfurnished, although you can find furnished ones which are also serviced. The typical unfurnished one bed apartment will rent out at around USD 200 per month in a nice area of town. You can expect to pay more in the region of USD 400-700 per month for a fully furnished and serviced apartment.

Craigslist has a Brazil section which advertises for apartments in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. If you’re looking for fully serviced apartments in the Ipanema and Copacabana areas of Rio then www.rioapartments.se caters for most budgets. If you feel your portuguese is up to the challenge and/or you have a local friend then try the apartment listings in the O Globo newspaper or their website.

Three cities for a Location Independent Professional to consider:

Rio de Janeiro

Rio has a reputation for being fun and sexy. The locals are very friendly and everyone is intent on enjoying themselves as much as they can. The South Zone has the best infrastructure and nicest neighbourhoods such as Leblon, Botofogo, Ipanema, Laranjeras

Sao Paulo

This is the financial capital of Brazil and also its busiest city. It’s renowned for its fantastic restaurants, museums and nightlife. The infrastructure is modern, the accommodation standards are good but the nearest beach is a couple of hours drive away.

Recife

This is a fast growing town full of modern high rises. Despite this it still has a rustic traditional side and it is well known for its festivals and its beaches.

General living costs

Typically you’ll spend USD 1.50-2 for a beer in a major city.

A basket of groceries enough for two people to last a week will cost around USD 40. In a good restaurant paying USD 40 per person is considered expensive, although there are plenty of restaurants where you can expect to pay more, particularly in Sao Paulo.

The traffic in the major cities can be chaotic but public transport is cheap. A single trip will cost no more than USD 1. Travelling by public bus however is an experience that not everyone will enjoy and can be hazardous.

A local’s tip: If you’re about to enter the often hellish governmental system for registration or tax purposes ask your neighbour before you start. They will probably have a friend or relative who knows someone who can help you get things done a little quicker.

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