Last Updated: March 21, 2022
Rio De Janeiro vs Sao Paulo (Fun vs Culture?)
Planning your next trip to Brazil and only have time to visit one major city? Or maybe you’re thinking of moving there but are struggling to find the city to be your home away from home? Or perhaps you’re already living in Brazil but want to move somewhere a bit more lively? Well, you’re in the right place!
Here, we compare two of Brazil’s most vibrant cities, Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo, in a head-to-head review so you can find out which one is right for you. These incredibly energetic cities are the most populous cities in the whole of Brazil, and they both have plenty to offer when it comes to culture and nightlife.
Yet despite these similarities, and being located less than 300 miles apart, there are key differences between the two. Rio de Janeiro has remained surprisingly laid-back for a thriving capital city, and it offers its residents a unique blend of city living combined with an active outdoor lifestyle. Sao Paulo, on the other hand, is known for its booming business sector, and this concrete jungle has heaps to offer in terms of high-flying jobs, diverse cuisine, and quirky hipster hangouts.
So, let’s take a closer look at these two awesome cities so you can find out which one suits you best.
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What is there for culture vultures?
Rio De Janeiro
Rio is home to some spectacular landmarks, the most well-known of which is, without a doubt, the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue, which attracts thousands of tourists each year. Many of the other top attractions are natural landmarks, like Sugarloaf Mountain, known as the ‘Tourist Jewel’, the Tijuca Rainforest, one of the world’s largest urban forests, and Copacabana Beach, where many celebrations are held through the year.
There’s also an awesome art scene, which includes incredible street art as well as impressive collections of modern, contemporary, and fine art. One of the most popular museums is the Museu de Arte Contemporanea Niteroi, which is not only home to some spectacular pieces of modern art but is also a work of art in itself thanks to the design work by Oscar Niemeyer, a key influencer of modern architect.
Oh – and of course there’s the annual Rio Carnival which is truly a once in a lifetime experience for culture- and music-lovers.
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo might not have quite so much to offer when it comes to natural landmarks, but it more tan makes up for it with its vast array of museums – over 100 in total! Of these, the Beco do Batman is the most famous when it comes to European art, and for Brazilian art, head on over to the Pinacoteca Museum. But it’s not all art – there are museums on a range of things, including history and even football, so you definitely won’t get bored. There’s also impressive street art littered throughout the city, but you’ll find some of the best bits in and around Beco do Batman (a street famed for its graffiti).
Sao Paulo is also a haven for fashionistas and, unlike in Rio (where you’ll rarely see people not wearing flip-flops), you’ll see some incredibly well-dressed people prowling through its streets. There are plenty of high-end fashion shops throughout the city, and it hosts a fashion week twice a year that attracts visitors from around the world.
Verdict
Although both cities are home to some spectacular artwork, both in the streets and in museums, we reckon Sao Paulo has this bit more to offer when it comes to culture thanks to its fashion scene and the greater number of museums. Having said that, the natural landmarks of Rio aren’t be dismissed – but we’ll talk about them more below in the outdoor section!
What is there to do in the great outdoors?
Rio De Janeiro
Unusually for a capital city, Rio De Janeiro is known for its outdoor lifestyle and its incredible natural beauty. Situated on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, the city has plenty to offer when it comes to beaches and watersports. What’s more, behind the city skyscrapers, there’s a picturesque backdrop of mountains and hilly terrain. In fact, this diverse landscape is so impressive that a section of it was designated as a World Heritage Site back in 2012.
Of the beaches, the most famous is Copacabana Beach, with golden sands that stretch for over 5 kilometers. Here, you’ll find tourists soaking up the sun as well as locals topping up their tans on their lunch hour. This beach is often compared to the likes of Santa Monica in California, and it’s a pretty accurate comparison. There are plenty of exercise buffs around, using the sandy outdoor playgrounds for various activities, such as jogging yoga, volleyball, and swimming.
If you prefer to get your nature fix at higher altitudes, then fear not, a trip to Rio won’t leave you disappointed. The Tijuca Rainforest, located within the Tijuca National Park, is the largest urban forest in the world and offers spectacular views of forest and mountain scenery. But if that sounds like too much effort for you, you can experience incredible views without straying too far by taking a trip up Sugarloaf Mountian – this impressive peak protrudes from the mouth of the Guanabara Bay, and a trip on the associated cableway offers panoramic views of the city, the sea, and the mountains in the background.
Sao Paulo
Unlike Rio, Sao Paulo city is entirely landlocked, and the only jungle you’ll find there is the concrete kind. Having said that, if cityscapes are your thing, there are some impressive sights to be seen. The Terraco Italia is a fancy rooftop restaurant, located atop the might Edificio Italia skyscraper, that not only serves up tasty delights but also offers incredible 360 views as far as the eye can see. From here, the sheer expanse of Sao Paula really will take your breath away – after all, this mighty city is home to more inhabitants than the whole of the Netherlands!
And if you do find yourself in need of some greenery, then the state of Sao Paulo is home to some incredible national parks – you just won’t be able to visit them on your lunch break.
Verdict
Clearly, if you want all the perks of city living, but want to maintain a healthy outdoor lifestyle, then Rio is the place to be. But although Sao Paulo has less to offer within its city limits, don’t forget that the coast is just an hour’s drive away and you can visit some awesome parks on the weekend!
What treats can foodies expect to try?
Rio De Janeiro
If you’re into light bites and snacks, then you’re in for a real treat in Rio. There are stalls on almost every street serving up a range of tasty delights – the pastel de queijo (fried cheese balls), cassava chips, and bacalhau (fish bites) are particularly good. The fruit stands are out of this world too, and they’re a great place to grab a healthy snack and eat some of their most popular fruits on your way to the beach for a game of lunchtime volleyball. When it comes to larger restaurants, there are hints of immigrant influences throughout the city, and Japanese and Italian are the most popular non-Brazilian cuisines. Although there are some high-end restaurants out there, the food scene is pretty laid back – you can waltz into most places in your beach gear and can expect a cheerful, slow-paced service.
Sao Paulo
With so many jobs to offer, Sao Paulo has long attracted immigrants from all over the world and this has had an awesome impact on the food scene. There are incredible Brazilian, Italian, and Japanese cuisine on almost every street, and the fierce competition means that Sao Paulo is home to some seriously fancy restaurants, including D.O.M. – a Brazilian restaurant that was ranked as the sixth-best restaurant in the world back in 2014. These restaurants will set you back a fair bit but, don’t worry, you don’t have to be a high flyer to eat well in Sao Paulo – there are plenty of cheaper options for the young professionals in the city, including food stalls and trucks as well as shabby-chic hipsters hangouts serving up quirky meals (typically with vegan-friendly options, which can be hard to find elsewhere in Brazil!).
Verdict
So, when it comes to food, who takes the biscuit (no pun intended)? It just has to be Sao Paulo – it has everything that Rio has to offer and then some.
What is there to keep party animals entertained?
Rio De Janeiro
One thing’s for sure – you’ll never be bored in Rio if you’re looking for some evening entertainment. There are heaps of small-scale bars and restaurants pumping out tunes in the evening, and many turn into impromptu dance bars for the night. The atmosphere is friendly and you don’t have to dress up to enter most places – shorts and flip-flops are totally acceptable evening wear. This casual vibe is awesome for during the week when you don’t want to take things too far, and at the weekend most people head on over to Lapa to make the most of the colorful clubs and bars, most of which will be playing samba until the early hours.
Sao Paulo
With a reputation for being workaholics during the week, it’s not surprising that Sao Paulo residents need to blow off some steam from time to time. The work-hard-play-hard attitude is rife in Sao Paulo, and it’s home to the best clubs in the country. You’ll find Brazilian nightclubs here, but also clubs playing a huge range of electronic, house, and other genres as well as sauna parties, regular music festivals, and rooftop bars with incredible views.
As you might expect for a city full of fashionistas and highflyers, the dress code here is a lot stricter than in Rio – you can’t rock up in your day clothes and expect entry to the clubs. Another thing to bear in mind is that the nights here are long – many of the clubs don’t get going until the early hours of the morning, and the afterparties can keep going until well into the next day.
Verdict
If you’re looking for one crazy night to blow off some steam, then Sao Paulo is the way to go. But that’s not the only way to spend an evening. Sometimes the best nights start out with a bite to eat, then turn into a few drinks, and before you know it you’re dancing the night away – and there’s nowhere better for a surprise night out than Rio. So, we reckon it’s a tie on this front overall.
And what about general livability?
Rio De Janeiro
Rio is one friendly capital city, which makes it a great place to live in many ways. The outdoor lifestyle is great for anyone that love the outdoors and makes it a great city for families with small children. Being a capital city, though, it’s generally more expensive than Sao Paulo when it comes to essentials like accommodation, food, and transport – although prices vary from district to district (if you want to save, then avoid the more touristy areas).
Sao Paulo
The thriving business sector in Sao Paulo makes it a great place for anyone with skills to offer seeking employment opportunities. It’s also a little cheaper than Rio when it comes to renting property and public transport, so in this way, it can be a good place to start a family. When it comes to having fun, however, Sao Paulo can set you back a lot more – all those high-end restaurants and fancy nightclubs come with pretty hefty price tags. Plus, the urban lifestyle, won’t suit everyone – the fast pace of life, slightly less-friendly vibes (compared to Rio), and limited outdoor spaces will certainly put off some people.
Verdict
Rio De Janeiro vs Sao Paulo Overall
As we’ve seen, these are two pretty special cities with heaps to offer residents as well as tourists. If you prefer a laid-back outdoorsy vibe, then Rio is probably the city for you, and if you’re a work-hard-play-hard type, then Sao Paulo will be right up your street. But, then again, Rio has awesome nightlife too, and Sao Paulo has some incredible natural sites just an hour or two’s drive away… so really you’re winning no matter where you go!
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
