São Paulo is the largest city in the Americas by population, and it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, that’s why a lot of people see São Paulo as a business destination rather than leisure.
I need to be honest, growing up in Brazil I never felt in love for São Paulo, until I had the chance to experience São Paulo as a local. Like many Brazilians (and foreigners too), I would choose Rio de Janeiro over São Paulo easily. São Paulo was just too chaotic and crazy, in my mind, there was no way I could enjoy that city for leisure. But during on my few trips to São Paulo, I had the chance to see the city in a different way, and all the suddenly São Paulo become “SAMPA” to me.
Sampa is a nickname for São Paulo, but more than a nickname is the opportunity visitors can express if they like or not the city. If you are a tourist just passing by, or if you are here for business, the city is just São Paulo to you. But if you got the chance to embrace the city, to explore the hidden secrets and the bohemia, you then have received the permission to call it Sampa!
I heard once from Anthony Bourdain, that you would have a better experience in São Paulo if you know someone to show you the city as a local, otherwise, you won’t truly enjoy it. I couldn’t agree more with him; to experience the city as local is what would differ you from leaving São Paulo or Sampa at the end of your trip.
The good new is that you are in Brazil, and the Brazilian hospitality will make you feel you have a friend anywhere you go. The waiter will make you feel like a friend, the doorman, the taxi driver… ooops, maybe not “always” for the taxi driver ☺
I have to say that this place is not for everyone, some people even after experience the city as local will still prefer Rio over São Paulo. In my case, I had to move to the States, and miss my home country, culture and food to then appreciate what this city has to offer.
After 7 years living abroad, I returned to São Paulo and had the opportunity to see the city as half gringo and half Brazilian. My perspective as a tourist in São Paulo changed. The expensive international restaurants and shopping malls would make it on my to-do list anymore. I trade all to a “pé sujo bar” or “boteco”, that’s how Brazilians call the average bar with inexpensive drinks and appetizers – São Paulo has several options for boteco, and they are now the place to be in the city. There you will find people of all ages and tribes.
I also wouldn’t think twice about crossing the entire city to find the best “coxinha” or driving miles to try the best “feijoada” in town. On that exactly moment I discovered Sampa, a chaotic city, but full of energy and opportunities to embrace the Brazilian culture.
Are you curious to know how you can experience the city as local and which places you should visit? Check it out this post where I mention the 10 ways to experience São Paulo as a local. I hope you will land in São Paulo, then fall in love for this amazing city and leave São Paulo Sampa with a desire to come back!
