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Although I am not a Brasilian, sometimes I feel like one! Eu adoro tudo sobre Brasil! Speaking from the experiences I have had while visiting both cities several times, I must say that their really is no right answer - this is such a subjective question.
Therefore, the answer will also be subjective. It all depends on what your overall attitude and goals are. These two cities have vastly different arrays of incredible offerings on so many levels. Surprisingly, they also are very similar in several ways.
Rio de Janeiro is a bustling city of about 11.5 million people - each of them competing and collaborating in a daily ritual of making the most out of life. Even the residents of the many densely packed hillside favelas (slums) each vie for resources, attention, & entertainment. Incredibly, so many of these people living in extreme poverty are grateful, even living GRACEFULLY, despite their circumstances. Life is not just about survival for these people, though doing so invariably makes them stronger - immensely strong - ESPECIALLY in spirit! They actually can be quite content though they seem to have none of the comforts that a modern society usually offers. Most of the time, these shantytowns (favelas) do not even have running water. They always find a way around their daily obstacles, which over time, creates a society that practically thrives on chaos. They find a way to get things done, to make things happen - this energy is contagious. Everyone just thinks they can and most of them are out there just doing it.
In Rio, the beach is the great equalizer! It is a great remedy and a powerful elixir for so many of the residents of this unique city. For everything they do not have, the large class of poor people in Rio have equal access to the beach! Some of the richest neighborhoods in the world are in Rio, almost adjacent to some of the poorest neighborhoods in the world. The thing they share in common are some of the most popular and beautiful beaches and coastline in the world - the contrast of the mountains next to the water and beaches is breath taking (like Copacabana).
The other thing people in Rio share in common is the 38m tall statue of Christ looking down over the city from the top of Corcovado (710m). There is a link following this GIANT BOOK OF AN ANSWER, which gives you a 360 panoramic view from the top of Corcovado - where O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) stands tall and proud over his majestic city by the sea. There is some unifying symbolism here. The city sort of tends to come together despite being so scattered socio-economically. There is a passion in the way even an average Brasilian lives their life! This passion emerges from the flair or jeito (skill/way) of a Brasilian. You have got to see it in action to know what I mean - its like a flow. Sometimes their personality just expresses this naturally. Things just have a way of happening - of coming together - seemingly at the last minute with perfect grace - that is Brasilian jeito - which is more evident on the streets of Rio than in any other city in Brasil.
There is so much more to Rio than the beaches & tourism. There are many natural beauties in the city, not to mention the entire state of Rio. I am not just talking about all the spectacularly beautiful women EVERYWHERE in Rio. Geography aside, Rio de Janeiro is a city full of life, opportunity, & a unique energy - mostly derived from the more laidback lifestyle of the Cariocas.
Sao Paulo, on the other hand, is a city that has a more rigorous lifestyle. Not only the industrial capital of Brasil, Sao Paulo is also the financial and cultural center of Brasil. On nearly every street corner in Sao Paulo, there is some type of commercial activity or movement. There are many street corners in Sao Paulo! In fact, let's put it this way, over 20 million people live in the metro area & most of them are up to something.
Most importantly, Sao Paulo is completely overflowing with cultural options. This is truly a cosmopolitan city, full of unbelievable restaurants and shops from all over the world. The cuisine and the nightlife of "Sampa" is second to no other city. The people of Sao Paulo certainly work hard, though we all realize they know how to play hard as well.
They can be carefree at times, however, a Paulista is more likely to be striving for something - working or studying to better themselves or their families. This of course happens in Rio as well, just not after 3 p.m.! Offices in Sao Paulo are open late and many people work at night. Generally speaking, Rio offices shut down before 5 o'clock. This frustrates those Paulistas who are trying to reach Cariocas at the end of the afternoon.
In Sao Paulo, many young residents work full time during the day & go to school full time at night. This is true in many areas of Brasil, however, in Sao Paulo it is much more common for students to work full time while they are s |
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