Brazil is a vibrant country that makes love a true celebration. My curiosity about modern Brazilian dating culture and my old friends, who have been nagging me to visit him for over 3 years now, inspired me to plan a trip to this amazing country.
I have a clear goal to explore what dating in Brazil as a foreigner is really like. So, be ready to see my French charm in action and make notes on where, how, and tips to make it work.
Let’s roll!
Where to meet a Brazilian woman or man?
When you take a look at dating in Brazil, you may notice that it’s not that different from Western dating. But isn’t love a universal thing?
However, being in the country, observing how people tend to behave, and going on dates with beautiful Brazilian women made me think about cultural differences, dating culture, and the best ways to meet people as a foreigner.
I talked to many singles, married couples, and those in serious relationships to gather all the best insights for you, mon amie!
Online dating as part of Brazilian dating culture
Every Brazilian woman or guy I talked to, regardless of their age, recommended that I try dating apps and sites to explore the dating pool. They were so confident that it should be my go-to option.
And when I checked online dating statistics, I understood such persistence:
- The country is among the top 10 countries that use dating apps and sites the most
- It is expected that 17.6M Brazilian men and women will be on the online dating scene by 2027
- Brazil is 2nd in the world by dating app usage (which was a huge surprise to me 😮)
Looking at the statistics, it is no wonder why Brazilian women and men are so comfortable using dating apps and sites. But not all Brazilian dating sites are the same, so you should pick a different site depending on your dating goal.
Your main options are:
- Casual dating services. These are meant for casual flings and casual hookups in a pay-per-hour motel and similar encounters. Brazilians have a really fun-loving spirit and are quite open-minded to various casual forms of dating and gay pride, and the country simply oozes sexuality.
- International dating sites. That’s a place to meet a Brazilian partner if you are looking for either a short-term or long-term relationship but live abroad. Brazilian culture has nothing against international relationships, and from what I saw, they are quite common.
- Mail order bride platforms. These international or mono-national websites are perfect for someone seeking a serious long-term relationship. They are designed specifically for people who are ready to start a family.
So, regardless if you are looking for a holiday romance or want a serious relationship, there is something for everyone.
From my personal experience, online dating really works. I got many dates from the platforms locals recommended. If you are curious to see which ones I used, here are the reputable Brazilian dating sites that might help you find a date in Brazil.
Offline option for dating Brazilian women and men
As Gustave Nadaud once said “Rester c’est exister, mais voyager c’est vivre,” which translates to: to stay is to exist, to travel is to live—and I couldn’t agree more.
Traveling widens your horizons and can also be a great opportunity to change your love life. But you need to understand that in Brazil, it’s much easier to approach women in big cities than in rural areas.
Where do I look for a date in Brazil?
The most popular places to get a date in Rio de Janeiro are:
- Bars and restaurants
- Outdoor street parties (a bloco—moving street party)
- Coffee shops
Of course, you can try your charm almost everywhere, but I’ve noticed that the majority of Brazilian girls don’t take foreigners seriously this way.
Also, you need to keep in mind that Brazil dating offline is not that easy when you are a foreigner. Be ready to put off 2-3 weeks on your trip (or even more) and around $3,000-$4,000 on transportation, accommodation, food, and dates (Brazilians have more traditional gender roles, and women will expect you not to pay half but to cover the bill fully). However, it also varies depending on where exactly you are.
Offline dating can work, and there is a chance to build a great relationship and enjoy going on physical dates, but you need to approach things the right way and have patience.
Philippe Berry recommends: The first-date locations in Brazil
- Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, for a midday stroll along beautiful gardens and delicious pastries and coffee in Confeitaria Cister.
- A Casa do Porco, Sao Paulo, is a perfect spot for the first date of meat lovers! If you are there, try pork jowl sushi and pancetta crackling!
- Santa Teresa District, Rio de Janeiro, for an artsy date along picturesque streets.
Tips for foreigners on how to navigate the Brazilian culture for dating
There are not that many significant differences between Brazilian and Western cultures for dating, which makes international dating couples match well. But there are still a few things worth remembering when searching for a date or being in a relationship with a Brazilian woman or man.
Don’t join the first site you see unless you want to be scammed
With the huge popularity of online dating come scammers who want to take advantage of people. One of the set-in-stone rules when you search for a dating service in South America is to pick a trustworthy dating site with positive reviews.
In 2022, there were around 750 million losses due to internet and romance scams, according to the FBI. So, to avoid this, simply join a reputable dating platform, regardless of whether you are looking for casual hookups or serious relationships.
Be comfortable showing your interest in someone
I’ve noticed that Brazilians are pretty straightforward when it comes to showing that they are into someone. It’s true for both casual flings and serious intentions.
Brazilians are very confident, and they find that sexy in other people. So, even if you feel shy, fake it until you make it!
Brazilians are into PDA
A little culture trip: It’s hard not to notice how tactile most Brazilians are; that’s just a cultural thing. And that translates to relationships where people are open to kissing in public, hugging, and making out in different forms.
Public displays of affection are true both for straight and gay couples 🌈.
By the way, talking to one woman from Brazil, I was surprised to find out the degree of open-mindedness of local people. She told me that you can often hear passionate residents in the hotels, as dating couples commonly rent motels for sex. There are even special rooms that have hot tubs, mirrored ceilings, and other attributes of any sex fantasy.
Dating and marriage culture in Brazil requires the parents’ blessing
Reading my previous blocks about kissing and sex that are largely accepted in society, it’s hard to imagine requiring a parent’s blessing.
But in reality, Brazilian culture is quite family-centric. All women and men value their family and friends and have a strong sense of community.
I felt like I was at home with a person who barely knew me and his family, who welcomed me with open arms. (Thank you, Lucas, if you are reading this! 😌)
Being tight-knit with their parents and usually living together before marriage makes family a big influence on a relationship. There is a high chance that talking about meeting the family will be quite early on—not a first date, of course, but after a month or two, it is a normal thing in Brazil.
Don’t make your partner jealous unless you like a storm
During my culture trip, I wrote one thing a few times in my notes—don’t make a Brazilian woman jealous. I witnessed a fight based on some cell phone messages (not sure about that as my Portuguese is not so good, and my friend was just translating for me as fast as he could, but I didn’t need translation 😅).
You don’t want to see your Brazilian girl angry, just believe me.
With the flirtatious nature of Brazilian people, it’s quite natural that a person wants to feel a bit protective. So, be ready that all your female friends will be out of the picture.
Conclusion
My trip to Brazil was amazing and memorable. I had lived my best life exploring Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo, as well as having a date that was 10/10 of all times and turned into the next date, and… that’s going to be a story for the next time.
As with everything good, my culture trip needs to come to an end before you get tired of me rambling. I hope that my adventure inspired you to go on that Brazilian date. And don’t stop yourself in fear that an international relationship won’t work. They do. Often. So, don’t be afraid to try, mon amie!
Just choose a good online dating site and start your romantic journey full of love and passion! 🥰💗
