A true local gem in: Bogotá

A huge and vibrant city like Bogotá (already presented here in another post) is one of those that having a local friend makes a whole difference in the way you’re going to experience the place.

Hada Luz Andrade Angel is an actress and TV host, who’s been a local friend in Bogotá since last year. Here she shares one of her favorite spost in this must-see Latin America capital:

“The food in Bogotá is amazing! I love to go out to eat typical foods like Ajiaco, Sancocho, stuffed arepa, tamal with chocolate, pan paisa, donuts, almojabanas, amongst other delights! And I also love to find the greatest variety of international food in the G area, in Usaquen, in Macarena, in Park Way, in the park of the 93, or in the Candelaria. When it comes to food, I just can’t get over it – I love it!!!

Another destination that has a special place in my heart is the lagoon of Guatavita – a very magical place, as it has a special energy, besides being a very good exercise to get there, surrounded by beautiful nature. It is an hour and a half away by car from Bogotá, and it is an unforgettable plan. 

Every time I go there, it is a completely new and refreshing experience. Knowing the history of the natives of the region, understanding why they gave gold and precious stones to the lagoon and all the other stories we learn by visiting… all that is very magical and I can’t recommend it enough!”

Do not miss the chance to have Hada as your amazing local friend in Bogotá: you can book her here >>

Boa viagem! 😉

 

A true local gem in: Rio

Rio de Janeiro is definetely a must-see stop when coming to Brazil (already presented here on this other post as well). But with so many options (and too many visitors everywhere!), is there a special local place that is not so much on the touristic track?

One of our local friends there, Mariana Zurc, tells us today about one of her favorite places in town. An actress and Drama teacher, graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), she also teaches people recipes on a Youtube Channel, Tudo Gostoso, where the viewers can see her hands preparing the most tasty stuff ever!

“Rio de Janeiro is a Marvelous City no doubts. But people usually think that the beauty consists only at the incredible beaches, forest, nature and city all mixed together. Indeed that is part of the charm – however, there are a lot of “hidden” places that are so outstanding and unfortunately not everyone gets the chance to see it. Sometimes not even the Cariocas, those who are born here, know those places!

I have my favourite place here, that is not easy to know about and not easy to go by yourself, specially if it is your first time here. It is an old palace, like a small palace, in Santa Teresa neighborhood, called The Ruins Park. The owner was a very special woman, Laurinda Santos Lobo, and she used to receive guests, such as intellectuals, morden artists, influent people from the government for balls and reunions. It was the Belle Époque Carioca (1889-1931), when everything happened there. She was ahead of her time and help to bring progress to Brazilian Woman’s Right. She received artists such as Tarsila do Amaral, Brazilian famous art painter and Villa-Lobos, Brazilian famous musician, important artists on the Modern Art Week in 1922.

Besides its history, the place is beautiful: the ruins of that old palace surrounded by nature, contemporary arts and a lot of culture. Twenty years ago it became a Cultural Centre and its ruins now is a venue for Theatre plays, Music concerts and has a lovely view from the top of the city. It is a very special and quiet place to turn off the business mode, and get in contact with nature, arts and yourself. To look outside and see how life is wonderful, and to look inside and be able to listen to yourself.

All the tourists that I take there are very charmed by the architecture. The usually ask me for a few minutes (sometimes those minutes became hours) just to stay there and absorb the peace. I love to see how pleased they are and how relax they get after visit that place.

Whenever I feel that I need a break from the rush, I go there with a book, or just me. 

Take touristis there is my way to share not only my city with them, but also a little bit of me, my essence.”

Go there: Parque das Ruínas – R. Murtinho Nobre, 169 – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
From Monday to Sundays, 8am-8pm

Do not miss the chance to have Mariana as your amazing local friend in Rio de Janeiro: you can book her here >>

Boa viagem! 😉

A true local gem in: São Paulo

A massive city like São Paulo (already presented here on this other post) surely needs a local friend to show you its special places!

Here again to show you all its gems is Kika, a ‘gringa’ herself who fell in love with São Paulo and set foot there. A local friend since 2014, she is an Interculturalist with China-Brazil focus, language professional and writer, and has a published work with a Brazilian flavour: “Sete Dias em Busca da Brasilidade” (2016). You can also check out more of her amazing work in her Understanding Brazil channel, with a deep dive into Brazilian culture; and with her YouTube playlist, where she teaches Portuguese idioms.

Today she introduces us to one of her favourite places in town:

“Dear Visitors,

It is a pleasure to introduce you to a very special bar in Vila Madalena, São Paulo, my favourite city in Brazil. And what makes this place so special are the following points:

The Galeria 540 is a container bar and there aren’t many projects like that over here. The outer space is open air, which allows people to chill under the sun in the afternoon. Also, it is a place where many families and dog-owners find their trouble-free peace.

For foreigners it is a great place to taste great artisan Brazilian beers and make new friends. People who come to this place are usually very open and start chatting with others easily. Most of the guests are Brazilians but from time to time a foreigner walks in. I have already met people from around the globe here, since you can find me there almost every weekend.

Art lovers will enjoy the wall gallery, which shows graffiti from local artists – but actually art is something you can find in every little corner there, in the toilets, on the trashcans and even in some temporary exhibitions. On Sundays you can find sometimes stands from people selling handcrafts or organic foods.

I really hope you’ll like this tip and that I can take you there, soon!

Cheers,
Kristina”

The Galeria 540 is located at the Rua Mourato Coelho, 540 and open from Wednesday-Friday (5pm-10pm), on Saturdays and Sundays (2pm – 10pm).

Do not miss the chance to have Kika as your amazing local friend in São Paulo: you can book her here >>

Boa viagem! 😉

Buenos Aires from another point of view

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and the most visited city in South America – and the second-most visited in Latin America (only behind México City). A multicultural destination and home to multiple ethnic and religious groups, it’s considered one of the most diverse Latin American cities – and the “Paris of South America”, due to its cultural lifestyle and abundance of cafes and bookshops.

Lucy is a Brazilian journalist working in Buenos Aires as a foreign correspondent to Sportv, covering Argentinian issues. She says that even after over five years living there, the city still keeps surprising her “through its architecture, cuisine, and immense culture that branches from its one-of-a-kind mix of an old Europe with Latin character”. 

Here she shares with us some of her impressions:

 

1. What makes your city unique?
Buenos Aires is one of the most interesting cities in Latin America because of its cultural and gastronomic offers.

2. Tell us about why you became a local friend.
I decided to be a local friend because I really love this city and I think is an excellent opportunity to share my experience of living here for 6 years with visitors who don’t have enough time to live this city the way I do.

3. What was your most memorable experience as a local friend?
I don’t have any favourite story – each visitor is one world and live the tour with a very specific perspective. I enjoy every one of them.

4. If you could highlight 3 awesome sights in your city, what would they be?
My favourite place in Buenos Aires is Plaza Francia, but I also like the San Telmo bohemian atmosphere and the charming French-look design of Recoleta streets.

5. Have you traveled much yourself? What have been your favorite travel experiences?
I love traveling, and I fell in love with New York and México City. I think these cities have everything I love to find when traveling: a lot of culture activities and young sympathetic and enthusiastic people.

6. If you could describe your city in one word, what would it be?
Romantic.

Do not miss the chance to have Lucy as your amazing local friend in Buenos Aires: you can book her here >>

Boa viagem! 😉