Sao Paulo, Brazil
Karen & Guilherme, 30
see her Sao Paulo city guide

a bit about Karen & Guilherme

What do you do and why do you do it?

We are both Economists. Karen works with educational policies and Gui is a professor and consultant. We are very enthusiastic about researching, learning new things and proposing improvements to our country (and maybe beyond).


Karen: when I was an undergrad student I was very excited about my new internship in the research department of a international consultancy group but then I found out they wanted me to be more like a call center person and it sucked because I hate talking on the phone (with uninteresting people). Gui: when I was an undergrad student I had a boss who couldn't listen to other people's opinion so it didnt take long for me to tell him to go to hell and walk away.

Were you born and raised in Sau Paulo? If not, where did you grow up and what brought you to Sau Paulo?

We are both "paulistanos" all the way!

What’s your current hood in Sau Paulo and what’s the best/worst thing about it?

We live in the Baixo Augusta area and we think it is definitely the best spot in town. We like it so much because it never sleeps, you get everything within walking distances and it is in the center of the city's cultural scene. An issue is that parking in not easy; many times friends have had trouble visiting by car.


We listen to indie and classic rock; jazz; MPB; samba; pop; reggae. We dislike forró (but only because we can't dance...).


It is a hard life (Queen) and Ordinary World (Duran Duran)


The Simpsons (such bright critiques) and Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum (a classic from our childhood).

Name some spots in Sau Paulo that are good for a Tinder date.

Our favourite bar, Barão da Itararé - it is good for pretty much any ocasion :)


Donald Trump (above all for being so misogynistic).

Who’s your hero and where in Sau Paulo would you take them out for a serious hang?

We don't have someone we consider our hero at the moment... any suggestion? :)

Where do you buy those fabulous clothes of yours?

We are definitely not big on shopping but anywhere with a fair price and without brand names stamped is fine.


Vila Olimpia (too mainstream and vacuous)


Biking... we do it sometimes but way less than desired.

Where do you go in Sau Paulo for a casual night out?

Any bar around the corner.

Where would you go in Sau Paulo to celebrate some freaking good news?


What’s your choice of transportation in Sau Paulo and why?

Subway and Uber

What are the Sau Paulo spots a first-time visitor can’t miss?

Good restaurants and night clubs.

What are the Sau Paulo spots tourists should run from screaming?

Shopping centers

Tomorrow’s your last day in Sau Paulo. How do you spend it?

Biking downtown mindful of all the awesome historical sights.

What’s your favorite vacation city in the world and why?

Barcelona... because of its atmosphere.