LGBT: São Paulo

If the exuberance of the gay scene in Rio de Janeiro is a little too much for you to handle, São Paulo might be an excellent alternative.

The city has become pretty welcoming over the past few years to LGBT men and women and now hosts one of the largest annual gay pride parades in the world. More than 3 million people are estimated to attend each year and they won the Guinness Book of World Records in 2006 for being the world’s biggest gay pride celebration.

The Jardin Paulista district is lined with numerous shops catering to gay men and women along with cocktail lounges and restaurants. São Paulo has a fairly active club scene, but there’s a more laid-back atmosphere than Rio.

If you’re looking for a party, visit La Loca; it’s one of the biggest gay clubs in the world, thanks in part to the fact they have a new DJ every single night. It also hosts a diverse list of partiers, and everyone here gets along.

Just make sure to avoid the saunas. They do tend to have a reputation in São Paulo for hosting questionable activities. For a great meal in a gay-friendly restaurant, check out Spot. It’s high-end, and the place everyone in São Paulo who wants to be seen spends their evening.