Living in Brasilia
Moving to Brasilia
Congratulations on your move to Brasilia, or BSB for short. Brasilia is a lovely city with a good quality of life and nice weather year-round. The city has a very short history--being founded only in 1960--but provides plenty of urban culture and outdoor recreation opportunities. Families living here generally enjoy the outdoors, and the warm hospitality of the Brazilian people.
Support before you arrive
Before your move, we invite you to get in touch with us so we can provide you with the resources and information that you may find interesting. UNBRALESA members also offer to talk with you over Skype (or WhatsApp, Facetime, or email, etc. ) to answer any questions you may have about your move, school choices, housing options, or work opportunities, among others. Just send us an email at unbralesa@gmail.com and let us know about your arrival so we can match you up with a member for a conversation.
Living in Brasilia
Once you are in Brasilia, UNBRALESA and other organizations offer many opportunities to get settled, learn the language, enjoy the culture, and feel at home.
Portuguese Classes
We offer free Portuguese Group Lessons, in one or two (Initial and Intermediate) levels, depending on demand. The classes are taught once a week by a certified professor of Portuguese and meet at the UN House--Complexo Sergio Vieira de Melo--or sometimes at member’s homes. If you are interested in joining, please write to us at unbralesa@gmail.com. You can join the classes any time.
Other well-known places for Portuguese lessons are:
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NEPPE the University of Brasilia Portuguese for Foreigners department. Classes are offered for several levels and in different schedules.
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Submarino: Local language school offering group and private lessons, as well as lessons by Skype.
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Natural Language Institute: Located in Asa Norte, classes offered both classroom and online learning.
Other language schools:
There’s a wide offer of language schools and private instructors of foreign languages in Brasilia. Here are some of the best-known.
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Instituto Cervantes: Spanish language and culture classes
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Casa D’Italia: offers a variety of Italian language classes plus other services such as translations, etc.
Clubs and Sports
There are countless sports clubs (Clubes) and gyms in Brasilia. We only list here a handful for easy reference.
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FitOne: near Jardim Botanico in Lago Sul
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Academia Armando Cirillo: SMDB, Lago Sul offers tennis and gym
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Club Naval: One of the largest and most complete clubs in Brasilia, Club Naval offers membership and discount opportunities to members of the diplomatic corps. This club has very good facilities, including a heated swimming-pool, tennis courts (clay and hard-top), a gymnasium, social areas, and a marina.
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Brasilia Country Club or Centro Hipico Lago Sul: if you want to go horseback riding, lessons and shows.
Useful links
Current UNBRALESA members recommend some resources for getting information on your new city. If you have trouble connecting with them, please ask us for help.
Welcome to Brasilia guide (pdf document)
Brasilia in a nutshell, information in English and in Spanish.
Living Brasilia Forum (Facebook private group)
A very active Facebook group exclusively for internationals living in Brasilia. In the forum, people share information about doctors, travel, domestic help, moving sales, hiking, and so much more. Simply “ask to join” the group on Facebook and email us so we can confirm your request with the group owner.
Curta Mais (link)
Leisure and enterteiment news and reviews, in portuguese.
Eventim (link)
Events in the city (and in the country) and tickets purchase.
Brasilia4dummies (link)
Connecting the Brasilia expat community