Bem-vindos!

Just a decade ago, hearing Portuguese in South Florida was a curiosity. What was that language that sounded like Spanish, French and Italian all rolled into one? Soon, locals began to identify the hoardes of tourists in matching t-shirts buying up downtown Miami as the newest ingredient in the Miami mix. The Brazilian community has now added its unique flavor to the S Florida melting pot and we are all luckier for it.

It is estimated that the United States is home to nearly half a million Brazilians, with two of the largest communities here in Florida: the Dade, Broward, Palm Beach area and the area in and around Orlando. The Florida communities continue to grow as the climate and palm trees are natural magnets for all tropical people. The Miami area is also a bustling center for international business and commerce, which has attracted some of Brazil's largest companies to set up offices here. Many Brazilians are only part-time residents, but so many have come to set down roots that savvy establishments have begun catering to the Brazilian market here, allowing everyone in South Florida to experience the best the Brazilian culture has to offer.

Brazil's first and most prevalent export to Miami was the music. Old Bossa Nova is a perennial favorite of restaurants and jazz clubs. New dance crazes hit the Bayside Marketplace continuously and Brazilian artists have performed at venues throughout the area. Still, as captivating as it is, it would be a shame to equate Brazilian culture with the music. You'd be missing so much more.

There are many resources right here in S Florida to help you become acquainted with the land of samba, Romero Britto, caipirinhas and tangas. Click on your area of interest to find out where and go give them a try. Tchau!

*This information is constantly changing. Please notify us if you have anything to add/delete or change.

University of Miami Psychology Annex 221
5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Coral Gables FL 33124
(305) 284-1760
(305) 284-4795 (fax)
bpearson@miami.edu