Exploring Brazil With An Insider's Perspective

Hello again, everyone!

This month, I will update you on our beachfront developments, share some exclusive “last chance” investment opportunities, and highlight some amazing cultural aspects of this vibrant country that I look forward to calling home again sometime soon.

Whether you're a seasoned investor, simply exploring the potential of Brazil's coastal real estate market or are just curious about what type of lifestyle Brazil could offer you, you’re in the right place.

So, with that, let’s get right into it! 

Culture Spotlight - The Joy of Forró

Forró is more than just music - it’s the rhythm of Brazil’s Northeast. This lively dance and music style is a cultural staple in regions like Canoa Quebrada. Undoubtedly, if you are one of the savvy people reading this who decides to purchase a turn-key rental unit at one of our developments, Forró will make up a piece of your experience should you decide to visit Brazil.

Originating from the rural areas of Brazil's Northeast, Forró is a genre that blends European folk music with African rhythms. The dance is typically performed in pairs, with a close embrace and simple yet lively steps. 

 Whether you’re a seasoned dancer who likes to hit the dancefloor or more of a quiet observer who prefers to sit back and admire the moves of others, when Forró is in the air, there won’t be a long face in sight.

Local clubs and dance halls are known to host Forró nights, where the atmosphere is electric, and the spirit of togetherness is palpable. It’s a fantastic way to connect with the local culture and meet new people. The people are so inviting in Brazil that if you attend one of these events, don’t be surprised if a Portuguese-speaking local tries their hardest to get you to join in!

Some of you reading this may have joined me at my birthday party in Panama last March, and for those who remember, dancing may be in my bloodline after all. With zero biases (obviously), my daughter represented the Thorup name well by winning the dance-off we had! 

By the way, this year, my birthday party won’t be on the beach in Panama… we have something much different planned. I won’t say too much about it here, but if you want to hang out with other like-minded, well-to-do families, you should subscribe to the Expat Money newsletter here to stay up-to-date with all the exciting things we have planned for the amazing community we have built there.

Announcement! We have Launched A New Facebook Group!

Digital Nomads Brazil - Nômades Digitais Brasil - by Expat Money

Welcome to the ultimate gathering place for digital nomads and expats in Brazil! This group is dedicated to helping you live your best life overseas, whether you're already established in Brazil or just starting your journey. Inside this group, you'll find a supportive community where you can connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and access valuable resources tailored to the digital nomad and expat lifestyle. 

Join us and become part of a thriving community that values freedom, adventure, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life abroad. Welcome to Digital Nomads Brazil - your new home away from home! Join the group right now by clicking here!

Deal of the Week: Last Chance Offer!

Earlier this week, I had a strategy meeting with my partners at Impar. I won’t get too deep into what we discussed, but I will share this: the newsletter seems to be an absolute hit, and I owe it all to those of you who tune in twice monthly to read about my perspective on Brazil.

When we decided to launch this newsletter, we had no idea whether or not you guys would find it valuable…. I think it is safe to say we underestimated your appetite for Brazil. In fact, as of now, there is ZERO inventory remaining at any of our completed developments and nearly ZERO inventory available at any of the pre-construction developments we have been offering over the past couple of years. 

 We are literally down to the last two remaining beachfront condos in our exclusive development, “The Reserve.” I have spoken extensively about “The Reserve” over the past few months, so I will instead provide a quick overview of the development features and what it takes to secure one of the last two remaining units: 

Strategic Location: Located just minutes from Canoa Quebrada, these condos provide direct beachfront access with full, unobstructed ocean views.

Turn-key Ready: For an additional $10,000, each condo can be equipped with a full furniture, appliance, and A/C package.

Investment Perks: Hands-off rental management services, ensuring a steady income stream from your investment.

Cash Purchase: $67,000 per unit (ask about a discount if you want to take both remaining units)!  

Financed Purchase Price: $79,000; 25% down, with the balance being payable over 24 months.

 While it’s true we have some exciting developments planned for the coming months, at this point, if you’d like to own your own cash-flowing and appreciating rental unit, the quickest path to doing so would be to purchase one of the remaining units I have just spoken about above! If you act quickly, you won’t miss out. 

If you have been reading this newsletter for some time now and have been waiting for the perfect time to learn more, that time is right now. You can get in touch with my partners at Impar by sending an email to expat@beachfrontoffers.com right now!

Brazil… & Beyond

If it isn’t already abundantly clear, Brazil is one of my, if not my favourite, countries to live in. I have spent many months living in Brazil, and although Panama is my home base, I envision a time when I will be moving back here with my family to spend at least a few months. 

It won’t be this year, though. I’ve already got a ton of upcoming travel plans. Just this past weekend, I was meeting with partners in a Central American Country for a potential partnership, and as I write this, I am literally repacking my bags (and getting my family ready) to head out to Eastern Europe for the next six weeks.

I feel so fortunate about this and don’t overlook how amazing it is that I will get to show my children the world while I am travelling around, meeting potential partners and other Plan-B service providers in specific destinations that I expect to become increasingly desirable locations for freedom-orientated people to implement their own Plan-Bs or complete offshore relocation plans. 

Over the coming weeks, I plan to update the Expat Money community about my travels throughout Eastern Europe. If you’d like to hear about my trip as it happens, I encourage you to subscribe to this newsletter here!

Brazil, the Brazilian Way

When I asked my Brazilian team to tell me about a unique Brazilian festival close to their hearts (and one that isn’t Carnival), they told me about São João, a celebration that I’m told truly captures the spirit of Brazil’s rich culture.

São João, or Festa Junina, is a beloved festival celebrated throughout June and is deeply rooted in Catholic traditions that honour Saints Anthony, John, and Peter. It’s a time when the country comes together to celebrate the harvest and the beauty of rural life.

The festival is marked by lively folk dances during which festivalgoers dress in traditional attire and dance the night away under the sparkle of fireworks in the sky.   

Traditional foods are also a big part of the celebrations. Many of these dishes, like "canjica" (a creamy corn pudding with cinnamon) and "munguzá" (a sweet corn soup with milk, sugar, cloves, and cinnamon), are the favourites, according to my Brazilian staff members at Expat Money. I can’t recall whether or not I have tried any of these before, but you can be sure that the next time I am in Brazil, I will go out of my way to ensure I do.

Festa Junina is especially popular in the Northeast. Some regions even declare holidays for the occasion. I’ve been told that attending a Festa Junina is an experience unlike any other. The streets come alive with food stalls, music, and a welcoming atmosphere, and even schools get involved by organizing special dances for the children. 

One thing that struck me as I learned about São João is how this type of celebration has declined in many Western countries.

Parades and festivals, which once brought communities together, seem to have been replaced by protests and a growing sense of division in the places where many of us reading this live. For me, this is a reminder of the importance of preserving traditions that bring people together in celebration rather than apart. 

Client Construction Updates: On Track & On Schedule

We understand the importance of keeping you informed about the progress of your investment property and have made an effort to make sure those of you who have already purchased an investment property from us are kept closely in the loop regarding the development status.

This month, we're pleased to share updates from the Palm Bay Beach Villas development.

So, we’re continuing to focus on the development's essential infrastructure elements. Electricity connections are complete, streetlights are installed, and water and sewerage systems are fully operational. With this, we are confidently on schedule for the on-time delivery. 

Come November or December, you can expect to see dramatic, transformative progress. It is in the final six months of construction that the site really comes to life and begins to take shape as a residential community.

I can’t stress how often clients have been worried that progress is slow and that their rental unit will not be delivered on time as planned. The most time-consuming and complex parts of building these developments are in the infrastructure phases.

That said, to those of you reading this eagerly awaiting the day when you can begin reaping the benefits of owning your offshore, cash-flowing investment property, everything is coming along as planned, and before you know it, your property will be complete, delivered, and ready to be placed into the turn-key rental program! 

A Taste of…. America?

In Brazil, the growing consumption of fast food has caught my attention, especially considering the abundance of high-quality, locally-owned restaurants that seem to be on every street corner.

I find it puzzling why anyone would opt for a Big Mac when you can enjoy a gourmet, hormone-free burger from a mom-and-pop-style shop for just a little more. Sure, the appeal of fast food lies in its convenience, but with delivery apps becoming so widely used, it seems like an easy choice to go for quality over speed… I mean, why settle for a quick fix when you can have a meal made with care and delivered right to your door for almost the same price?  

Despite my feelings towards “fast food,” I consider it a good indicator that Brazil has embraced all the "American" staples. The presence of major American fast-food chains across the nation is vast. For example, McDonald’s has over 1,000 locations in Brazil alone, with other chains like Burger King, Subway, KFC, Domino's, Starbucks, and Popeyes all having a strong and growing presence.

But here's the thing—while it's comforting to know that you can easily find these “American delicacies” in Brazil, it's worth considering the alternatives. The rise of delivery apps has made it easy to order from local establishments that offer more than just a quick bite. So the next time you find yourself in Brazil craving a burger, why not support a local business that prides itself on quality ingredients and care in every bite? After all, convenience is great, but when you can have both convenience and quality, it’s a no-brainer in my books. 

Wrap Up! 

 Well, that’s going to do it for me, folks. I’ve got a flight to catch later this evening, and I can still hear my wife and children scrambling to get things together and organized before we head to the airport. So, as much as I’d like to continue writing, I will have to call it quits here.

I thank you again (yes, you) for being part of our growing community of expats, aspiring expats and global investors alike. 

I hope this edition of the Brazil Beachfront newsletter has provided you with some new valuable insights, exciting opportunities, and, above all, a deeper appreciation for all that Brazil has to offer!