I was told by enough locals, including my guide, that Centro should be avoided if I was alone. My guide was willing to take me to Lapa if I left my phone at home. This didn't fill me with confidence,
This is said by locals in damn near every big city in the world. Again, never had a problem. If it is beyond your comfort level though, better safe than sorry. Here is a shot of the Cathedral that I took while walking in that area back in February late at night with my Galaxy Note. Seems pretty peaceful to me. But one man's peaceful is another man's dangerous as hell. I get that.
Centro is where Rio de Janeiro works. Every day. What you mean to say is stay away from Centro after business hours, well maybe. Even then, I stayed at a Centro hotel, walked around after dark, dined and wined and still lived to tell the tale. But OK, Centro after dark. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea.
But avoiding Centro altogether is simply dumb. Even if you don't care about cheap Centro prives and termas (you should), it's a pleasure to just walk around, there are beautiful old buildings, churches, the monastery (St. Benedict?) was the most beautiful old thing I've seen outside Europe, not much from the outside but the interiors are stunning. Walk to Lapa, climb the stairs (standalone tourist site, BTW) to Santa Teresa, a run-down but historic neighborhood on the hill, ride the tram down, get lunch in Confeteria Colombo, if just for the ambience. I mean, seriously, take an organized tour if you're that concerned about safety, but don't dismiss Centro. You haven't really been to Rio without seeing the other side.
That Rio is not a safe destination. Totally true, though. Stay alert.
As note of caution about Centro at night, this was posted in Portuguese on social media by a Carioca in reply to anther who was saying he was ASSALTADO! And 'phone stolen in Lapa.
Violence in Rio is getting worse! 15 days ago, I had the same experience at Largo the Carioca, it was a Monday night, around 21:40, I was tired and heading towards the Menezes Cortes terminal to catch my bus and return home after a long working day. But on the way, I was approached by an FDP who was therefore holding a pistol and had to hand over the cell phone I had just bought. I am using my tablet momentarily as a cell phone, but the revolt still plagues me! At least, I didn't get hurt and it was just a big scare!
For those not in the know, FDP meaning is is filho the puta or son of a *****. Its a know fact thief's the world over get busy this time of year, they need money to buy nice gifts for mom, wife and the amante (side chick).
Adding: There is a reason that Gpguia, Gparena and other local forums have Club 116 in their trash sections.
There are many trash puteiros in centro. They are fun and sometimes there are gems. Still the percentage of beautiful girls in trash puteiros is much lower than in prives.
I have to agree with Sperto here. I went to all these centro trash clubs last year and this year. The majority of the girls 80-90% are old, out of shape, past their prime hardcore pros. I got lucky last year and stumbled on two gems, one at rua alfândega, 119 and the other at rua Uruguaiana, 210. This year no luck at all. At one of the trash clubs I was literally taken hostige by an ugly fat hardcore pro negra. When I told her no, she asked me to give her R10 and when I ignored her and walked away she cused me out. Most of them have a jaded look to them like they don't care.
But avoiding Centro altogether is simply dumb. Even if you don't care about cheap Centro prives and termas (you should), it's a pleasure to just walk around, there are beautiful old buildings, churches, the monastery (St. Benedict?) was the most beautiful old thing I've seen outside Europe, not much from the outside but the interiors are stunning. Walk to Lapa, climb the stairs (standalone tourist site, BTW) to Santa Teresa, a run-down but historic neighborhood on the hill, ride the tram down, get lunch in Confeteria Colombo, if just for the ambience. I mean, seriously, take an organized tour if you're that concerned about safety, but don't dismiss Centro. You haven't really been to Rio without seeing the other side.
That Rio is not a safe destination. Totally true, though. Stay alert.
I was told by enough locals, including my guide, that Centro should be avoided if I was alone. My guide was willing to take me to Lapa if I left my phone at home. This didn't fill me with confidence, and I had no need given the plethora of clinicas and termas in Copacabana. There's so much pussy in Copacabana and the price so low thanks to the exchange rate that the only time I left is to go to Sugerloaf and the Christ statue. The risk I would take to pay $10 instead of $20 dollars, for example, didn't seem worth it to me and the termas scene (while significantly more expensive) was more to my liking.
Only one local told me he knew places in Centro that would be 150 reals or less. I don't think he even meant brothels but bars with easy women.
Interestingly, my guide insisted favelas were much safer than any other place in Rio. He was going to take me to the Michael Jackson statue. In his view favelas had enough local gang enforcement that no one would touch a tourist because it would just draw attention. I have my doubts about this.
If you manage to find doable girls at Club116, then that's just fine.
Adding: There is a reason that Gpguia, Gparena and other local forums have Club 116 in their trash sections.
There are many trash puteiros in centro. They are fun and sometimes there are gems. Still the percentage of beautiful girls in trash puteiros is much lower than in privées.
So it's been a while since I've been to RDJ - 13 years. I stopped going when the exchange rate went to $#!T. I then developed an addiction to LOS & Colombia, and I can drive to Tijuana. Thus the long gap.
But now that the Fx rate is fantastic, I'm thinking about returning because, as you all know, there's nothing quite like a garota in the sack. But from what I've been reading, a lot has changed since 2007. While I did enjoy 4 X4 and some of the escorts, my absolute favorites were the FL's from HELP. I found some diamonds in that place which made for some great memories. Therefore, is there anywhere now in Rio that can compare to Help? It seems like all of the places up Atlantico have poor quality. What I want is a place where you can drink, dance, have fun flirting with the garotas, and then take one back for a TLN. Or is this just wishful thinking? PLEASE HELP!
Good to know regaring Lux, sounds like a Mosaico for Zona Sul.
Now, tradeandtravel and I did a Paris Cafe recon, and I can't say enough good stuff about the place.
30 reais cover.
Pricing is 420 for a hour, 250 for the half.
Best talent of any terma.
The highlight is a "loira" (blonde) haired light skinned Mulata which is the look that works for me; but I also met a super hot real girl from Portugal!
As Hemingway wrote, "In Portugal, the wives are more beautiful than the mistresses" ("Death in the Afternoon".
Now, I am debating whether to go to Lux or Mosaico.
If you can hang, Club Lux, around the corner from MABS is the place to be for FL's and TLN's at a good price. I say if you can hang, because the place really starts poppin around 4 am and it is open until 7 am.
You're right on 1 point, "Try not to believe the Fake News".
If you manage to find doable girls at Club116, then that's just fine.
My question to Vagabundo was why he called the puteiro a "secret terma", when it's been around for a very long time. He gave his explanation.
This trip I stayed in the hotel at Rua the Inhuama 95 on advice from JimmyBoy99, and on previous trips had a apartment near Uruguiana for 3 months (easy walk to 4 x 4 etc).
Centro is where Rio de Janeiro works. Every day. What you mean to say is stay away from Centro after business hours, well maybe. Even then, I stayed at a Centro hotel, walked around after dark, dined and wined and still lived to tell the tale. But OK, Centro after dark. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea.
But avoiding Centro altogether is simply dumb. Even if you don't care about cheap Centro prives and termas (you should), it's a pleasure to just walk around, there are beautiful old buildings, churches, the monastery (St. Benedict?) was the most beautiful old thing I've seen outside Europe, not much from the outside but the interiors are stunning. Walk to Lapa, climb the stairs (standalone tourist site, BTW) to Santa Teresa, a run-down but historic neighborhood on the hill, ride the tram down, get lunch in Confeteria Colombo, if just for the ambience. I mean, seriously, take an organized tour if you're that concerned about safety, but don't dismiss Centro. You haven't really been to Rio without seeing the other side.
That Rio is not a safe destination. Totally true, though. Stay alert.
Truth. I was there for about a week and stayed well under budget. Just be fucking careful. Even in Copacabana I kept my eyes open and took many precautions. I don't care what anyone says about Rio, it's not a safe destination. Stay the fuck out of centro unless you know what you are doing.
Centro is where Rio de Janeiro works. Every day. What you mean to say is stay away from Centro after business hours, well maybe. Even then, I stayed at a Centro hotel, walked around after dark, dined and wined and still lived to tell the tale. But OK, Centro after dark. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea.
But avoiding Centro altogether is simply dumb. Even if you don't care about cheap Centro prives and termas (you should), it's a pleasure to just walk around, there are beautiful old buildings, churches, the monastery (St. Benedict?) was the most beautiful old thing I've seen outside Europe, not much from the outside but the interiors are stunning. Walk to Lapa, climb the stairs (standalone tourist site, BTW) to Santa Teresa, a run-down but historic neighborhood on the hill, ride the tram down, get lunch in Confeteria Colombo, if just for the ambience. I mean, seriously, take an organized tour if you're that concerned about safety, but don't dismiss Centro. You haven't really been to Rio without seeing the other side.
That Rio is not a safe destination. Totally true, though. Stay alert.
This post would be the perfect definition of Fake News and not all accurate information. There is plenty of doable ladies in the "secret Terma". There are ladies there of all flavors and desires to be had, for as low as 60 r. Then at night, it is a straight party atmosphere, with the ladies dancing, drinking, and being joyful with the men in the club. If you want to go "do" one, just take her upstairs.
Try not to believe the Fake News and negative words some people report on this board, because they don't particularly care for a certain spot. Just go see for yourself. Everything is so cheap down there and you have nothing but time!
You're right on 1 point, "Try not to believe the Fake News".
If you manage to find doable girls at Club116, then that's just fine.
My question to Vagabundo was why he called the puteiro a "secret terma", when it's been around for a very long time. He gave his explanation.
About 80 m north of Detran is Club 116, on Rua the Conceio 116. A lowend puteiro. You have to be lucky to find something doable at Club 116. If this is the "secret terma", why call it "secret"? It's been there for several decades.
This post would be the perfect definition of Fake News and not all accurate information. There is plenty of doable ladies in the "secret Terma". There are ladies there of all flavors and desires to be had, for as low as 60 r. Then at night, it is a straight party atmosphere, with the ladies dancing, drinking, and being joyful with the men in the club. If you want to go "do" one, just take her upstairs.
Try not to believe the Fake News and negative words some people report on this board, because they don't particularly care for a certain spot. Just go see for yourself. Everything is so cheap down there and you have nothing but time!