Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Xpartan]

Nope.

Nope.

No need for buying your SIM card at Rio Sul or a e.g a TIM/Vivo shop. You can buy your SIM card at a reseller, Lojas Americanas, many pharmacies or from a street seller (btw the TIM/Vivo shops often are out of stock of their SIM cards and recommend you to get them somewhere else).
As said before, no need for a CPF.

If I feel lazy I buy my SIM card at Lojas Americanas and let the TIM guy/girl activate it in the store. Otherwise I just buy the SIM card and activate it when I get home by calling TIM/Vivo. If you happens to have a CPF it's very quick to activate your SIM card by calling TIM/Vivo. If you don't have a CPF (or doesn't want to give your CPF number) you'll have to speak with one of the staff, explaining that you're a tourist and have no CPF. This can be solved very smoothly by phone, or it can be time and patience wasting if you doesn't speak portuguese or are onlucky to speak with one of dumb ones (both TIM and Vivo have quite a few really dumb ones attending).

I never tried a tourist SIM card. I've just bought regular SIM card and they works just fine. Personally I prefer to use TIM in Rio. However, in some parts of Brazil TIM works very badly and you might want a VIVO.

I'm just relating my own experience.

Tried a Lojas Americanos once, and they sent me to a TIM store because they couldn't activate it without CPF. Was it because they didn't know their shit? Maybe, I don't know.

When I go to a phone store, they always ask for my passport. If I'm not mistaken, they also make a copy of it. Maybe if you're convincing enough it'll work over the phone, but it's hard to be convincing with my limited Portuguese. For most tourists using the phone shop is just easier, IMHO. I got my SIM card at Rio Sul a couple of times and one time at a standalone TIM store when I stayed in Centro. Worked without a hitch every time.

Just my $0. 02.

[The Critic]

Shenanigan's is closed (since the beginning of 2019 ?). There were a new owner and a new bar. When we went to the new bar there were almost no guests, terrible service and awful food. I can't recall if they showed any sport, but I think not.

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[Sperto]

I recall in Ipanema close to General Osrio Metro (Subway)/ Park is Shenanigan's Irish Pub Sports Bar.

Shenanigan's is closed (since the beginning of 2019 ?). There were a new owner and a new bar. When we went to the new bar there were almost no guests, terrible service and awful food. I can't recall if they showed any sport, but I think not.

[The Critic]

Any recommendations on a sports bar that has a good array of Tv's to watch USA football and the master's etc.

When you ask for recommendations it would be helpful to indicate the area your located at or interested in going to.

You may get more information from Mongers currently on the ground about other venues.

I recall in Ipanema close to General Osrio Metro (Subway)/ Park is Shenanigan's Irish Pub Sports Bar.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...e_Janeiro.html

If in Barra da Tijuca try the New York City Center (part of the BarraShopping Complex).

Beyond that I got no clue, when I go to Brazil there is only one sport I am interested in. And it doesn't involve watching TV.

I forgot....use your phone or tablet and stream from any location (hotel, restaurant, beach) with Wi-fi access or data plan. Just make sure your stream can be accessed in Rio/Brazil.

[Sperto]

You sure about that?

100% sure. I've done it on every visit to Brazil.

Note: Some TIM/Vivo staff doesn't know you don't need a CPF to activate the SIM card. If that's the case, speak with their supervisor or someone else more experienced.

[ThatDudeThere]

Can anyone recommend something in these areas. I want to hit up Transamerica, what is the nightly rate there? They seem to be juicing the price on the booking sites.

Google the location of Transamerica. Then on Airbnb do a zoom in on that location and a search for apartments. You will get many options in Transamerica that are much cheaper than booking sites. They won't name the building as Transamerica but you will recognize it from the pictures of the Pool, the building itself if included in the pics, and by the style of room.

You can find very cheap options, like 30-40 bucks a night.

[Exec Talent]

You sure about that?

I arrived on Thursday, bought a VIVO SIM card from a reseller. When I arrived at the Vivo store in Copa, there was a note in the sign in saying all foreigners need to go to the Vivo shop in Rio Sul with their passports. At the Rio Sul store, I gave the Vivo representative my sim card I bought from the reseller, he said I couldn't use that one unless I had a CPF. He sold me one in the store I didn't need a CPF for and activated my phone.

Cheers

Yeah, I always believe a merchant with an incentive to sell me something over someone who spends months at a time in Brazil, has been doing so for years and speaks Portuguese fluently.

My friends all have me buy their cars for them. Over and over again when they go themselves they are encouraged to spend thousands more, pay all the extra fees, buy add-ONS they don't need and get taken on financing. Then they ask me to see what I can do. I happen to have a special set of skills. Sperto does also. If you don't, then overpay. Regardless, we really are not talking about a lot of money, especially considering the exchange rate.

[BeenBob]

Nope.

Nope.

No need for buying your SIM card at Rio Sul or a e.g a TIM/Vivo shop. You can buy your SIM card at a reseller, Lojas Americanas, many pharmacies or from a street seller (btw the TIM/Vivo shops often are out of stock of their SIM cards and recommend you to get them somewhere else).
As said before, no need for a CPF.

You sure about that?

I arrived on Thursday, bought a VIVO SIM card from a reseller. When I arrived at the Vivo store in Copa, there was a note in the sign in saying all foreigners need to go to the Vivo shop in Rio Sul with their passports. At the Rio Sul store, I gave the Vivo representative my sim card I bought from the reseller, he said I couldn't use that one unless I had a CPF. He sold me one in the store I didn't need a CPF for and activated my phone.

Cheers

[TrueGent]

I have been in Rio for about a week but had yet to venture out as bogged down with work.

I took a trip to Club 163. This place is pretty cramped with the rooms being in partitions in a larger room. You hear every noise from neighboring partitions. I forget her name but was presented with a tiny mulato with such lovely curves. Damage was 170 for an hour. She was very enthusiastic.

Later in the day took a trip to Copa 583. This place it quite large with several big rooms with shower, massage table and double bed. I selected Miuke as she reminded me of an American actress. The bonus was she spoke good English as my Porto is not there. She gave a good massage and was pretty passionate. For 1 hour it is 130. The lineup was rather nice.

[LoveLongTime]

They gave you a ocean front balcony room on the 3rd floor? WTF? I would have marched right back downstairs and let them know I want to be on 10 or higher! That's the only reason why we would pay for a ocean front room is to have the amazing view!

As I was only staying for one night and wanted the balcony to smoke relax and fuck on it was not a concern. It might also not help I left a negative review regarding the Sky bar staff. I have already booked an airbnb for my new years weekend trip. Rio is calling again already, given the impending lockdown in USA sometime after Jan 20.

[LoveLongTime]

You do not need a CPF# as a tourist to get a SIM Card. All you need is a unlocked phone and your passport (in most cases).

You can get a SIM Card directly from respective TIM, Vivo, Claro, Oi Stores. And yes you were given correct information regarding going to Rio Sul Mall and going to respective store to get Sim Card. Rio Sul Mall has been my one stop place to get SIM Card and have Never had a problem doing so, they deal with Tourist every day. I forget one of the carriers have shops on two floors only one will process for tourist.

Unless you specifically need a Brazilian phone number (for some reason) I would search the internet, there are options to get a SIM card that works internationally (voice/text/data) and never need a local SIM. In most cases you really only need data or access to Wi-Fi because you can communicate in country via WhatsApp or other internet / Wi-Fi enabled app. Unless you know Portuguese fluently or who your speaking to speaks your respective language you will Never have a Phone-Voice conversation...

Thanks, I went to the vivo store in the center of copa. Lady told me she could not help me. I will just go to Rio Sul next time. It was nice having my new phone that isn't unlocked yet but was concerning carrying around a $1200 phone.

[FlcnHvy]

Can anyone recommend something in these areas. I want to hit up Transamerica, what is the nightly rate there? They seem to be juicing the price on the booking sites.

[Bravo]

Pestana was ok. I stayed in side balcony room first few nights. Everything was clean and worked but the balcony was tiny. Not enough room for even a chair. Amazing view from the 12th floor though. My last night I stayed in the top tier room with full balcony. It was very nice and the balcony was huge. This room was on the 3rd floor. View not as amazing but the extra room was worth it. Got BBBJ on balcony then moved to coffee table.

They gave you a ocean front balcony room on the 3rd floor? WTF? I would have marched right back downstairs and let them know I want to be on 10 or higher! That's the only reason why we would pay for a ocean front room is to have the amazing view!

[Anaggie]

If you have a dual sim phone, you can download an app called "Airalo" where you can buy country specific eSims for high speed data coverage.

I used it in Brazil last time I was there and it cost $9 USD 7 days with a 1 GB limit. You can top up once you run out and it is very easy to use.

They now have a global sim feature so you don't have to buy country specific ones.

[Sperto]

A foreigner can get a SIM card, but you need to get it from an authorized shop, not reseller. Meaning if you want a Vivo card, you have to go to a Vivo shop.

Nope.

From my experience tourist can only buy a sim card from the Rio Sul Shopping Mall. Phone shops and even the street sellers refuse to sell tourists sim cards.

Nope.

No need for buying your SIM card at Rio Sul or a e.g a TIM/Vivo shop. You can buy your SIM card at a reseller, Lojas Americanas, many pharmacies or from a street seller (btw the TIM/Vivo shops often are out of stock of their SIM cards and recommend you to get them somewhere else).
As said before, no need for a CPF.

If I feel lazy I buy my SIM card at Lojas Americanas and let the TIM guy/girl activate it in the store. Otherwise I just buy the SIM card and activate it when I get home by calling TIM/Vivo. If you happens to have a CPF it's very quick to activate your SIM card by calling TIM/Vivo. If you don't have a CPF (or doesn't want to give your CPF number) you'll have to speak with one of the staff, explaining that you're a tourist and have no CPF. This can be solved very smoothly by phone, or it can be time and patience wasting if you doesn't speak portuguese or are onlucky to speak with one of dumb ones (both TIM and Vivo have quite a few really dumb ones attending).

I never tried a tourist SIM card. I've just bought regular SIM card and they works just fine. Personally I prefer to use TIM in Rio. However, in some parts of Brazil TIM works very badly and you might want a VIVO.