Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Xpartan]

It looks like Verizon has a travel pass that will work immediately I guess that's the best option because I don't want to spend too much time, also I would much appreciate suggestions as far as staying with a view of the beach. I usually book through Airbnb so I ain't suggestions would be appreciated.

I used to have a $0. 25 a minute roaming when I was with Tmobile, and I would still pick up a local SIM card. Why? Because it makes things easier for girls to text or call you. They might freak out when they see a foreign number (sure WhatsApp calls are free, but only with WiFi connection from what I understand).

For ocean views, there are quite a few listings on Airbnb, but make sure to check the photos. Just because the listing says oceanfront, it doesn't mean oceanview. If you're looking for Copacabana, your options are limited to Avenida Atlantica or some buildings in Apraodor. Also make sure it's a front, and not side oceanview. Some hosts are very creative photographers.

[Lonzof]

It looks like Verizon has a travel pass that will work immediately I guess that's the best option because I don't want to spend too much time, also I would much appreciate suggestions as far as staying with a view of the beach. I usually book through Airbnb so I ain't suggestions would be appreciated.

Experiment yourself and find out. Traveling to Brasil since 2008 and I speak Portuguese fluently so I never have issues. I always find a way. If all fails use zap in your apartment. In this forum there are only 2 experts. Read and make your own decision. Later boys.

[Kafka]

It looks like Verizon has a travel pass that will work immediately I guess that's the best option because I don't want to spend too much time, also I would much appreciate suggestions as far as staying with a view of the beach. I usually book through Airbnb so I ain't suggestions would be appreciated.

How often over a lifetime have we encountered someone who said you can't do that. Most of the time they should have said, I didn't know you could do that.

We need to separate this forum into those who speak Portuguese and know how things really work and those who don't and have years of the same one week Rio visiting experience.

If you are only going to be in Rio a week, what matters most is getting as quickly and effortlessly to why you are there in the first place. (Hint, it is not spending a day getting a SIM card).

Sperto is correct. It is just his advice does not apply to 99% of the forum members because you will encounter an employee who says you cannot do that. You don't speak Portuguese and can't argue so follow the path of least resistance.

[Exec Talent]

Had the same thing happen on a few occasions but was able to get a local to allow me to use their cpf. The sim card purchasing process in RJ changes everytime I visit. I also start with reseller or if there is a TIM store in copa or centro then I'll use them.

How often over a lifetime have we encountered someone who said you can't do that. Most of the time they should have said, I didn't know you could do that.

We need to separate this forum into those who speak Portuguese and know how things really work and those who don't and have years of the same one week Rio visiting experience.

If you are only going to be in Rio a week, what matters most is getting as quickly and effortlessly to why you are there in the first place. (Hint, it is not spending a day getting a SIM card).

Sperto is correct. It is just his advice does not apply to 99% of the forum members because you will encounter an employee who says you cannot do that. You don't speak Portuguese and can't argue so follow the path of least resistance.

[Lonzof]

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

Had the same thing happen on a few occasions but was able to get a local to allow me to use their cpf. The sim card purchasing process in RJ changes everytime I visit. I also start with reseller or if there is a TIM store in copa or centro then I'll use them.

[Vagabundo1]

So it was yesterday, Friday I guess.

Monique was over for two pernoites going into a third.

She fucked up cooking -- distracted by facebook, and taking her own picture and posting it etc, etc (see the social dilemma).

The bigger problem of course is that having a working girl over means you have a really low education, relatively stupid or at least uneducated person in your stuff.

I do have a job, and it involves downloading at least 8 hours of audio a week, digesting it, and taking action. The internet here sucks -- at all areas in Transamerica, and even at the 5 g spot down the road.

So, throw in a dumb chick who fucks up cooking fish balls because she is more interested in her likes on facebook -- on my fucking laptop and -- boom, time to leave. She also basically fucked up some cooking gear, a electric churrasco and a rice cooker, which I had to replace.

It's nice to have a few days just to myself, which I've done last night and tonight / this morning.

It's a occupational hazard of whoring -- that is spending time with dumb working girls.

She's actually a decent girl.

I am going for a new chick tomorrow, a hot Kira noir spinner from a centro terma.

I have old flames calling me for programa. So I will do those girls too. They offer up their prima's on facebook for duplas.

Whoring their relatives and friends is kind of like a handshake in Brazil.

That's why it is a great place to be a man, regardless of the friction.

So, yeah, the story ends with Monique. After the grease fire which I had to put out, I ordered the wench an uber. I gave her part of her money, like 150 r, when I was going to give her 400 if I went to the bank. But after the grease fire, I just wanted to get the wench out of my place.

She was pissed of course.

The beauty of Rio is there is another porn star quality candidate for wefuckblackgirls.com right around the corner. I need to branch out into some of the morena claras again.

My buddies from my unit gave me the callsign mudshark for a reason.

I am looking forward to meeting up with some mongers from ISG, like TrueBlue, tomorrow and in the weeks to come.

[Mamba69]

This is good advice.

Further, while you are on the map, you can sneak into the pool from the Southwest side. Just walk on the street, and hop the 3 foot fence at its lowest point. You can thus check out the talent at the pool without a bracelet. I've become adept at crashing pool parties in Barra to scan bunda.

I am paying 20 USD a night at Transamerica. As related before, my landlord, who is a decent enough guy put me through some gringo tax drama, but after I protested about wanting a bigger bed and a safe, he gave me a suite grande with a big bed and two sofas. True to form, the safe won't work, but that's Brazil.

Not only is Transamerica the best place IMHO but the 'hood is worth knowing. One would if he settled in Brazil pick a apto at the Riviera del Fiori condos (the 7 25 story buildings just East of Transamerica), where I looked at a place asking 4400 r per month (I am paying 3000 r).

Lets put it this way, the towel boy at Terma 65, who used to be the towel boy at 4 x 4 lives in Transamerica. Need I say more?

Thanks for recommendations and tips.

Arrival was a breeze.

Checked in and sitting on balcony debating who to order in before needed rest.

Taxi 88 are from airport.

Got nuts waxed and headed to Copa for special mix 90 minute at 310 R.

Wonderful.

May take a stroll to this Mabs place.

Transamerica via uber once SIM card tomorrow.

[Ptgbac]

Regarding the cambio rates, now might be the time to get some reais.

[Xpartan]

For sim cards including registration (cadastre) just go to the popular mercado / street market at Uruguiana metro. $15 reais.

Great tip, thanks!

This is good advice.

Further, while you are on the map, you can sneak into the pool from the Southwest side. Just walk on the street, and hop the 3 foot fence at its lowest point. You can thus check out the talent at the pool without a bracelet. I've become adept at crashing pool parties in Barra to scan bunda.

I am paying 20 USD a night at Transamerica. As related before, my landlord, who is a decent enough guy put me through some gringo tax drama, but after I protested about wanting a bigger bed and a safe, he gave me a suite grande with a big bed and two sofas. True to form, the safe won't work, but that's Brazil.

Not only is Transamerica the best place IMHO but the 'hood is worth knowing. One would if he settled in Brazil pick a apto at the Riviera del Fiori condos (the 7 25 story buildings just East of Transamerica), where I looked at a place asking 4400 r per month (I am paying 3000 r).

Lets put it this way, the towel boy at Terma 65, who used to be the towel boy at 4 x 4 lives in Transamerica. Need I say more?

After reading you for months, I just must check out this place when it's safe to travel. Will probably split my stay for a week in Copa and 3 days in Barra or, perhaps, the other way around. By the way, for anyone who's searching, they call it Mediterraneo Flat on Airbnb.

[Vagabundo1]

For sim cards including registration (cadastre) just go to the popular mercado / street market at Uruguiana metro. $15 reais.

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.

[Vagabundo1]

Lapa Irish Pub is a option. The address is below.

Are. Evaristo the Veiga, 147 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro. RJ, 20031-040.

I went there with a friend who get us in after hours and we had Irish Whiskey -- Jamesons -- all night.

I haven't gone there yet during normal working hours, but I think they have music events there a few nights a week.

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[Rio Bob]

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

King V. Does that Transamerica have a bar with Tv's as I'm sure some halftime hyjinx would be easy with all the talent around.

Wheels up. Cheers.

I don't really watch sports but 2 times I was at Mabs and they had the super bowl on large tv's outside. Also a real old favorite would be Lord Jim's pub in Ipanema. Occasionally youll see working girls in these places.

[Vagabundo1]

This is good advice.

Further, while you are on the map, you can sneak into the pool from the Southwest side. Just walk on the street, and hop the 3 foot fence at its lowest point. You can thus check out the talent at the pool without a bracelet. I've become adept at crashing pool parties in Barra to scan bunda.

I am paying 20 USD a night at Transamerica. As related before, my landlord, who is a decent enough guy put me through some gringo tax drama, but after I protested about wanting a bigger bed and a safe, he gave me a suite grande with a big bed and two sofas. True to form, the safe won't work, but that's Brazil.

Not only is Transamerica the best place IMHO but the 'hood is worth knowing. One would if he settled in Brazil pick a apto at the Riviera del Fiori condos (the 7 25 story buildings just East of Transamerica), where I looked at a place asking 4400 r per month (I am paying 3000 r).

Lets put it this way, the towel boy at Terma 65, who used to be the towel boy at 4 x 4 lives in Transamerica. Need I say more?

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.

[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.