Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Java Man]

T-Mobile, best carrier for international travel, travel without roaming fees. The plans gives you unlimited 2 G data at no extra cost. Calls to local calls are 25 cents / min. Unlimited texting too. You can get faster data speeds but its $5/ day. I'll get local sim for Data / internet when I need faster Data speed, as its cheaper. Works in over 210 countries. They've added a new change to their TOS: "Not for extended international use; you must reside in the US and primary usage must occur on our US network. Device must register on our US network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming. " I'm currently stuck outside the US due to the Corona. I'm mostly connected to a local wifi, so I should be ok.

[Mamba69]

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.



Better options there are......

Thanks gents for clarifying and setting me straight on the cell phone set up options and you are correct in that all I really need is WiFi to access that Whatsapp, maps, and Google translate to order in pizza hut, I mean Punta Pie to room.

Appreciate the hotel info.

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.

[The Cane]

Thanks to those of you who took the time to correct and clarify incorrect information, versus just saying that something written here was wrong, and then leaving it at that. That doesn't help or serve anybody (I know something you don't).

[UniversalX]

In Brazil you must have a consumer # to get a cell plan. You will need a local or someone generous enough to let them use their cpf #. I asked at several places in copa no luck. I was advised to go to mall in Botofogo, Rio sul mall or something to that effect.

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.

.....decided to just pay AT&T $10 a day for international roaming plan. Same plan as at home, was connected to vivo most of the time.

Better options there are......

[ThatDudeThere]

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. That was my experience early this year.

You can get this type of info from TA or just Google searching.

This is correct. I arrived to Rio 3 days ago, asked the hotel reception how to get a SIM card and they directed me to the Sul mol, I went to Tim and they gave me a sim without any issue.

[Jingo10]

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. That was my experience early this year.

You can get this type of info from TA or just Google searching.

[Xpartan]

In Brazil you must have a consumer # to get a cell plan. You will need a local or someone generous enough to let them use their cpf #. I asked at several places in copa no luck. I was advised to go to mall in Botofogo, Rio sul mall or something to that effect, but decided to just pay AT&T $10 a day for international roaming plan. Same plan as at home, was connected to vivo most of the time.

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. Same with Tim or Claro. For Rio it doesn't really matter, but I once found myself in Lensois Maranhenses with a Tim card. Never had a single bar. That's a Vivo country, and no way to get a SIM card from resellers without a CPF number.

[Sperto]

In Brazil you must have a consumer # to get a cell plan. You will need a local or someone generous enough to let them use their cpf #.

Incorrect information.
I noticed there are a lot of misinformation given the last months in the forum, propably because of all the newbies who are tring out Brazil. It's a good idea to do a forum search if you're unsure about an issue.

[FlcnHvy]

In Brazil you must have a consumer # to get a cell plan. You will need a local or someone generous enough to let them use their cpf #. I asked at several places in copa no luck. I was advised to go to mall in Botofogo, Rio sul mall or something to that effect, but decided to just pay AT&T $10 a day for international roaming plan. Same plan as at home, was connected to vivo most of the time.

Bought Sim Card from anywhere (lojas, some pharmacies etc.). It doesn't work, you need to activate it. You do that by going to the Claro Store. There is one in Ipanema road at are. Visc. De Pirajá, 217. Any types of these shops will do it for ya. It took 2 minutes once inside this office, after waiting about 10 min outside (covid capacity).

Anyhow, it's very simple, did not need CPF etc. Only passport (or I think ID).

FH.

[LoveLongTime]

Will post once on the ground soon and have a cell plan established.

P.S. Has that Pestana been refurbished or still cheap but worth a stop to look at balcony rooms if any gents have stayed recently.

Cheers.

In Brazil you must have a consumer # to get a cell plan. You will need a local or someone generous enough to let them use their cpf #. I asked at several places in copa no luck. I was advised to go to mall in Botofogo, Rio sul mall or something to that effect, but decided to just pay AT&T $10 a day for international roaming plan. Same plan as at home, was connected to vivo most of the time.

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. LOL her choice. The safety box in my second room did not work but I usually hide things of importance around the room in different places when I stay at a place with no safety box so it was not an issue. They only took girls ID once out of the 3 or 4 so nights I took one back. It was rather late and security guy looked bored.

[LoveLongTime]

Re: tipping. Look, you're right, it's your money, so who gives a fuck how you spend it, right? But here is the thing. Folks who criticize you for spending "too much" couldn't care less about your budget. We care about ours. Today a GDP got a huge tip from a gold-hearted gringo -- tomorrow, not only will she expect these kinds of tips from other gringos, but she also broadcasts that to her GDP network. Now every girl thinks that goldhearted gringos dispensing generous tips is the new normal. That idea you might've put in her head doesn't do any good to anyone, including you if you intend to frequent this destination.

One thing you shouldn't do is treat Rio like any other big city. Rio is more dangerous than Bangkok or American cities, and that's no joke. I've never been a victim of a crime during my many visits (other than from shitbird mafia), but you must be extremely careful in Rio streets. One seriously shouldn't go into deserted small streets after dark and should take cabs / Uber anywhere, even for very short trips. Talk to the locals and they'll tell you plenty of horror stories. Not that I've never violated these very rules myself, but better safe than sorry.

I can appreciate others worrying about tipping high as a trend. I even felt the jealousy of other girls at the terma which I am sure they found out about my generosity. I do intend to return this year, part of my intention was to set myself up for success next visit. I was laying the groundwork for more good experiences. I do not care what the ladies expect, they will get what I feel they deserve. A good example, a friend I told the story to and he felt I should share here is my experience at club 583. The lady I took became frustrated I would not "suck her pussy". She proceeded to hold my head on her nipple while she masturbated. Her pussy was breathing and sounded like darth vader. And when she came she screamed like an Amazon warrior dispatching their last enemy. I was not into her enough for a second round and did not care to "suck her pussy". I left before my time was up and no tip. Not a bad experience just not a highlight.

As a young man in Miami in the late 80's through early 2000's, I am well aware of dangerous cities. It was the murder capital of the world for a while when I lived there. If I remember correctly. My best friend lived less than a mile from the dadeland mall. Where many were massacred to kill one person. I have been mugged, shot at, attacked with a knife. While I understand Rio is dangerous I was implying the same. Not many cities in the world is it safe to walk down a dark alley alone. I walked the main thorough fares at night but not too late. I also received a message from a whatsapp contact saying she had been mugged and asking to meet with me. I declined not sure of her intentions. I would recommend uber as it is incredibly inexpensive and convenient. I went from one end of copa to the other for less than 6 reais when it was not busy. Walking around at night is one of my favorite things to do in new places. I am willing to accept the risk associated with such activities as anyone that does this should also. In Cebu I walked from Ayala to Mango at 11 at night. And ventured around the back streets of Colon at a fairly late hour. I took a motorcycle taxi to the Fairtex stadium in Pattaya, the mototaxi driver was nervous but I guess I don't care enough to worry. Adventure has its risks but I have been rewarded more times than I have been punished for venturing off the beaten path. Anyway take care.

[Mamba69]

Headed for my first trip to Brasil this Friday for a much needed break. * Like many I am a refugee from Asia and missing my normal treatment for my yellow fever so here is hoping that maybe the Brazilian ass may cure my affliction. *.

My plan is to do 5 nights in Rio then 4 nights in SP since I am flying in and out of SP. * For Rio staying at the JW Marriott due to my credits and status so will get a suite and lounge access for the base room price. From the forum it seemed that guests weren't a problem there, but I wonder if covid has had any change in that, anyone with recent info?

For Rio given I am a first timer and my portuguese is mostly from time in macau I was planning on mostly termas (monte carlo, centarurus,solarium) and dip my toes in some escorts and maybe a prive. * Having RTFF I was going to stay away from PA and had these sites tagged for higher success rates: riovips, barravipescort, hotside, barravipsrio, and acompanhantesipanema. * Definitely need to fill my asian void with a few of the japanese girls while in town as well but not much on the better sites so may have to wait until SP.

If any of this should be eliminated please let me know. * Also if anyone is visiting and wants to do some joint hunting send me a PM. * I can certainly share information on Asia and Thailand though I don't know when it's going to be useful again.

Thanks to all the great information and reports on the thread, it's much appreciated. * Reports to follow.

Great plan Micheal and I will be arriving this weekend as well and need to figure out this bitcoin membership stuff to contact wingman like yourself and King V.

I will be staying a few nights Hilton then planning to go in person to JW, Pestana and Transamerica to chose something for the remaining 3 weeks.

My MO is diverse like Thai daily agenda as I want to try everything, especially Centro privesor massagens during day while hitting the termas in evenings and ultimately arranging DSD's (Dark Skin Doubles) for back at hotel.

Really want to check King V's Transamerica out as a place to chill poolside and point and click poonannie as there seems to be a robust talent pool in Barra.

Got to bring King V some hooch for all his contributions!

Will post once on the ground soon and have a cell plan established.

P.S. Has that Pestana been refurbished or still cheap but worth a stop to look at balcony rooms if any gents have stayed recently.

Cheers.

[LoveLongTime]

I've mongered in all these cities including Miami and many others. I was surprised about Miami because I cannot recall it being mentioned anywhere on ISG as a ranking mongering destination. I have mongered in Miami and NYC and do prefer Miami for quality (looks and service wise) and quantity. However, NYC is my home city and am more familiar with it. Pattaya is the ultimate monger destination but I rank a city according to destination more than just for mongering. Pattaya ranks highly for ease of mongering but low on other factors such as the quality of the girls and things to do in the city. Rio ranks higher for quality of girls (I'm mindful of beauty being in the eye of the beholder) and things to do so I will rank Rio higher. I also rank Bangkok above Pattaya for similar reasons, but lower than Rio although I will accept that this is debatable. I will add here that my number one destination by far is Frankfurt. The quality of the girls is superb and it is a wonderful city.

I only added Miami because this forum is international and there is something for everyone there if the budget allows. The accommodations are top notch. Some of the best nightlife in the world. Numerous things to do. What more can one ask for really? Other than better value.

[LoveLongTime]

In my opinion is "way over top"-tipping with the "I-do-what-it's-my-money" attitude after asking for advise and got guidance, from people who done the work, a bit like shitting all over them.

I appreciate your input, as I have stated repeatedly I only tipped those that went above and beyond. I tipped those that discussed things with me about the lockdown they had and the effects. Tourist numbers are way down. Everyone on my flight down and back had a full row to themselves. As far as shitting on anyone I asked advice from no one. I RTFF for guidance yes but am also contributing as much as I can. As I do when I venture out and report on my local forum. I apologize if I offended you. Tips are like experiences ymmv. The ladies surely understand the same. If not and you feel it's your place to put them in line feel free to do so. Thanks, have a good day.

[Questner]

Whose "thesis" is that? Really the decline of the BRL vs USD is 100% about oil prices. BRL, RUB, CAD, MXP all declined vs USD with fall in oil prices. Currencies from countries with few oil reserves JPY, EUR remain stable.

The proof is in the pudding. Now you can see the chart, here https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?f...to=BRL&view=1W.

BRL has strengthened against USD following the elections.