Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Mr Enternational]

I'm happy if few gringos go to VM, but these warnings about going to VM is just taken out of proportion.

Well can you blame people for being afraid of how it looks? I get that nothing will happen, but at the same time I can see how those guys feel or think something will. They are the same way with Santa Fe in Bogota. They are expecting to be able to do street shit in a luxury setting, instead of in the streets.

[BobNSuzy]

Generally the women aren't friendly they don't like foreigners none will approach you to say Hi. The women aren't very attractive. On copa Ipanema beach most aren't in shape. It's not such a party town as has been reported they aren't open minded. They are a conservative bunch religious was told by a local. They form a wall around themselves don't like speaking English. The red light is nowhere to be seen you'll have to look for it no women will approach you that way or hint at it. Mabs was empty, a few guys and one pro. Lapa felt uncomfortable wasn't busy around 8 or 9 pm. Foreigners keep to themselves. Went to a patio bar beach party at night felt like an outsider.

Slummy city but generally safe. Subway metro is good. Fast food didn't get sick. More a patio resto town.

Copacabana beach is fine not too hustly is clean. Water nice but be careful is strong can pull you down by ankles. Surfing Leme side.

Everything on utube is BS.

I am just curious if I am right but I remember seeing some extravert hip hop culture people going to Rio thinking their culture must exist in Rio because Rio is multi ethnic. I am thinking of the stereotypical 1990's guy in a basketball Jersey wearing gold chains singing to rap on his head phones. It was kinda the same way with people and their marijuana culture going to Amsterdam in the 90's. They looked kinda silly in all their home country culture dependent marijuana regalia. Sorry if that is politically correct but it is a thing. Some people don't check their culture or expectations at the door when they enter another country.

[World Jockey]

I'm happy if few gringos go to VM, but these warnings about going to VM is just taken out of proportion. Maybe if somebody never travelled abroad might find it a bit scary to walk from the bus or metro station. If so, go there by taxi or metro. VM has it's own security and you'll be just safe there.

I'm boots on the ground next month. ID be down for it. Ill follow up then to see where everyone is at.

Forget Sim card. Get a esim for data from Airalo app, which you can use to call uber and whatsapp. It's 7 dollars for 1 gb 7 days.

I'm thinking the local sim is used if someone is staying a while and to get better rate responses when reaching out to girls on websites.

For a shorter trip I agree esim if your throwaway phone accepts it.

Brazilian food is great. You can have acai or natural fruit drinks on every other corner for 3 dollars. Seafood is amazing. Go to Shirley's Seafood restaurant and tell me Brazilian food sucks. Pizza is really good when cooked in real oven, not electric oven.

You know what food sucks? Phillipines. I've had it in America and it's awful. Max's restaurants should all be bankrupt. Jollibee other than their spicy chicken is a horror show. Worst food ever. I can go on and on.

Adds Shirley's to the list.

And yes food in the Philippines had me questioning my and their taste buds.

[Sperto]

If so, go there by taxi or metro.

Sorry, taxi ot Uber.

[World Jockey]

Without wanting to spark the great VM debate, there's enough to do on your first trip without the need to visit. If you're alone, don't bother, if with other first timers don't bother. Only visit if you have access to someone who has been before (I may be being overcautious). See how you feel in Centro first.

Get used to the metro system, it's safe and great to use.

I'll be back for a few months in November, looking forward to it already.

Nice tip. I'm sure there is a ton of eye candy on that metro too.

And yeah the way vm is described I would not go without a wingman.

BTW, the food is good. Another poster said it was bad but I don't think he has been in Brazil to compare it to Colombia. I just pick a few on top of my head that are close by that you can checkout while in Centro. Opus, Confeitaria Colombo, and Zanetti Grill. Zanetti Grill is a place with buffet style setting and is priced by weight. They are many around Centro. All I have tried are good.

Good deal I will look out for those.

Unless its from the pacific coast I find Colombian food to be pretty horrid also tbh. I usually stick for foreign food when there.

Slightly off topic for this forum but the best food I've had in Latin America has been Peru and Mexico. Actually Mexico has some of the best food hands down IMO.

[World Jockey]

Thanks LL thanks a good tip. They always know and probably don't want their customers getting jacked. Even the marginal buyers.

I remember seeing yellow and white cabs. You will see vehicles marked clearly as taxi waiting in front of 4 x4, but if you are not sure I suggest asking the 4 x4 security / door man to help you identify legitimate taxis.

[Sperto]

Without wanting to spark the great VM debate, there's enough to do on your first trip without the need to visit. If you're alone, don't bother, if with other first timers don't bother. Only visit if you have access to someone who has been before (I may be being overcautious).

I'm happy if few gringos go to VM, but these warnings about going to VM is just taken out of proportion. Maybe if somebody never travelled abroad might find it a bit scary to walk from the bus or metro station. If so, go there by taxi or metro. VM has it's own security and you'll be just safe there.

[Explorer69]

Generally the women aren't friendly they don't like foreigners none will approach you to say Hi. The women aren't very attractive. On copa Ipanema beach most aren't in shape. It's not such a party town as has been reported they aren't open minded. They are a conservative bunch religious was told by a local. They form a wall around themselves don't like speaking English. The red light is nowhere to be seen you'll have to look for it no women will approach you that way or hint at it. Mabs was empty, a few guys and one pro. Lapa felt uncomfortable wasn't busy around 8 or 9 pm. Foreigners keep to themselves. Went to a patio bar beach party at night felt like an outsider.

Slummy city but generally safe. Subway metro is good. Fast food didn't get sick. More a patio resto town.

Copacabana beach is fine not too hustly is clean. Water nice but be careful is strong can pull you down by ankles. Surfing Leme side.

Everything on utube is BS.

Has the thought been in your mind that you did something extremely wrong? Hahaha!

[TjBrazil]

I'll add a couple being a relative newbie to Brazil.

Learn as much Porto as possible, very few girls will speak English.

Get a SIM card, not as simple as it should be.

Download Portuguese on Google translate, download Rio on Google maps (so you can use without the internet).

Without wanting to spark the great VM debate, there's enough to do on your first trip without the need to visit. If you're alone, don't bother, if with other first timers don't bother. Only visit if you have access to someone who has been before (I may be being overcautious). See how you feel in Centro first.

Get used to the metro system, it's safe and great to use.

I'll be back for a few months in November, looking forward to it already.

Forget Sim card. Get a esim for data from Airalo app, which you can use to call uber and whatsapp. It's 7 dollars for 1 gb 7 days.

[TjBrazil]

Brazilian food is great. You can have acai or natural fruit drinks on every other corner for 3 dollars. Seafood is amazing. Go to Shirley's Seafood restaurant and tell me Brazilian food sucks. Pizza is really good when cooked in real oven, not electric oven.

You know what food sucks? Phillipines. I've had it in America and it's awful. Max's restaurants should all be bankrupt. Jollibee other than their spicy chicken is a horror show. Worst food ever. I can go on and on.

[Jingo10]

Learn a little porto.

Try VM if even just to say I came, I saw even if I do not concuer.
.

I'll add a couple being a relative newbie to Brazil.

Learn as much Porto as possible, very few girls will speak English.

Get a SIM card, not as simple as it should be.

Download Portuguese on Google translate, download Rio on Google maps (so you can use without the internet).

Without wanting to spark the great VM debate, there's enough to do on your first trip without the need to visit. If you're alone, don't bother, if with other first timers don't bother. Only visit if you have access to someone who has been before (I may be being overcautious). See how you feel in Centro first.

Get used to the metro system, it's safe and great to use.

I'll be back for a few months in November, looking forward to it already.

[The Cane]

LOL.

Did you expect to get blown by a super model the second your foot touched rio soil?

You still have to look presentable, have some game and have the money for her to ignore all that.

Seems like you get no respect. No respect. I bet your mother didn't breastfeed you because she saw you more as a friend!

I'll be coming to town in 2 weeks and I'll enjoy this overrated BS slummy city as usual.

The story of his life. He never gets none! LOL!

https://youtu.be/ZCVR_ajL_Eo?si=ML53zeDsQ6fRlwm4

[UniversalX]

Has anyone checked out Ofervo 74 Whiskeria it looks like a new Terma? If so, please provide a report.

Rua da Quitanda, 74 - Centro - RJ (Monday-Friday).

For those with Instagram accounts search for 74whiskeriaoficial.

Or.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwqe2SGAN8y/

(Reposted due to autocorrect changing the address from "da" to the).

[Vagabundo1]

These are good pants, along with most of the stuff at Decathlon.

https://www.decathlon.com.br/bermuda...ha-travel100/p

[Nounce]

.... Someone mentioned that if uber screws you with a cancellation there are tons of taxies outside every terma. Is this the case? ...

I only remember 4 x4 has taxi outside. The robbery thing is a percentage. It's not 100% and it's not 0%. If you are going to any of the trash termas in centro, then you are taking a risk for the same reason. I walked around late at night. It was fine but that does not mean it is safe.

BTW, the food is good. Another poster said it was bad but I don't think he has been in Brazil to compare it to Colombia. I just pick a few on top of my head that are close by that you can checkout while in Centro. Opus, Confeitaria Colombo, and Zanetti Grill. Zanetti Grill is a place with buffet style setting and is priced by weight. They are many around Centro. All I have tried are good.