Rio de Janeiro Reports

[SherlockBones]

It's not, do not waste your time and money. I found out the hard way a couple years back. Fortunately it was only a two night stay. Pestana and Rio Porto Bay are though and they are in front of the beach. If you have JW Marriott or Hilton budget those are also girl friendly.

Thank you for the heads up! I will cancel my reservation and look at either JWM or Hilton. Much appreciated!

[Exec Talent]

It always tickles me how people run around buying stuff at Duty Free when 15 times out of 10 the shit is more expensive than it would be if you buy it in town. Of course I have known this forever so I stopped by the grocery store and bought me a bottle of 51 cachaca before leaving town. It was 12 reais. When I got to the airport and looked in the Duty Free to make the comparison, the same damn bottle was 39 reais.

Most of us will find it funny that someone will even buy cheap crap to take out of the country. If prices are so good, why not take better. Sort of like buying the fake name brand polo shirts in Centro with the Made in USA labels. Anyway, 51 always gives me a headache. I think it is all the impurities (like insect parts).

[Safado69]

Anyone have experience with staying at Arena Copacabana Hotel?

I want a decent place to stay (based on positive reviews on Trip Advisor) that is in close proximity to a terma. Monte Carlo is around the corner.

Seems like a moot point to inquire as to whether Arena is visitor-friendly, right?

Perhaps I should just try my luck and see how the reception desk reacts.

It's not, do not waste your time and money. I found out the hard way a couple years back. Fortunately it was only a two night stay. Pestana and Rio Porto Bay are though and they are in front of the beach. If you have JW Marriott or Hilton budget those are also girl friendly.

[WyattEarp]

Of course I have known this forever so I stopped by the grocery store and bought me a bottle of 51 cachaca before leaving town. It was 12 reais. When I got to the airport and looked in the Duty Free to make the comparison, the same damn bottle was 39 reais.

While that is a good price for Cachaça 51, I would recommend visitors look in town for aged cachaças that cost more. I don't like to weigh down my bags with the lower priced liquors.

[Superroi]

Hi everybody,

I'm going to Rio for 1 week. Do you have suggestion about the hotel or airbnb?

Where is the best place to go?

Thank.

[Questner]

True, most Duty Free prices suck, as duty is only relevant when comparing prices; but in some cases purchases make sense, like in Singapore. So, $100 USD is more than BR $400 today. The question is where in the world would you prefer to spend $100 USD on short-time defined anyhow? You can't pay less or more, and travel costs are out of equation for the purpose of my question.

[Mr Enternational]

A buddy of mine came into town saying how he needed to go to 4X4 because he told some chick he would come see her. I am like dude if you already know the chick why do you still want to go through the middle man? He insisted though. He was going to take an Uber from Copacabana, but I told him that I should show him how to take the metro. Hell, the metro is only R4.15 ($1) and way less traffic. The train was packed and 9 stops later we were downtown. I was in a big hurry because I had to go back and head to the airport. I explained to him the other places he would find downtown with the canopies as well as the prives. I quickly took him by 81, but it was empty.

Doubled back to 4X4 and told the doorman I was only bringing my friend. I went up to the front desk and they said it was R60 to enter and I remember looking at the card where the 2nd price for a girl was R389. Jesus Christ. Out of my league! Everybody there seemed to be having the time of their lives though. Do Brazilians even go there anymore? Looked like there were only foreigners. This was at 5 pm. The lady behind the counter tried to get me to stay. I told her no thanks; this place is far too expensive for me. I then kidded her about her being rich.

The next day when I talked to my buddy he said that he had a great time there. He fucked the chick that he went to see and even found a chick there that came with him all night for R250. And he speaks zero Portuguese (but he does speak Spanish)!

[Mr Enternational]

It always tickles me how people run around buying stuff at Duty Free when 15 times out of 10 the shit is more expensive than it would be if you buy it in town. Of course I have known this forever so I stopped by the grocery store and bought me a bottle of 51 cachaca before leaving town. It was 12 reais. When I got to the airport and looked in the Duty Free to make the comparison, the same damn bottle was 39 reais.

[SherlockBones]

Anyone have experience with staying at Arena Copacabana Hotel?

I want a decent place to stay (based on positive reviews on Trip Advisor) that is in close proximity to a terma. Monte Carlo is around the corner.

Seems like a moot point to inquire as to whether Arena is visitor-friendly, right?

Perhaps I should just try my luck and see how the reception desk reacts.

[Hotrod10]

Mr Enternational thanks for your comment about my last post. In all of my stays in Rio I have never had a problem when bringing a guest to my room. I said on my recent post about Real Residence that it was visitor friendly to reassure new members that it is in face visitor friendly. If you will take a few minutes and review the last 10 or 12 page of this site and you will see many member asking that question.

[Cool]

Talking to the girl for a couple of minutes is in your best interests. With the clothes change and small talk, you can be in the room in 10 minutes after entering the terma.

They would like you to be decisive. My last trip girls did not receive drink commission so they would appreciate a programma over a redbull. I was generous with drinks my last trip. Not so much in Sampa considering the high end places were 80 R.

[Mr Enternational]

When I go to RioI always stay in COPA at an AIRBNB and rent an apartment. After 4-5 trips to RIO I just happened to end up at an airbnb apartment at a place called Real Residence Hotel, 500 ave princess Isabela. Its like 4 long blocks to the beach. Its defiantly visitor friendly. If I am there 2 weeks and bring a different girl 14 nights nothing is said and more than once I have brought in 2 girls with no problem. They don't check ID

You do realize this is 99% of the apartments that you will rent in Rio don't you? Only thing about this one is that it is pretty far from the beach. For comparison, I was going to rent one at Princesa Isabel 7 the other day. I could see the Hilton and the beach out of the window. It was 250 reais / night. I had to turn it down when they told me I would have to be out by 2 pm because another person was coming the day I was leaving. I do not usually leave until after 6. But I happened to go to the lady I normally use and get a way better apt for the usual 220 reais / day 1 block from the beach (not that it mattered since it has been raining everyday.).

[Java Man]

If why'all have been to a FKK in Germany it's the same setup where you undress and change into a robe just with a key on hand for your locker.

And that is ALL they have in common. More Bang for the Buck in Rio and NONE of the Upsell.

[Hotrod10]

When I go to RioI always stay in COPA at an AIRBNB and rent an apartment. After 4-5 trips to RIO I just happened to end up at an airbnb apartment at a place called Real Residence Hotel, 500 ave princess Isabela. Its like 4 long blocks to the beach. Its defiantly visitor friendly. If I am there 2 weeks and bring a different girl 14 nights nothing is said and more than once I have brought in 2 girls with no problem. They don't check ID but I think if instead of walking straight to the elevator if I would stop at the counter and tell the chica they need your ID they would check it. When going to RIO I go through the airbnb 2 hundred or so listing and look for an apartment at the real resident. If memory serves me right (ha that's a joke, I can't remember what I had for breakfast) I think only 1 time I have paid over $50.00 us per night. This place is big it must have at least 500 rooms. All I know for sure is it has 7 elevators. I would guess that airbnb has access to 15-20 apartments. Who knows. One thing I like about it is it has a restaurant. The food is not that great but if you wake up in the morning with the need for a little food, breakfast is about $5. 00 for all you can eat. It has a website but you will need to do a little research. Good luck.

[Frenchieboy]

Pestana Rio Atlantica.

Very nice bar and swiming pool on the top of Pestana and sometimes some very nice garotas.