Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Hotrod10]

My last trip to RIO was cut short by a family issue that I was forced to return early to take care of. I'm hoping I can return in about 2 months. I will try to use AIRBNB and stay near Copa. In each of my reports I have talked up MABS. In my 2 RIO trips I think I have brought 5 chicas from MABS back to my apartment. 2 were outstanding 1 was just ok and 2 could of been better. The 2 great chicas didn't ask for money up front, the others all wanted and one demanded payment up front. Don't relent. If they want money up front that should ring a bell that its time to start thinking with the big head, not the little head.

Many members have told me that there are great places near COPA that have way better talent than Mabs. I would like to check other places out but RTFR can be a little confusing. People like me need help like 1- I don't care how far I need to go for a good bordello but if it's close to COPA that would be better. 2- I would prefer a place where I can suck on a beer while a chica plays with old spike trying to convince me she is the one. 3- I travel on a budget. I don't like old fat sweaty hos but in a pinch a little sweat is somewhat acceptable. I think you get the picture. Any help would be appreciated.

[MichaelSchoefs]

Arrived Friday around 23 h00 at my apptm at Copacabana literally 1 min from Mabs. I took a taxi and went straight to Mosaico. About 25 girls and 5 really pretty. I was taken by surprise because when I was ready to pick one the nice ones all suddenly were taken. So I went home around 03 h. Checked out Mabs, there was only 1 table with people and 2 GDP left. 1 nice in blue but she left as I arrived. The guy from Mabs told me to go to Kaiscade or something 1 block further (2 min). Never heard of the place but strange that there is not yet a report about this. Entrance is 50 reais but for 40 reais drinks included. 1 Budweiser cost 15 reais. Now this place is exactly the same as mosaico but bit fancier and better looking girls. They grab you as well and put their ass on your dick dancing funk at any time you give them a smile. I took a girl downstairs for 30 min for 200 reais. Really really good girl. CIM. But since my apptm is only 2 minutes away I will try to take one home for 250/ hour today.

Girls at Mosaico have to leave their phone upstairs and they have to stay until closing time around 06 h. Not much change of taking one home before.

Tonight I think going to Mabs, if anyone is up for a chat would be nice to meet there. I'm not a paying member so has to be here.

[Hotrod10]

In Brazil I have used my debit card for almost everything. I need reals for taxis and girls that I take to my apartment. The fact that I have not had a problem really doesn't mean much On my next trip someone could steal my CC number and have a ball. For the convenience of using my debit card I'm willing to take that chance. Most people would not do that and that's ok. Now in Uruguay if you use your debit or CC to pay a bill for a meal or rent a car, the computer will automatically deduct the VAT tax. If your cafe bill is 50. Oo US that's like 10 bucks savings. Thats a guess I really can't remember. In Brazil some time ATM are hard to find and they do charge a big fee to use. My bank doesn't help with this and I thought about opening an account with a bank that will repay the service charges but then again is it really worth the trouble. Just my opinion.

[Balboa]

1) I don't pay stupid bank fee to my bank.

2) when I bring Yen (Japanese Currency) to Rio de Janeiro, the rate is more interesting, I receive more than the daily rate shown on www.xe.com.

Ok, just don't understand the term "interesting" that you use.

Must be a language barrier thing.

Of course I understand that you mean "more economical".

Thanks!

[GringoItaliano]

I am planning a trip to RJ and have been doing my RTFF research on this thread. I plan to focus in large part on the termas, and I noticed that some termas allow customers to pay with credit cards. I would like to hear different opinions as to whether or not you recommend paying with cards.

The advantage for me is that it could enable me to reduce the amount of cash that I would carry and still be able to pay potentially large bills, given the prices of sessions at some of the termas. Given the risk of muggings in RJ, I would be more comfortable carrying less cash. With that said, I might want to carry enough cash with me anyway, in the event that the transactions fail. Give the high levels of cyber crime in Brazil, I would not be surprised if my banks decline the transactions, despite my travel notification to them, and I wonder if they would consider the termas suspicious vendors. Has anyone had issues with declined transactions at termas in particular, but not at other vendors in Brazil?.

Everybody, thank you for your prompt and helpful responses. Given your below feedback, I will probably pay in cash. Since I would probably be taking a taxi or an Uber directly to and from my hotel and the termas anyway, I imagine that carrying larger amounts of cash would pose a low risk in that case. Are taxi robberies a problem in RJ, as they are in Medellin and elsewhere in Colombia?

I presume that my cash, along with my clothes and other belongings, would go in those lockers at the termas, to which they give you the key. Has anyone ever heard of money or other belongings being stolen from those lockers at the termas? I presume that the key that they give you is not the only key for that given locker.

The other obstacle to paying with cash is daily ATM withdrawal limits. Are the daily ATM withdrawal limits in Brazil low, as they often are in Colombia, or are they higher to reflect the higher costs there? Would it be better to bring cash and exchange it? Is there anywhere in Copacabana that exchanges USD at a good rate?

[Komo753]

Why is paying cash more interesting?

1) I don't pay stupid bank fee to my bank.

2) when I bring Yen (Japanese Currency) to Rio de Janeiro, the rate is more interesting, I receive more than the daily rate shown on www.xe.com.

[Balboa]

I use a password when I make a payment, I've never had any trouble with my card in Brazil, I still prefer to use cash over card because it is more interesting and you don't pay any fee, for me it is better to bring cash from my country and change in the most interesting change agency. Cash is more interesting and just use your card if you have no more cash from your country and all the banks are closed, there is no 24 h ATM next to where you are.

Why is paying cash more interesting?

[Traceur]

In recent inquiries I made of hotels in Rio the Marriott, the Pestana and Atlantico Copacabana are girl friendly.

Rio Lancester at Copa cabana right on the beach and 5 min walk from Mabs.

Slaverio lifestyle at lapa.

Stayed here a few months back. No issues in getting girls back to my room.

[Komo753]

I'll third. In most cases, do not use a credit card in Brazil. There are too many skim scams. It's OK at top end hotels and restaurants, but that's about it. In Brazil, cash is king! And I say this about my favorite place to travel to. Just be smart about it.

I use a password when I make a payment, I've never had any trouble with my card in Brazil, I still prefer to use cash over card because it is more interesting and you don't pay any fee, for me it is better to bring cash from my country and change in the most interesting change agency. Cash is more interesting and just use your card if you have no more cash from your country and all the banks are closed, there is no 24 h ATM next to where you are.

[Ee2002]

Done EVER use your credit card in Brazil! NEVER!

I respect the opinions of the other members who said never, so I'm just going to talk about my experience. I have been going to Rio for over 15 years and have used a credit card at numerous termas, prives, restaurants, stores, hotel, etc, and have never experienced any problems using my credit card. I usually designate a credit card that I rarely use specifically for my trips. I always notify the CC company and advise them of my travel plans with the dates. Sometimes they will send me a notification after my first transaction and then I have to respond within a certain amount of time before they freeze it. I think they froze it once, some years ago because I either didn't notify them beforehand or I didn't respond promptly to the notification. Same with ATM card, I have a travel acct that I use for the trips for withdrawals. I stopped using my main bank acct over a decade ago.

Anyways that's my 2 cents. You got to do what ever you feel comfortable with. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself with this post, LOL. Good luck.

[The Cane]

Done EVER use your credit card in Brazil! NEVER!

I'll third. In most cases, do not use a credit card in Brazil. There are too many skim scams. It's OK at top end hotels and restaurants, but that's about it. In Brazil, cash is king! And I say this about my favorite place to travel to. Just be smart about it.

[Traceur]

I am planning a trip to RJ and have been doing my RTFF research on this thread. I plan to focus in large part on the termas, and I noticed that some termas allow customers to pay with credit cards. I would like to hear different opinions as to whether or not you recommend paying with cards.

The advantage for me is that it could enable me to reduce the amount of cash that I would carry and still be able to pay potentially large bills, given the prices of sessions at some of the termas. Given the risk of muggings in RJ, I would be more comfortable carrying less cash. With that said, I might want to carry enough cash with me anyway, in the event that the transactions fail. Give the high levels of cyber crime in Brazil, I would not be surprised if my banks decline the transactions, despite my travel notification to them, and I wonder if they would consider the termas suspicious vendors. Has anyone had issues with declined transactions at termas in particular, but not at other vendors in Brazil?

I know from my day job that the theft and fraudulent use of credit card information is rampant in Brazil, via both corrupt employees and outside hackers. I found many references to this problem in Trip Advisor reviews of the lodging options that I considered. Has anyone that used their cards at termas later observed suspicious transactions from sources other than the termas on their cards?

Some of the posts that I read suggested that there might have been some slight padding of the bills at some termas, but that this slight padding was obvious from a review of the bill before paying it with one's card. Have you seen any outrageously large and unexpected fraudulent charges on your cards from the termas, as might happen at some strip clubs in New York or Las Vegas?

I understand that there may be a surcharge for paying with a card, which I might be willing to pay if it gives me greater peace of mind by enabling me to carry less cash. However, I would certainly not be willing to pay this surcharge for the privilege of fraudulent charges and getting my card frozen.

I am single and do not have to worry about explaining the charges on my card to a wife or anyone else.

Try forex travel cards. That way your primary account is safe. Distribute the money you are carrying on a couple of these cards. So in case a cyber theft occurs the damage is limited to that card only.

[Hotrod10]

I have been a reader and report filler at ISG for maybe 10 years can't remember but I think my first use was of this site was for slovakia. This site made the difference for my search for P4 P. I was traveling all over europe maybe once a year. I didn't have a laptop so I would print out the last 100 post for the city I was going to. Things have changed. Now, and for the last 6-7 years I only rent an apartment from AIRBNB. I retired and divorced in 2009 and I go to south america 3-4-or5 times a year. Most of the research I do for a new city is using ISG, looking for an area to spend time in while looking for safe areas close by with AIRBNb apartments, that I can afford. For me this is a big part of the excitement of traveling. I have spent alot of time in Buenos Aires. It was difficult for me, an american, to get a Brazil visa. Now that I have a visa and 2 trips to Brazil under my belt all I can say is WOW. I really love this place.

On this last trip I prepaid for 2 weeks thru AIRBNB at an apartment hotel. I think that's what its called. I don't remember the name but the address was Avenue Princesa Isabel 500. I rented this thru AIRBNB for 2 weeks and my total cost worked out to us $52.00 per day. This is the most I have ever paid for an apartment but it had all the things I like. 24 hour doorman, 1 bedroom, A beautiful balcony were I would have coffee in the morning and vodka tonic at night. My apartment was cleaned every day, you change your own linen. I brought 3 chica back to my room and all I did was wave to the person working the counter. They could care less. This place also has a restaurant. Crappy food. But its handy to buy water or a soda or coffee to take back to the room.

People have different opinions on things like using a CC card or never use a CC, never consider a street walker or I like street walkers. This is what makes the world go round. I don't like to use a bordello but that's just me. I Like to bring a chica back to my room and if I smell penus on her breath I give her a toothbrush and say please brush your last client off your breath. You can't do that at a bordello.

Someone asked for my most recent hotel. I hope this answers your question.

[Bravo]

I am planning a trip to RJ and have been doing my RTFF research on this thread. I plan to focus in large part on the termas, and I noticed that some termas allow customers to pay with credit cards. I would like to hear different opinions as to whether or not you recommend paying with cards.

e.

Done EVER use your credit card in Brazil! NEVER!

[FuckAfMedDig]

I am planning a trip to RJ and have been doing my RTFF research on this thread. I plan to focus in large part on the termas, and I noticed that some termas allow customers to pay with credit cards. I would like to hear different opinions as to whether or not you recommend paying with cards.

The advantage for me is that it could enable me to reduce the amount of cash that I would carry and still be able to pay potentially large bills, given the prices of sessions at some of the termas. Given the risk of muggings in RJ, I would be more comfortable carrying less cash. With that said, I might want to carry enough cash with me anyway, in the event that the transactions fail. Give the high levels of cyber crime in Brazil, I would not be surprised if my banks decline the transactions, despite my travel notification to them, and I wonder if they would consider the termas suspicious vendors. Has anyone had issues with declined transactions at termas in particular, but not at other vendors in Brazil?

I know from my day job that the theft and fraudulent use of credit card information is rampant in Brazil, via both corrupt employees and outside hackers. I found many references to this problem in Trip Advisor reviews of the lodging options that I considered. Has anyone that used their cards at termas later observed suspicious transactions from sources other than the termas on their cards?

Some of the posts that I read suggested that there might have been some slight padding of the bills at some termas, but that this slight padding was obvious from a review of the bill before paying it with one's card. Have you seen any outrageously large and unexpected fraudulent charges on your cards from the termas, as might happen at some strip clubs in New York or Las Vegas?

I understand that there may be a surcharge for paying with a card, which I might be willing to pay if it gives me greater peace of mind by enabling me to carry less cash. However, I would certainly not be willing to pay this surcharge for the privilege of fraudulent charges and getting my card frozen.

I am single and do not have to worry about explaining the charges on my card to a wife or anyone else.

I have been to Rio 20+ times and I never carry my cards on me anywhere. I bring cash I need for the day end of. There is a surcharge on CC in termas -usually 10% + or more.

I wouldn't risk paying with cards in Brazil just at random places. The biggest scam place turned out to be Shopping Leblon! Loool Exclusive shopping center in the richest part of town.

You have been warned.