General Info

[Member #4732]

Usd now buys 25 ARG pesos. I have never been to BA. Anyone on this forum been there lately who can opine if the favorable exchange rate translates into a monger bonanza. Or have prices risen to offset the currency depreciation? Interested in opinions of those who are familiar with both Brazil and BA.

[The Cane]

For any of you mongers out there who were into him, toss one back for Anthony Bourdain tonight:

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/08/u...bit/index.html

I've been a fan of his for a very, very long time. I have no proof whatsoever that he was ever a monger, but his life was set up so perfectly well to be one! I first started watching his show on The Travel Channel when it was called "No Reservations". When he moved over to CNN with "Parts Unknown" and a much larger budget, I felt like the show lost some of its edge.

For "No Reservations", he would always lead in with the same line. I changed it to fit my mongering ways. "I travel, I eat, I drink, I fuck. And I write. And I'm hungry for more"! LOL! I would always think that for a monger "Parts Unknown" would be called "Hind Parts Unknown" HAHAHAHA!

But seriously though, he just seemed to be enjoying his life and doing what he was doing. You just never know what's going on with somebody. You think you got problems? Well, compared to somebody else. Here's you Tony! Here's to you!

TC.

[Safado69]

I know literally the translates to my cousins' house or the house of my cousins. It is also used as another term for working girl house.

Recently I was talking to GDP about BS and she mentioned that her cousin took her virginity and that is what they are for. No lie LOL.

So my question is, is this how it became synonymous with the places we all know and love? Or is this a reach?

Thanks,

Safado.

[Exec Talent]

Quite frankly it mystifies me how people who struggle composing a coherent English sentence claim to be fluent in Portuguese.

After seeing that claim time and time again, I thought it best to put together some resources for those who would like to learn.

I have lived with Brazilians who do not speak English and learned through immersion and also through self-study.

If you are serious about becoming fluent in Portuguese there are a couple of books you must own.

Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: A Practical Guide (Modern Grammars) 2nd Edition.

Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar Workbook (Modern Grammar Workbooks) 2nd Edition.

These are for the serious learner, but can be used by beginners for solid examples of proper grammar and sentence construction.

A couple of helpful sites are:

https://dictionary.reverso.net/english-portuguese/

http://www.conjuga-me.net/en/

If you are just starting out:

https://www.duolingo.com/

Will get you started.

Also take a look at:

https://www.learn-portuguese-with-rafa.com/

https://streetsmartbrazil.com/

http://braziliangringo.com/

You are going to want to read some newspapers in Portuguese.

Here is one of the best (also available in English).

https://www.folha.uol.com.br/

There is a great Text to Speech feature which can help you pronounce some of the more difficult words and also help you to get accustom to reading formal Portuguese.

Two TV broadcasts I watch regularly are O Globo News and Fantástico.

https://www.globo.com/ (main Site).

https://oglobo.globo.com/

http://g1.globo.com/fantastico/

If you search YouTube you will find channels featuring full broadcasts of both.

I have many other resources, which if I have time will list in another post. This should be a good start for beginners and anyone who actually does wish to become fluent.

[BeenBob]

There is some advice on posts #2783-2785.

Ah I see. Still the same place as 9 months ago. Will check.

Thanks.

[Nordico]

This is like the question about girl-friendly hotels. It depends on who you are and who you know.

A better formed question is I am a non-Portuguese speaking Gringo with poor negotiation skills. What is the best rate I can expect?

In which case, my recommendation is to take a walk, plan on exchanging at least $1000 and talk as little as possible. You seem to know where all the places are and rates can vary depending on individual cambio supply and demand. I know the cambios who exchange money for the hotels, apartment owners and rental agents. Also have personal relationships with individuals who exchange large amounts of currency. The rates are significantly different from what a gringo gets who visits Rio once a year for a week.

Regardless, for most people this question is hardly worth asking. Let's say you exchange $1000 and the rate is 5 centavos more, that is 50 Reais or about $13. Not really that big a deal. You will get more benefits from the walk.

If you don't feel like walking you might want to try this site. It will give you an idea of the published rates for a few places.

https://www.melhorcambio.com/

Remember you are selling Dollars (Quero vender) not buying (Quero comprar).

Some true experts, as opposed to those who think they are, have also suggested Casa Behar in Centro.

Av. Rio Branco, 45 - Loja E. Centro, Rio de Janeiro. RJ, 20090-003.

Without you getting offended as always, reread his question "Where to exchange your US $ in Rio?"

There is always a good quote for any occasion.

[WyattEarp]

Anyone who has been on the ground lately know which cambio house has the best rates? In Zona Sul that is? Last time I was there I enjoyed the one on NS de Copacabana between Bolivar and Xavier the Silveira, although later in my trip I spotted a better one more eastward near that Flamengo shop not far from Copacabana Palace. Thanks.

There is some advice on posts #2783-2785.

[Exec Talent]

Anyone who has been on the ground lately know which cambio house has the best rates? In Zona Sul that is? Last time I was there I enjoyed the one on NS de Copacabana between Bolivar and Xavier the Silveira, although later in my trip I spotted a better one more eastward near that Flamengo shop not far from Copacabana Palace. Thanks.

This is like the question about girl-friendly hotels. It depends on who you are and who you know.

A better formed question is I am a non-Portuguese speaking Gringo with poor negotiation skills. What is the best rate I can expect?

In which case, my recommendation is to take a walk, plan on exchanging at least $1000 and talk as little as possible. You seem to know where all the places are and rates can vary depending on individual cambio supply and demand. I know the cambios who exchange money for the hotels, apartment owners and rental agents. Also have personal relationships with individuals who exchange large amounts of currency. The rates are significantly different from what a gringo gets who visits Rio once a year for a week.

Regardless, for most people this question is hardly worth asking. Let's say you exchange $1000 and the rate is 5 centavos more, that is 50 Reais or about $13. Not really that big a deal. You will get more benefits from the walk.

If you don't feel like walking you might want to try this site. It will give you an idea of the published rates for a few places.

https://www.melhorcambio.com/

Remember you are selling Dollars (Quero vender) not buying (Quero comprar).

Some true experts, as opposed to those who think they are, have also suggested Casa Behar in Centro.

Av. Rio Branco, 45 - Loja E. Centro, Rio de Janeiro. RJ, 20090-003.

[BeenBob]

Anyone who has been on the ground lately know which cambio house has the best rates? In Zona Sul that is? Last time I was there I enjoyed the one on NS de Copacabana between Bolivar and Xavier the Silveira, although later in my trip I spotted a better one more eastward near that Flamengo shop not far from Copacabana Palace. Thanks.

[Eszpresszo]

Also check flights from other major cities nearby. Lisbon to SP costs more than flights from Madrid or Rome, even though flights from both of these cities transfer in Lisbon.

Thanks for your input, especially regarding the lead time for booking. Meanwhile, I was checking out skiplagged.com, which gives a good breakdown of flights based on their connections. As someone mentioned, its completely possibly to book a flight in and out of Rio, with a long layover in Sao Paolo, thus giving one an opportunity for an experience there. But, that site makes it easier to choose. And those with a longer layover in SP, are also the cheapest. So maybe one can have their cake and eat it, too.

Yes, there are some paradoxes for the prices of flights here in the US, and evidently abroad, as well. Let me give you an example. I live in Dallas, and my local international airport is DFW. When checking out prices to Bogota recently, I found the easiest and most direct was a daily flight from DFW to BOG on American Airlines, the dominant airline in the area that cuts nobody any slack. Prices are occasionally under $1000 round trip, but only by a smidgen, and usually higher. Search flights from my state capitol, Austin (AUS) and its much cheaper (sometimes close to half) though it involves a short connecting flight to DFW to connect with the very same Bogota flight I mentioned. What gives here?

Well, the explanation is totally Americentric, so pardon me if this doesn't apply to everyone reading this. But, way back in the 90's, a travel agent explained to me that flights originating from state capitols are the cheapest. The reason? Politics, plain and simple. And it still appears to be the case. So, I would advise anyone who does travel out of the US, check on flights originating from your state capitol. If its a reasonable jaunt it might be worth the inconvenience. In my case, its a matter of a $99 flight to Austin on Southwest Airlines, or a $12 ride on Megabus to Austin, plus Uber to the airport (A trip on Megabus is actually more comfortable and pleasant than riding in coach on an airplane). The savings could be significant for a little more time and inconvenience. And as for the trip back? I can always "miss" my connecting flight upon clearing customs at DFW, and take an Uber home.

[WyattEarp]

Back in the 90's, I talked to two experienced travel agents who both told me that an odd nuance of travel to South America was that the best fares were usually found at the last minute, though availability of seats was very uncertain and the traveler had to be on top of it. Whereas buying your ticket way in advance was guaranteed to get you the highest fare. Completely the opposite of travel to any other place.

But, that was before the internet disrupted the travel industry and brought yield management to your PC and your mobile device. Has anyone noticed a particular time frame when purchasing a ticket to GRU and GIG were optimum for pricing?

I'd say up until the mid-2000's it was true you could find unpublished deals. BACC Travel was one consolidator that use to have deeply discounted fares. It's worth a shot 1-800-BACCRIO.

Unfortunately, I think it's harder to find deals to Brazil. You're right about sophisticated yield management. I also see a lot of movement on frequent flyer awards. This is another way to get rid of empty seats without conditioning regular travelers to wait for deep discounts.

[Larry David]

Thanks for all the feedback from all the board members. Its good a read some mongers' perspective beyond all the glossed over media depictions and the breezy verbiage of Lonely Planet. Now my next question is, what is the best time to travel in regards to ticket prices and general conditions? I understand the weather is always warm (or hot) in Rio, but I'd be curious what months some prefer for travel. I have read that Christmas, Carnival and Easter are busy periods, but March and May are nice, if not off season when it comes to hotels and air fare.

Back in the 90's, I talked to two experienced travel agents who both told me that an odd nuance of travel to South America was that the best fares were usually found at the last minute, though availability of seats was very uncertain and the traveler had to be on top of it. Whereas buying your ticket way in advance was guaranteed to get you the highest fare. Completely the opposite of travel to any other place.

But, that was before the internet disrupted the travel industry and brought yield management to your PC and your mobile device. Has anyone noticed a particular time frame when purchasing a ticket to GRU and GIG were optimum for pricing?

Google flights will show you the best rates from different cities or regions. Best rates I've seen while procrastinating to buy are about five weeks out. If you are not in a major city, check flights to that city separately and you can lower your cost. Also check flights from other major cities nearby. Lisbon to SP costs more than flights from Madrid or Rome, even though flights from both of these cities transfer in Lisbon.

Also with Goog flights you can check flights leaving today and confirm for yourself if there are any savings.

I've not seen seasonal price drops, but I have noticed airlines offering sales from different cities. Sometimes it is cheaper through NYC. Other times it's la, or cdmx or Aruba. You can search from a city to a region, such as SP to Europe. Identify the cheapest cities from SP and then reverse it. Or in Google search type Europe to SP, and you will see a listing by cities to use as a starting point.

[Member #4563]

Hi,

Any more popular Clasificados other then vivalocal?

Thanks.

[Eszpresszo]

Thanks for all the feedback from all the board members. Its good a read some mongers' perspective beyond all the glossed over media depictions and the breezy verbiage of Lonely Planet. Now my next question is, what is the best time to travel in regards to ticket prices and general conditions? I understand the weather is always warm (or hot) in Rio, but I'd be curious what months some prefer for travel. I have read that Christmas, Carnival and Easter are busy periods, but March and May are nice, if not off season when it comes to hotels and air fare.

Back in the 90's, I talked to two experienced travel agents who both told me that an odd nuance of travel to South America was that the best fares were usually found at the last minute, though availability of seats was very uncertain and the traveler had to be on top of it. Whereas buying your ticket way in advance was guaranteed to get you the highest fare. Completely the opposite of travel to any other place.

But, that was before the internet disrupted the travel industry and brought yield management to your PC and your mobile device. Has anyone noticed a particular time frame when purchasing a ticket to GRU and GIG were optimum for pricing?

[WyattEarp]

Thanks for reaching out to the curious. As someone who has always been curious about Brazil and contemplating travel there since the early 80's, I would finally like to establish a time frame for a visit. Big factors preventing have always been high airfares (at least from my region) combined with an expensive visa (It was $50 in the early 80's which seemed outrageous, as it was a day's pay after taxes.) and other distractions (Colombia, Thailand, Bali). When you can fly to Southeast Asia for $653 round trip on a good airline, can you blame me?

That said, I have a few basic questions about Brazil that will benefit most anyone unfamiliar with the country, so forgive me if they have been asked before.

Besides the popular mongering destinations of Rio and Sao Paolo, what are the other great places to monger in? I know the two biggest cities will seem the most obvious. But as I have noticed, larger cities are of course harder to navigate without a good infrastructure that is accommodating to the visitor. Kuala Lumpur is an example of a sprawling metropolitan area that has an excellent public transport system that a moron could figure out. Rio and Sao Paolo? I don't know. When it comes to mongering, urban sprawl can be a kill joy. Also both cities are known for high levels of crime and places where the tourist has to be careful. I'd prefer not to have those risks and have to constantly look over my shoulder. Another problem with larger cities is that the residents tend to be less friendly than the provincial people (you can see this most everywhere in the world) and they don't reflect the national character all that well (Would you judge the Brits based on a visit to London, or Americans on who you met in New York or Los Angeles?

Another reason I am curious about the second-tier cities is the things I have seen written about them here and elsewhere. Belo Horizonte has been noted here as having great mongering opportunities and I've read elsewhere the women are above average in appearance. Fortaleza also has gotten accolades. But besides mongering, one needs to consider the other things about a town that make it worth visiting: cuisine, recreation, nightlife, scenery, cultural attractions, etc. At 60 years, I can't fuck all day and need something to do besides monger. Maybe I had not read up well enough on Rio and Sao Paolo, but they aren't exactly lauded for having much of those things, except maybe clubs and beaches. But, what do I know? I'm sure there are good reasons that mongers choose SP and Rio. But, I suspect part of it could be that is where their international flight lands.

Mind you, I have mongered in 11 cities in 7 nations in recent history. So, I'm not a newbie monger and I prefer new adventures over returning to destinations that are familiar. But, I would appreciate opinions about the most popular places versus those that are under appreciated.

Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Imagine if you took San Francisco and dropped it on Hawaii. A cosmopolitan bay city with tropical mountains and beaches. There is a lot to see and do. The comparisons of NYC to Sao Paulo are too simple. While Sao Paulo is a congested city like NYC, NYC has great theatre and museums. NYC is also an oceanfront city. I suppose Sao Paulo has some theatre in Portuguese.

Belo Horizonte is a fine city, but a single male might get bored outside mongering and eating. There is not much to do and see. You could take a day trip to Ouro Preto. Read the BH forum carefully, the mongering is not as prevalent as SP and RJ. While it's cheaper, it seems to be a bit downstream in quality. Many top BH girls go to SP and RJ to make money. There are some clubs with attractive locals, but without Portuguese speaking wingmen or any wingmen at all this will be a challenging environment.