2003 General Reports

[Ceylon1]

'Oui

Finger printing is NOT going to stop me from tasting the pleasures of the Brasilian Garotas !!!.

Ceylon1 (WorldTraveller aka Charles)

[Sterling V]

I'll be landing in Rio the morning of the 2nd. I'll post here if I'm fingerprinted. Although, knowing how Brazilians are with puncuality, I'd expect Jan. 1st to happen around March 15th.

Sterling

[CaptainNemo]

Any U.S. Citizen who goes to Brazil in January please reports the situation. Is there going to be a seperate line for U.S. Citizens? Does it affect the people from other countries?

CNN News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A Brazilian judge furious at U.S. plans to fingerprint and photograph Brazilians entering the United States has ordered Brazil to do the same to U.S. citizens, police said on Tuesday.

The order, set to go into effect on January 1, came after a government office filed a complaint in federal court over the U.S. measure aimed at millions of foreign travelers.

[Trippleecks]

Zidaho, I was talking to Kenn from EZ-RioRentals.com about the same thing. I think Kenn gave me some pretty good information since he has been renting apartments in Copa. for over 3 years. I live here in Rio., but I still wanted Kenn's input. We even looked at a few in Copa. prices seemed to be between 200-250,000.reais for something nice. What did you decide?

Without a resident card you will only be allowed to stay in Brazil for 6 months a year.

As for re-sale you should not have to worry too much about that. Brazilians can get mortgages. You should be able to cash out if you needed to sell your apartment.

As for renting it. I don't think that you should count on renting it out for the entire 6 months you will not be living there. I guess your ability to rent it would depend on what months you would be living there. If you live in it for the summer, High Tourist Season, then you would be renting it out only during the winter, Low Tourist Season. I doubt if you can rent it out for more than 30% of the Low Tourist Season, maybe 8 weeks total. I would not count on the rent for 8 weeks (200reais a night x 7 nights = 1,400reais a week) alone to pay all your costs. Taxes, Condo Fees, Utilities etc.
1,400reais x 8 weeks = 11,200reais a year. That would not even be enough to cover your Loan in the USA much less the other expenses.

[Zidaho]

I was talking with Hakan (Hogan) Ollson of Rioapartments.com about buying a 2 bedroom apartment in Copa. We estimated cost to be about 70K US for a nice property that I could rent out 6-9 months a year. It should cash flow, if I do a Home Equity Line of Credit on my house with the current prime rate of 4% and having it in RENTED out about half the time. I would prefer to LIVE further south Ipanema, or Leblon but the short term rental market is not as strong further from Copa. Though the appreciation in value is not as good in Copa, as further south either, I believe it may be realistic to expect 4-5% appreciation per year in Copa. The biggest issue is resale because unless I can find a buyer with cash, which may be hard to do here in Brazil then it could be difficult. I wonder if there is a web site that has Brazil properties For Sale By Owner??? Any input on this would be much appreciated. My understanding is that US citizens may only spend up to 6 months per year in Brazil, then must return. Another issue I believe is getting the money into a Brazilian bank, I´m not sure if the funds must be seasoned here for a few months prior to purchase or not.

[Testure]

Frajola!

Just got home from a trip in Brazil (Sao Paulo, Fortaleza, Rio d. J., Natal, Manaus etc) and as it was also my first one I think we are on somewhat the same level. And I might add that I am also blond, young and have blue eyes...

Anayway! Natal was a disappointment for me. It is ok if you are after beachlife and like hanging around a lot of tourists, but if you are after hooking up with Brazilians I found it hard.

Fortaleza is better in that sense, although it also has a lot of toruists. But girls are easier to find, but not if you are after blonds and blue-eyed girls. You should try to learn some basic words in Portuguese and you will get more out of the time together. Sure, you would be able to understand each other for sex anyway, but it is more fun with more social possiblities. As I said, Fortaleza is known to have a lot of girls around. I would guess most of them are semi-pros. But I just found very few attractive ones and the selection is better in Rio and Sao Paulo. Foreign language skills are also more common there.

Personally I never did any anal sex with any of the girls I stayed with (probably around 30-40 during two and a half months), but some of them would suggest it. But the same girls could later add that anal sex is very good, but only for the guy, so I don't had the feeling there is no pressure to do that. But at least the possibility is there...

Have a good time on your trip and happy hunting!

[Frajola]

Hey guys,

Is my first time here and I spent the last days reading the posts to try to learn something. I’m going to Brazil for business for 10 days in January; it’s going to be my first trip outside America. I’m going to Fortaleza and Natal and I’m interested in hooking up with white, blond girls, blue eyes if possible. From what I’ve seen most Brazilian girls are dark, is that right?

I know no Portuguese at al, is that a problem or the girls can speak English? I’m looking for semi or no-pros, how easy it is to hook up with them? I’m young and good looking, very foreign look-like (that means blond and blue eyes), is that an advantage or not?

Also, I read on web that all Brazilian girls are crazy about anal, is that true? Is that implied when you take a girl to bed? I also like DFK very much and it seems it’s common practice in Brazil, am I right?

One last question… I read some of your guys saying you paid a girl to be GFE… what does that mean? I know it means girl-friend, but what does that mean? It’s like renting a girl for a weekend or a couple of days and pretends she’s my GF? I never heard this term before.

Thanks a lot.

[Leo]

Centarius will do everything in their power to rip you off (see past posts) - better to go to Luomo, 4x4, Solarium, MC... see past posts.

[Tall Drink #2]

To #1310,

So it's your first time to Rio, good thing! Have a great time! As it goes for the Hard Rock Cafe thing, it's cool if your into hearing a lot of U2 and Michael Jackson. Not to say that it's all bad, BUT a club is a club is a club, no matter where you are. Sure you might get lucky, but only if your a good talker or wearing real nice watch and a nice pair of shoes. The good thing is that most brazillian women are responsive. In other words you'll know if she does or doesn't like you very quickly.

But if what your really looking for is a good time, out try "Bed? or Beds?" I forget. But just ask for the club that has a bunch of beds instead if seats. it's not to far from Ipanema. It's a cool place. Just be sure you take enough money. What they do is give you a card with a little scanner thing on it and scan it everytime you buy a drink. At the end of the night, while your walking out, you settle up at the door. You'll find two very big guys at the exit who look like they could really kick butt. In fact I think that they do the same at the Hard Rock.

But as it goes for fun, try that "Beds" place. Local girls are a bit stuck up but very fun when you get to know them. Just one thing you got to remember while going to these clubs: they are mainly for locals, it's their turf, not yours. So be nice. If you like a girl and her boyfriend tells you to bug off, leave. Simple There's always Help and Barbarellas. Your there to have a good time, not a bad one.

Take care

Don't forget to visit "Centarius." Pricey, but very nice.

[Juddo]

Who has the best deal from Europe to fly to Brasil? From Germany, Italy, or France?

Thanks

[Leo]

Dan,

Basically, it's about the same in all S. American countries:

ATM is the cheapest, espcially when you max your per withdrawl amount. Visa/MC for transacations (not advances) is next best, unless your bank (if a US bank) puts a 3% implicit fee in your FX (Visa/MC has a 1% fee, some banks add 2%). With such a 3% fee, T-checks become equal, better, or worse, depending on the fees/FX for exchange. Cash advances are the last choice.

[Rabo Verde]

DAN One thing you are in for is Malaria and/or Dengue fever. OUCH! Take lots of bug spray and light long sleeve clothes.

[Sperto]

DanDaMan,

You have a very long journey on riverboats ahead of you, before you reach Belém.

For money, use your VISA-card. Better than traveller's checks.

On your journey to Belém you can make stops at Manaus and Santarém.

My best advice is: don't miss Remulus in Manaus!

[Kenn]

Ok, what the hell are some of you guys thinking????

I was just told that there is an American man here in Rio, (most of you know him) that is talking some of you into buying apartments here in Rio as rentals. That much I can understand and actually encourage.
This guy is graciously offering to manage the apartments for you and he’s taking 50% of all the rental fees he collects….. I can’t understand why, when others are only asking 25-30%. The contract he is getting some of you to sign ….. (Now this is the part that floored me), after 10 years the ownership of the apartment actually reverts to HIM…

What the hell are some of you thinking!!!!!!!! If you are interested in buying an apartment in Rio and renting it out you CAN MAKE A BETTER DEAL WITH JUST ABOUT ANYONE......

[Nasty Que]

The apartment provided by Bobby at Blame it On Rio was nice. $50 USD with a beautiful view of the ocean. Right next to Meia Pataca. The only problem was that one night the electricity went out but was restored within a couple of hours.