2003 Rio de Janeiro Reports

[GrabInBuns]

Has anyone been to the HaziendaVip Club? I am curious if it is worth checking out.

[Grshel1]

I feel an obligation to make a disparing comment or two about Help disco in Rio. With the holiday influx of Americans, Friday and Saturday night was packed...wall to wall people. Men looking for women, women looking for men, and even a few married or dating couples (surprised me too).
Sunday night I made the mistake of going in at 11:15. The place was almost empty of people. The air was rank, horrid, choking to breathe. I admit the far left bar has had a putrid smell for months and the small fans do nothing to slow the growth of mildew and mold. This time the entire place had the dank, fungal odors wasping from the beer soaked carpet, the fetid smell of spilled drinks mixed with the must of decomposing organic material challenged the senses. On top of this was the smell of minimal cleaning fluids, of polish and oil, and ever so faint a trace of cheap female perfume and male cologne. Added to the admixture of sicking odors was the occasional wisp of ammoniac, perspirant smells of the less than sanitary restrooms and the half hearted attempt to mask the stench with moth balls.
Alas, I stayed to finish my drink. The crowd began to arrive. I obtained a second drink (I had bought two chits upon arrival). The arriving crowd brought in new odors of freshly scrubbed ladies and gentlemen (I use the terms loosely) with their perfumes and colognes, the circulation of air as the air conditioners were hard pressed and working overtime, the renewal of the faux chase, all served to clear the fetid air if not clean the air. Perhaps my olfactory nerves were burning out, perhaps my desire for female companionship was overwhelming my intial revolt, perhaps the intoxication of seeing so many beautiful women clouded my thinking, perhaps the second drink was the key. Add to the crowd the heavy, repeating beat of the loud music, the sexual explicit gyrations of a multitude of Brazilian ladies, each shaking her shapely buttocks in a come hither manner, my head felt light as carnal dreams danced in my mind. Yes, this is Help for all its largeness, unabashed sexual overtones, promises of sexual pleasures (however brief), and the eternal fountain of youth for us old fart Americans that find our way inside.
Life is good!

[Java Man]

Npaul:
i got my visa over a year ago. my passport with the visa expired this year. i got a new passport. i take both passports with me. i show the visa on the expired passport upon entry into brazil. and they stamp my current passport.

[Hojo]

Hello Npaul,

A visa is easy to get. It took about a week and a half to get mine, without rushing it. I did this two months ago. They do charge a $10 processing fee so the visa cost will be $110 total.

I also included a self addressed stamped envelope to hurry the process a little. I sent them a USPS Priority Mail envelope with the postage. When you buy this postage, make sure you tell the Postal Worker you will be using it as a self address stamped envelope. She said it makes a difference.

Also, depending on your location in the USA, you will have to send your application to your states designated office. Make sure the Miami office is your designated office. Go to this site to find your office:

http://www.braziltourism.org/visas.shtml

A note on the Miami office: It seems they only take calls in English between 4:00 and 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time. During this time I spoke to a person with very poor English Skills. Maybe you'll do better.

You do have to have a airline ticket purchased. I sent in a copy of my e-ticket and that was all they needed.

You'll probably be better off getting a new passport. There is a requirement on how many months left on your passport for you to get the visa, but I can't remember how much. Your visa is also good for 5 years, so might as well get all 5 years out of it with a new passport.

For the rest of the information for filling out a tourist visa:

http://www.brasilemb.org/consular_vitem1.shtml

Additionaly if you read this site, it requires you to get vaccinations if you have traveled to certain countries in the past few months.

Pop till you drop,
Hojo

[Rio Bob]

Niteroi

"Since you're very familiar with the RJ scene Sperto: Do you know of any good places near Rio, like in Niteroi? (I'm adventurous, and though I do like Help, the Rio thermas, and even part of the SW scene, it would be great to experience something new, if you know what I mean)."

Im no expert on Niteroi but my Portuguese teacher is from Niteroi and I just asked her this week what is the best way to get back and forth to Niteroi if you wanted to do things there. Well they have the ferry of course but if you are thinking of going to a club late at night then you would have to take a taxi on both sides and on the Niteroi side there may not be as many taxis available as on the Rio beach side and I think the ferry dock is in Botofago. The best way to commute to and from Niteroi is by car either renting a car or a taxi which could get costly.

She also told me they have great beaches there which could be another experience outside of Copacabana.

Niteroi interest me too but I too have not figured out the logistics on how to get back and forth to Copacabana.

Another option is Barra de Tijuca which I think is easier to get to but then many people on this site has experienced Barra especially Nuth and other clubs like that and the reviews have been less than sterling.

When Im in Rio and I will be there next week I always try a couple of nights to go to non pro clubs first to test the waters. Before the night gets too late if I don't see anything promising I make it to Help for the last call. Its the best of both worlds, first you give it the old college try and then you go for the sure thing. I do end up with the sure thing on most nights but I have experienced that as my Portuguese progresses I am having more scores in the non pro world in Rio.

Next week I plan several nights in non pro clubs especially on the weekend but if I have no fish on the hook by 1 am I will be on my way to 3432 Ave. Atlantica Praia de Copacabana, RJ, Brasil.

Tchau e Boa Sorte.

[Ngp477]

Would like to go to Rio, but need to get a visa. I read from the Brazil consulate web page that it costs $100. A friend told me that it is good for a long time, correct?

Do they issue the visa on a page in your passport? Unfortunately my passport will expire in 11 months and only has a few pages left anyway. Should I apply for a new passport and then apply for the Brasil visa?

My friend also says you need an airplane ticket and hotel reservation before you can apply for the visa. Is this correct?

I appreciate any advice you guys have on the visa topic.

I hear the passport has to be sent to Miami and it takes two days to have the visa approved.

[Rio Bob]

Chingon,

I have been to Buzios several times in recent years and my first time there was in 1985. It is basically a place to bring your girlfriend but recently I went alone and met a woman that I believed had worked in Help in the past but I turned her down as she was not up too my standards. And last year I went with a girlfriend and met many available women there, go figure.

There is a bar in the center of town as you first walk into town on Rua das Pedras which is Buzios Centro. This place hops and I don't rememebr the name of it. But I was sitting there with my Brazilian girlfriend and we were meeting many people from all over the world. I spoke to a nice older Brazilian woman who worked in town in a shop but she invited me to her house on the beach. I didn't go because I was already with someone. She did point out 3 other women at the bar who were looking for men and Im sure looking for payment of course.

Buzios is 110 miles north east of Rio, I have gone by taxi and it has taken 2 hours each way. Taxi is about 80 - 100 dollars each way. Check out www.buziosonline.com for a list of hotel(pousadas). Last time I stayed at Collana Park and Bobby from blame it on Rio made the res for me and got me a great price, better that I could get by calling myself.

During the high season their summer, January to after Carnival the town is packed with tourists from all over the world be it Europe and middle class Brazilians all young beautiful and non pros except for a few exceptions. You can go there and take a chance in the clubs on your own for a non pro or hope to me a pro (very few but not impossuble) or you can take a girl you met in Help with you because they love to go there. Last year when I got back from Buzios with my non pro girlfriend my pro girlfriend's inside Help asked me where I had been, I told them Buzios and they said to me why didn't you take me, so I will next time.

Buzios has many Pousadas and about 22 different beaches which are all very different and some small and some big but everybody goes to Centro for happy hour and for dinner and late night partying. During the day everybody hangs on the beach and most beaches have restaurants with tables and chairs right on the sand with waiter service, its a great place.

There is a bus as Grshel1 mentioned below and it is cheap but takes a little longer and you pick it up at the Rio bus station Rodoviario and it drops you off in Buzios but not in front of your hotel.

Hotel prices vary but next time I will look into staying in Centro rather than at the beach so I can crawl home at night. Take a look at Brigitras guesthouse or Pousada Sol.

[Java Man]

Grshel1
i'm interested in visiting Buzios. a little more info please:
how long did you stay there? how were the accomodations and how much did they cost? did you use one of the local travel agencies or did you just wing it? did you go during the week or weekend and how crowded was it? any nitelife in buzios? i'm planning on returning in mid january.
thanks in advance

[Sperto]

Charly,

It's a good idea to always bring a copy of your passport with you in Brazil.

Good places near Rio? I'm not so found of the cities close to Rio. I prefer to head to to the north-east. You might enjoy a trip to Buzios, even though the city doesn't offer any spectacular adventures.

[Charly]

Thanks again Sperto! You're really an excellent source of information on the Rio board!

I learned about that ID thing some time ago I believe in O Globo. Anyway: I'll leave my PP in the hotel safe. I normally carry a photo copy of my PP with me anytime anyway when I am outside the US.

I'll definitely check out VM! I'll take a taxi and I guess it should be no problem to flag one down on my way back to Copacabana.
I'll definitively post my experiences here.

Since you're very familiar with the RJ scene Sperto: Do you know of any good places near Rio, like in Niteroi? (I'm adventurous, and though I do like Help, the Rio thermas, and even part of the SW scene, it would be great to experience something new, if you know what I mean).

Hope to hearing from you soon again - same place!

Obrigado, Carlos Carlinscos

[Grshel1]

RIO – Day 6 – 9

Spring time in Rio means clouds, wind and rain. A couple of days were really hot, over 95, last night was long sleeve shirt weather. I finally got out of Rio itself with a little side trip to Buzios. It is a three hour bus ride north and east of Rio. The bus ride costs all of 35 R roundtrip. Seeing the country side and how folks live in Brazil was quite interesting. The village of Buzio was once a sleepy little fishing village. Today it is a busy tourist mecca without the beggars, dirt, and homeless. Lots of good places to eat, clean beaches, and spartan accomodations at the local inns. It was well worth the time and energy to see something besides Rio. For mongering....take your own.
The number of mongers in town is increasing as we approach the Thanksgiving weekend. I have met several from the forum that were only names and postings before. I must say, everyone from the forum that I have met in person is, without exception, a gentleman and a monger. I won´t list the names to protect the guilty(and innocent), but it is nice to see fellow mongers in town.
Help was so crowded last night (Saturday) that I felt obligated to do my part and leave so there would be at least a couple of square feet for someone to move. I think it is the largest crowd I have ever seen inside. Outside was also crowded. Inside there were definitely more women than men, outside the reverse was true. Reminded me of the middle school parties were all the girls are on one side and the boys are on the other. I am sure a goodly number of the folks were able to pair off before the night was over.
Thursday was a holiday here, again. That translates to the downtown termas being closed. One hapless monger went directly from the plane to 4X4, luggage in one hand, and I can guess what in the other hand. Not only was the placed closed, but they also had the steel door down. He commented that a tear did well up in his eye as he looked at the barrier between him and heaven on earth.
With the sun out today, the my plan is to walk along Copa beach, camera ready, one eye watching for shit slingers, and time the trek to end at the Marriott around four to watch a couple of football games. Note: we are three hours ahead of Eastern time so the first game is at four. The second game should be over in time to grab something to eat, then try Help again. Sunday night should be a lot slower.
Life is just wonderful.

[Sperto]

Charly,

I don't think there are any "better" houses at VM. I can't imagine anybody asking you for ID.

Safest time is daytime, but you will have less girls to choose between. I think between 5 and 8 PM is a good time to go there. The new shift arrived with girls eager to work.

If you go there at 3 PM you'll propably have to look a lot to find a suitable girl.

Sundays might be very busy if there has been a football game at Maracana.

Special places? I have a few favourite casas where I found my girls. There are also many casas where I never found anything interesting at all. I guess it all depends what new girls that arrived. Unfortunately some of the cutest girls don't stand working at VM to long.

Go there and check it out! Be nosy and have patience and you'll be lucky.

Cheers

[Charly]

Thanks (ex-) Sperto!

A couple more questions:

Is it true that you can enter some of the better houses at VM only with an ID? Is a copy of a passport sufficient?

Can you recommend any special places at VM?

What's the best (safest, best selection of girls etc.) time to get there? Is 3 PM an OK time? Is it really going round the clock? Sundays are busy?

Tchau,
Carlos

[Nasty Que]

Charly,

2 friends of mine visited VM while we were in Rio. (I was to tired from earlier excursions) Anyway they both loved VM. And they both said there were some decent looking women there.

Both guys warned though that they wouldn't dare go to VM by themselves. At least have a friend or 2 down there with you.

[Sperto]

Charly,
You asked for experiences of Vila Mimosa.

Girls: Some official reports says that there are up to 1500 girls working there occasionally (sounds a bit to much to me). The majority of the girls are not attractive. They look worned out, which is understandable considering the number of clients they attend every day. However there are also some very beautiful girls to be found.

Safety: I think the only danger you might pass is going to, or leaving, V M. You can avoid it by taking a cab.

Good thing: So great just to sit down there and observe the scene. It's wild, fun and lively.

Bad things: Some rooms are just to filthy. Can also be annoying when they call down the girl, from your room, before your time ended.

Recommend? Yes, definitely worth a visit. If you find the standard of the girls to low, the rooms to filthy or the whole area disgusting, then at least you got yourself a new experience.

Personally, I love the place!