Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Mangera]

No, not if you take the official airport bus (called Real) to Sul. It has a hold for bags as far as I remember, same as a long distance coach. But if you are staying nearer Centro, the airport shuttle bus is better. Cheap shuttle to the domestic airport then a taxi for a couple of minutes. I can see KC's point if you are travelling with lots of clearly expensive luggage containing cash as I wouldn't want to lug bags around Copa for more than a short block.

Thanks for info. I would actually have to get to Praca General Osorio. Will the bus get to that point?

[Kyrawz]

For those who knows casas de massagems girls, does they must work 5/6 days by week as termas girls? Or it's more "flexible" in these places? (Bel prazer, tigresastijucanas.)

[Java Man]

Java Man,

Getting off at Santo Dumont to take a taxi to Copa will cost you approximately $R20 and the hassle to get off and on a taxi. You are better off getting off near any of the hotels on Ave Atlantica (eg Rio International) and taking a cab from there.

Not much of a hassle. Plenty of cabs, no waiting at Santos Dumont. Cabbie's were willing to give a hand with the bags. Vs waiting for an empty Cab on Atlantica, (I did that once.)

[Carlos3000]

I bring 2 large bags and 1 carry on. I'd grab a bus to Santos Dumont, and then a taxi to a Copa address. Had no issues. BTW, once the bus gets to Copa, it travels down Atlantica Av towards Ipanema. I did this when the bus was $R5, (I think that was the fare.) Now that the bus is $R12, maybe I'll get a taxi off Atlantica Ave near one of the hotels.

Java Man,

Getting off at Santo Dumont to take a taxi to Copa will cost you approximately $R20 and the hassle to get off and on a taxi. You are better off getting off near any of the hotels on Ave Atlantica (eg Rio International) and taking a cab from there.

[Jan 156]

For those that have taken the 12r bus, will two large bags be an issue? Thanks

No, not if you take the official airport bus (called Real) to Sul. It has a hold for bags as far as I remember, same as a long distance coach. But if you are staying nearer Centro, the airport shuttle bus is better. Cheap shuttle to the domestic airport then a taxi for a couple of minutes. I can see KC's point if you are travelling with lots of clearly expensive luggage containing cash as I wouldn't want to lug bags around Copa for more than a short block.

[Java Man]

In the past, I usually settle on a price with the taxi driver before getting in the cab. I usually have a couple of big bags because I usually stay in Rio for at least a month. Again, I do get a taxi in the departure area. What the hell, they have to go back to town anyway. Might as well make a few bucks. That usually works weel for me when dealing with the drivers.

For those that have taken the 12r bus, will two large bags be an issue? Thanks

I bring 2 large bags and 1 carry on. I'd grab a bus to Santos Dumont, and then a taxi to a Copa address. Had no issues. BTW, once the bus gets to Copa, it travels down Atlantica Av towards Ipanema. I did this when the bus was $R5, (I think that was the fare.) Now that the bus is $R12, maybe I'll get a taxi off Atlantica Ave near one of the hotels.

[Kid Cisco]

I can't see the need for the taxi having a radio or working for a company. On the contrary I would advice to avoid what they call "radio taxis". These "radio taxis", often white ones, usually charges more.

Personally I always settle for a price before I get into the taxi. A price that's good for me and fair to the driver. It always works very well. It could be because I use a simple Peak Performance bag instead of a Louis Vuitton bag. .

Sperto,

I agree with you on the radio "white taxis" part and I would also echo to avoid them they will charge you a lot more I have NEVER took them in all my years going to Brazil.

The reason I have always liked to take a taxi in ANY country that I have gone to over the years that work for a company or have a radio in them is because when I was working on Shore Patrol overseas in many of the different countries I was station at when I was in the Navy the sailors that I would always run across that ended up getting their asses mugged or robbed in some cases killed was the ones that would hop into what we (The Navy) would call them " GYPSY" or " BOOT LEG" taxi drivers. That don't have to answer to anyone... hell you are taking a risk no matter what .. but getting in a Taxi with someone you never met before and you are handing your life to someone that have nothing to loose that don't have to answer to anyone.

How many times have we have seen reports of the "GYPSY" or some would called them " BOOT LEG" taxi drivers that use to park outside Club Help that would over charge guys double or more when they would try to take a girl back to their place? Or how many of us that been to the Del Rey Hotel in Costa Rica and had to almost push those " gypsy" " boot leg" Taxi drivers out of the way and walk across the street because they would over charge Tricks that would try to go back to their hotel after picking up a girl from the bar?

Well let's stay with Brazil I have posted and told guys on here over the years like " The Cane" that worked for him very well to NEVER take those taxis outside of Barbarella's Bar because those taxi drivers would over charge guys double or more $$ when they would bring out a girl from the bar and when you tell the girl IF you want to take one of these Taxis out front of the bar the cost will come out of your money that the driver have over charge me LOL you should see how fast they will walk across the street and grab another taxi.

The point I am making from saying I rather take a Taxi (a yellow one) that work for a company is from seeing people here in the states that have been injured from taking a Taxi were the diver didn't have insurance needed to cover the medical bills for a person that took a ride from a "freelancer" Taxi driver and not from a company owned one that have to be required by law to have insurance etc. You will be taking a chance.

To be honest I use to always take this service that was a limo / Taxi service that would pick me up at the Airport they used larger size Vans I needed that being as tall as I am with long ass legs a uniformed English speaking driver that would hold up a sign with my name on it, ( but I was unable to find their business card on this past trip )... And yes I make no apologies having some nice Louis Vuitton luggage and wanting to put them inside a safe company insured owned nice cleaned air condition taxi / Van and not wanting to put them inside of a trunk of some dirty, junkie, gasoline smelly bootleg gypsy driven taxi LOL LOL

You see I don't live in Brazil (because if I did I would have a steady driver I know and trust to pick me up and take me around) so when I travel going from the airport to the hotel that is the biggest risk any of us will take when we are on vacation no matter were we are because I can only speak for myself at that point I will have on me a lot of cash I mean a lot of cash $$ on me so having a driver that have to answer to a boss or have something to loose or in case something happen on the road (a wreck, a flat) etc. Or just knowing that I have radio contact with someone on the other end means a lot to me maybe other people this doesn't matter.

Kid Cisco

[Mangera]

In the past, I usually settle on a price with the taxi driver before getting in the cab. I usually have a couple of big bags because I usually stay in Rio for at least a month. Again, I do get a taxi in the departure area. What the hell, they have to go back to town anyway. Might as well make a few bucks. That usually works weel for me when dealing with the drivers.

For those that have taken the 12r bus, will two large bags be an issue? Thanks

[Jan 156]

A friend of mine who just returned last week from Rio informed me that the cost went up to 12R. I have not used the bus in the past because I usually catch a taxi in the departure drop off area. However, if I do not feel tired from the trip, I will be trying out the bus option. I will check it out in June when I head down to bunda land and write a report.

I think I posted that recently as well. 12R last time I took it. It takes longer than a taxi and goes a different way though, so I suppose it depends where you're going, how many bags you have, how much of a rush you're in. If I do get a taxi, I put my bag(s) on the back seat and get them out before I hand over money. As Sperto says, radio taxis cost more. There was one stand at the airport that let you book a normal taxi from arrivals if you want to.

[Sperto]

Also along with catching a taxi from the departure area on the second level. Most Taxi are aware of us catching them from this area BUT you also want to make sure the Taxi you get in work for a company and has a radio in them. And they use a meter I had to act a fool in the Taxi and I wasn't in Rio not even a hour.

I can't see the need for the taxi having a radio or working for a company. On the contrary I would advice to avoid what they call "radio taxis". These "radio taxis", often white ones, usually charges more.
Personally I always settle for a price before I get into the taxi. A price that's good for me and fair to the driver. It always works very well. It could be because I use a simple Peak Performance bag instead of a Louis Vuitton bag.

[Kid Cisco]

Cisco, where is the trip report that you promised would be full of pictures and new intel?

Bravo,

Please show me and post were " I " PROMISE and said I would write a trip report or anything stating that would be FULL of pictures or EVEN one picture ?

Kid Cisco

[QuackUp]

In my opinion, my Portuguese sucks! But it is good enough to get by. Thanks to your reports and having good sessions at M / C before, I was really looking forward to visiting M / C this year. Usually I don't discuss what the girl does or doesn't do up in the room. I just like to feel the chemistry and then decide. So far only a few duds with this method. Hopefully the line-up gets better at M/C for when I visit next year. But again, for our sport, timing is everything. Since the copa termas are getting so expensive, I look forward to yours and others report, to see if it worth visiting these termas when I do return.

Thanks Q

[Eric Cartman]

Hey Quackup.

Great reports! Thanks much for posting recent, quality intel.

Sorry to hear about your Monte Carlo experiences. Do you speak any Portuguese? The stuff you are talking about, no Brazilian would put up with. I've never had it happen to me there, but I've been going there for more than a year now and I speak OK Porto. I had a girl try to give me CBJ at Centaurus last year, and I told her "Stop. Are you serious?" and when she asked what I meant, I said "I've been living in Rio for more than year, and you are the first girl I've seen in a Termas who has tried to blow me with a condom. I am not accepting that." And she gave in. (But the session still sucked).

Anyway, you also can discuss these things in the boate. I frequently go through exactly what she will or will not do "para evitar mal-entendidos" (to avoid misunderstandings). If they say they won't suck without a condom, I pass.

Glad to hear the other experiences were better.

[Bravo]

.

Wow, it is such a small world and you never know who will cross your path the funny thing was one cute girl (there were ONLY 2 cute ones I saw that night I thought was cute) but one cute one walked past the table to the restroom and was looking good and me and him both check her out and we looked at each other and smile at each other (a lot of the girls knew his girl because they would stop and speak to her).

Wow I kind of feel bad I didn't say anything else to him BUT when I asked could I sit down I didn't want to ruin his date and his time together. At least now I know his name was Richard R. I. P.

Kid Cisco

Cisco, where is the trip report that you promised would be full of pictures and new intel?

[Kid Cisco]

A friend of mine who just returned last week from Rio informed me that the cost went up to 12R. I have not used the bus in the past because I usually catch a taxi in the departure drop off area. However, if I do not feel tired from the trip, I will be trying out the bus option. I will check it out in June when I head down to bunda land and write a report.

Mangera,

Also along with catching a taxi from the departure area on the second level. Most Taxi are aware of us catching them from this area BUT you also want to make sure the Taxi you get in work for a company and has a radio in them. And they use a meter I had to act a fool in the Taxi and I wasn't in Rio not even a hour. LOL LOL

What happen was I told and showed the driver the address and asked how much it would be? Before I put my bags in his Taxi some of my bags was Louie V's. So maybe he thought he hit the lotto when I got in his Taxi and he was going to make a lot of money off of me, I asked him to turn on his meter he said it would be 40 reals I said ok let's go and THAT IS ALL I WILL PAY YOU TOO! To make a long story short this fool was driving so damn slow and was letting almost every guy with a motor bikes get in front of him.

I told him you can keep on bullshitting around IF you want to and driving slow BUT all I am going to by your ass is 40 reals! So keep on letting these motor bikes in front of you. After that he stop letting them get in front of him (so he understood me very well ).

By the time we got to my place he ran the meter up to 65 reals I got out of the Taxi and jump out and I started grabbing my bags and put them on the sidewalk. The doorman for my place was talking to a policeman I tall dark skinned black Brazilian police that was a friend of his so they came over and asked me was everything ok? I told them this fool is trying to run a game on me. The doorman was trying to be cool and said welcome back (he knew me from the last few times I stayed there). I told them watch this I hope I don't have a problem with this fool I gave the Taxi driver 40 reals and the Police and my doorman started laughing after they heard me telling and yeah at the Taxi driver that just because I am a American don't think for a second you are going to run some BS on me. I was standing over the Taxi driver pointing at him telling him how I watch him allowing cars and motorbikes get in front of us all the way from the airport trying to run up the damn meter. Keep in mind I am 6'5 and I was angry! They thought it was a funny sight. I asked the Taxi driver to call his boss (that was when I found out he worked for himself and owned his owned Taxi) the Police told me that.

The doorman pull me to the side and said this time of day with traffic it should have been around 50 reals so I wanted to get unpack and check in and later hit some Termas so I told the Taxi driver ok here is 50 reals and this is going to be it! So the Taxi driver took it and was ready to leave UNTIL the Police started asking him for some paperwork and that was when he wrote him a ticket.

That was when the Taxi driver was trying to get the rest of the money for the fare from me the Police told him to take the Ticket and leave because he overheard me and him agreed that I would pay him 50 reals for the fare. After the Taxi driver left the doorman and the Police high five me and laughed and the Police gave me his card and said that if I have any problems to have someone give him a call.

Keep in mind I wasn't in Rio not even 2 hours LOL LOL and this went down. I was hoping that better things were coming and they were.

So bottom line not ONLY make sure these Taxi driver use their meter also check and see if they have a radio and work for a company. Just in case you have any problems.

As far as taking the Bus from the Airport for 12R I just don't want to have to unload my bags off a bus and have Louie Bags on the sidewalk of Brazil trying to flag down a Taxi to my place so I would take one for the team and pay a Taxi from the Airport to my place NOW if I only have one bag maybe things would be different but I was there for 3 weeks and had lots of bags with me..

Kid Cisco