Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Java Man]

I also think airfares aren't necessarily cheaper the further out you book. It seems the airlines don't start dropping price until the date gets closer.

Per some people I know, who worked in the travel industry, best prices are found 45 to 90 days before the travel date. Last minute fares can also be cheap. When searching online clear your cookies before searching again. Or use the Private Window on Firefox, Incognito on Chrome browser.

[Eszpresszo]

You are right but your reasoning is wrong. I have friends who travel to New Orleans or Austin to fly to GIG to save $300 - $400 to me it's not worth it.

That's not my reasoning, that was what two veteran travel agents told me. But, I won't argue with you about it, as I am sure you will believe what you choose to believe.

I'm just glad to hear that $400 doesn't mean that much to you. I hope I get to be in that position when I cease having to pay child support 52 months down the road. However in the meantime, I did do a bit of price comparison using various airfare sites, and I found a price difference of several hundred dollars by flying out of AUS to GIG, versus direct from IAH (though that price difference won't always be available 365 days a year). For me, several hundred bucks is the cost of flight from IAH to BKK (on Eva, of course). But its your time and your money, and I sure you know best how to expend it.

[WyattEarp]

You are right but your reasoning is wrong. Flights from non-hub cities are cheaper because you have a choice. In your example the hub city for United is IAH for American it's DFW so if you are in Austin you can fly United through IAH or American through DFW both with a short connection. The same applies to New Orleans or other non-hub cities. If you live in Houston the airline believes most customers will fly with them instead of going to another city first. I have friends who travel to New Orleans or Austin to fly to GIG to save $300 - $400 to me it's not worth it.

Yes, good point. I also think airfares aren't necessarily cheaper the further out you book. It seems the airlines don't start dropping price until the date gets closer. As was mentioned, December is very expensive because you are competing with holiday travelers. Prices don't come down until the second week of January.

[Houston Player]

We had a discussion about this on the General Info (Brazil) thread at the beginning of this month. I suggest you check it out. Some good info there.

You live near Houston? How far are you from Austin? You can get a much better flight going out of Austin (sometimes) though it involves a connecting flight back to IAH for the same direct flight. Same situation going to Bogota on AA. Its an expensive direct flight out of DFW but the fare out of AUS with short connecting flight is often much cheaper. Why? Because Austin is the state capital, and state capitals traditionally are served with better airfares, despite an additional connecting flight added to the trip. Also check out Skiplagged.com or Skyscanner.

You are right but your reasoning is wrong. Flights from non-hub cities are cheaper because you have a choice. In your example the hub city for United is IAH for American it's DFW so if you are in Austin you can fly United through IAH or American through DFW both with a short connection. The same applies to New Orleans or other non-hub cities. If you live in Houston the airline believes most customers will fly with them instead of going to another city first. I have friends who travel to New Orleans or Austin to fly to GIG to save $300 - $400 to me it's not worth it.

[Java Man]

Do any of your have suggestions for other websites that offer condos / apartments other than airbnb.

I like using Agoda.com They also list apartments and condos.

[Eszpresszo]

Guys,

Trying to book a flight from Houston to Rio 6 months out. Flights are $2000.00 and up. WTF! Anyone know why the flights are so damn expensive?

We had a discussion about this on the General Info (Brazil) thread at the beginning of this month. I suggest you check it out. Some good info there.

You live near Houston? How far are you from Austin? You can get a much better flight going out of Austin (sometimes) though it involves a connecting flight back to IAH for the same direct flight. Same situation going to Bogota on AA. Its an expensive direct flight out of DFW but the fare out of AUS with short connecting flight is often much cheaper. Why? Because Austin is the state capital, and state capitals traditionally are served with better airfares, despite an additional connecting flight added to the trip. Also check out Skiplagged.com or Skyscanner.

[Forty Time]

What are some of your experiences using services like Airbnb or HomeAway to book apartment / condos while in Rio. I've been to Rio a few times but always used another site (that is no longer in service) for my stays. I see most of the Airbnb rules state (no guests or the guest may have to be registered ahead of time). Do any of your have suggestions for other websites that offer condos / apartments other than airbnb.

[BeenBob]

Six months from now will put you into the Holiday season especially New Years eve which is a big event in Rio. So yes this is to be as expected. Try a month later prices are a little bit better but they fluctuate also.

Not to mention airlines said they're increasing ticket prices since cost of fuel has surged over the past months.

[Java Man]

Guys,

Trying to book a flight from Houston to Rio 6 months out. Flights are $2000.00 and up. WTF! Anyone know why the flights are so damn expensive?

$2K, that for first class?

Airfare tools I use.

It's not 100% accurate, but gives you an idea of when to fly:

(Click the pen icon, upper right corner to edit destinations.).

https://www.hopper.com/deals/from/airport-houston-HOU

Check multiple sites for airfare. Once I find an airfare, I book directly with the airline. (Sometimes there are issues when booking with a third party site. Like unable to pick seats.).

https://www.kayak.com/flights

Also good.

https://www.google.com/search?q=flights

[Rio Bob]

Guys,

Trying to book a flight from Houston to Rio 6 months out. Flights are $2000.00 and up. WTF! Anyone know why the flights are so damn expensive?

Six months from now will put you into the Holiday season especially New Years eve which is a big event in Rio. So yes this is to be as expected. Try a month later prices are a little bit better but they fluctuate also.

[WyattEarp]

Excellent! I'm glad to read that I'm not the only guy who was motivated into action by 90's gonzo porn. You might recall that around that time, Anabolic video debuted their World Sex Tour series, which early on was focused on Eastern Europe and the unknown starlets of the East. Stagliano and Rocco made their way to Eastern Europe, not long afterwards. That's all I needed to see.

...........But my point is, never underestimate the power of porn to get a man on the road to punting.

Certainly the 90's gonzo porn we referenced, got our hands off our dicks, off the couch and on a plane. I spent some time in Eastern Europe after the Iron Curtain fell (1990). In reflection, I wish I spent more time there in the early 90's. Czechoslovakia and Hungary were very ripe for youngish American men. A friend of mine loved the Baltic women. American men were still a unique and romanticized sight in the early years. I think European punters kind of gave Westerners a bad image and the sex industry itself seemed to turn hardcore in response.

Speaking of porn, I thought the 90's / early 2000's were an amazing time for porn due to the incredible Czech, Slovakian and Hungarian talent of that era.

Turning it back to Brazil, I'm glad I started going to Brazil in the later half of the 90's. From what I understand, I caught the peak mongering period especially in Rio. There was also some civilian romancing when you got away from the Copacabana strip and even more in the other cities.

[Jubby007]

Excellent! I'm glad to read that I'm not the only guy who was motivated into action by 90's gonzo porn. You might recall that around that time, Anabolic video debuted their World Sex Tour series, which early on was focused on Eastern Europe and the unknown starlets of the East. Stagliano and Rocco made their way to Eastern Europe, not long afterwards. That's all I needed to see.

By the mid-80's I had visited most of Western Europe. But, never ventured to Eastern Europe til I watched those videos, and I knew what I needed to do. I made an annual pilgrimage to some new nation in Eastern Europe and always hooked with some lovely, 30-something babe for a short-term romance. I even dabbled a bit with mongering. But, I much preferred what I was getting for free, so I didn't take mongering too seriously. I hit Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and eventually met my match in Hungary. I met a hot, much younger Hungarian babe and had to import her into the US. We had 7 happy years together, followed by 6 not very happy years. Three years ago, we parted amicably and my career as a monger began in earnest. But my point is, never underestimate the power of porn to get a man on the road to punting.

I started visiting Brazil from 2005 onwards. I must say that 2005 till 2009 when he Help was alive, including Karla models, escort show and CIA plus, were among the best agencies that I had a good time dealing with. After Help, all the escort agencies shut down, it was an end of an era. Those were among the best days of my life. I used to party at local discoteca Marizinn with local Brazilian friends and scored non pros but they wanted a committed relationship so I backed out. However, Brazil was my first love in terms of global tourism. There are several other destinations but no-one can beat Brazil. I had a beach front apartment rented for a 3 years contract during late 2000's. I would say again it was an end of an era. I'm glad there are so many other options are still available like Termas, Barbarellas etc. Enjoy it while it last my friends. Brazil is still in my opinion is no. 1 destination in the world for a bachelor person. I will try Ukraine next in a month.

[JamieStarr38]

Guys,

Trying to book a flight from Houston to Rio 6 months out. Flights are $2000.00 and up. WTF! Anyone know why the flights are so damn expensive?

[Eszpresszo]

Did you speak with Stagliano, Rocco or Nacho? They're the Murderer's Row (old baseball reference) of gonzo porn. Stagliano was my inspiration to get down to Brazil in the 90's.

Excellent! I'm glad to read that I'm not the only guy who was motivated into action by 90's gonzo porn. You might recall that around that time, Anabolic video debuted their World Sex Tour series, which early on was focused on Eastern Europe and the unknown starlets of the East. Stagliano and Rocco made their way to Eastern Europe, not long afterwards. That's all I needed to see.

By the mid-80's I had visited most of Western Europe. But, never ventured to Eastern Europe til I watched those videos, and I knew what I needed to do. I made an annual pilgrimage to some new nation in Eastern Europe and always hooked with some lovely, 30-something babe for a short-term romance. I even dabbled a bit with mongering. But, I much preferred what I was getting for free, so I didn't take mongering too seriously. I hit Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and eventually met my match in Hungary. I met a hot, much younger Hungarian babe and had to import her into the US. We had 7 happy years together, followed by 6 not very happy years. Three years ago, we parted amicably and my career as a monger began in earnest. But my point is, never underestimate the power of porn to get a man on the road to punting.

[WyattEarp]

This was the post that got my interest, bars in Copacabana where girls are having drinks and one way or the other they give it up for a little cash, maybe they're pros or maybe just a side hustle. In any case I was looking for a name of a bar like for example if you go to Belmonte boteco in Copacabana at about midnight there are plenty of girls and that's where I got lucky.

So I post this to ease your curiosity because he just told me it is random bars in Copacabana on any street. I would have liked the 2 specific bars he talks about in his post but I didn't get it.

I haven't been in Copa for awhile, but I would imagine some things haven't changed. You should never pass up an opportunity to smile at a girl and hope for a reaction. It takes just a bit of game and some simple Portuguese to see if the girl is giving off the vibe.

In the good ol' days (2000's), I remember picking up a young store clerk working on Nossa Senhora that I couldn't take my eyes off. She kept smiling back. The shop closed a few minutes later and I saw her at the bus stop. I asked her if she would like to get a drink and one thing led to another. She spent her nights with me and never brought up money. Sadly as is typical, I lost track of her and couldn't contact her on my next trip for whatever reason.

I was younger and Copa was more innocent. Copa girls are definitely now jaded, but a smile still goes a long way.