Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Balboa]

... I met many nice hard working taxi drivers but taxi drivers working next to brothels are lazy and always try rip off people ...

That's a generalization that does not always hold true.

I've used and befriended several taxi drivers that work VM. Some really cool guys really, who even give me the scoop on some girls there.

My last trip to VM, I didn't see one of my regular taxi guys, so I approached another who I hadn't met before.

Asked him a flat rate to my place in Leblon, he said 30 reais, I countered with 40 LOL.

We had a little laugh and he drove me safely home.

Good guy.

I'm sure there are plenty of rip off artist taxis that work near the brothel and sex club areas, but to say they're all lazy and always rip off is far from true.

[MongerForSex]

Didn't the parked taxi get there by moving at some point? So why would you avoid a parked taxi? The only problems I have ever had with taxis is that they don't use their taxi meter and charge you a flat rate which is usually higher than the rate on the meter. So what I do is parked or moving I ask the driver do you use the meter? If his answer is no and I think I can get another taxi very easy I move on and get another taxi. If I'm in a place that is dark and desolate and could be risky to hang around I'll pay the extra 10 reais which is about $2. 50 well worth my safety. If he says yes he will use the meter then I just get in and go and many parked taxis use the meter and for sure some don't. If in doubt just ask: Vc use o relogio?

It's very safe to take a running taxi, there are regular parties (many people gathering) few meters away from VM, next to Mosaic. I am Brazilian and bullshit also happens to us when we want to take a taxi. I met many nice hard working taxi drivers but taxi drivers working next to brothels are lazy and always try rip off people. One day I only had 10 reais with me and lost my bank card. A taxi driver drove me to Barra the Tijuka, he did not even accept my 10 reais. I invited him to 4 x4 just to thank him. He was a hard working person.

The problem is not about the meter. They are slow or take the wrong street delibarately and pretend to be new as a taxi driver more or less like some uber drivers just to earn few more reais. I got out of the taxis in the middle of my way many times. I don't care about the price but hate bullshit even if it only costs few reais.

[Rio Bob]

It's easy to take a taxi from VM, my advise is to avoid parked taxis. You take a running taxi few meters away from VM. UBER is good and bad, you can also run into bad drivers. You can buy a brazilian card (TIM) and choose the prepaid plan. You can use internet wherever you go.

https://www.tim.com.br/para-voce/pla...odos-os-planos

The only problems I have ever had with taxis is that they don't use their taxi meter and charge you a flat rate which is usually higher than the rate on the meter. So what I do is parked or moving I ask the driver do you use the meter? If his answer is no and I think I can get another taxi very easy I move on and get another taxi. If I'm in a place that is dark and desolate and could be risky to hang around I'll pay the extra 10 reais which is about $2. 50 well worth my safety. If he says yes he will use the meter then I just get in and go and many parked taxis use the meter and for sure some don't. If in doubt just ask: Vc use o relogio?

[MongerForSex]

Well. I didn't have phone service there just a heads up I had to take a bus to get out of there.

It's easy to take a taxi from VM, my advise is to avoid parked taxis. You take a running taxi few meters away from VM. UBER is good and bad, you can also run into bad drivers. You can buy a brazilian card (TIM) and choose the prepaid plan. You can use internet wherever you go.

https://www.tim.com.br/para-voce/pla...odos-os-planos

[Balboa]

Well. I didn't have phone service there just a heads up I had to take a bus to get out of there.

Hmmm, well I've always gotten phone service there, and there's taxis all around and coming thru all the time as well.

[RioUnderground]

Why wouldn't there be any phone service at VM? LOL.

I use Uber all the time.

Well. I didn't have phone service there just a heads up I had to take a bus to get out of there.

[SoberHans69]

Many Charles Schwab accounts and other banks offer ATM fees rebated globally. This is the best way to go. You just have to find machines which are connected to the same several systems shown on the back of your ATM card. Every city has large national banks plugged into the common global systems.

Thanks for the reply but I couldn't find any bank accounts in the UK which refund ATM fees.

[Golfinho]

My question is this. Does that 10 year stipulation apply if you marry a tourist?

If they are already in the country, you won't have to file a fiance paper, so would the marriage be the same as a normal marriage in the US?

1st question answer: No. But, if she's in USA on a tourist visa, and you marry, then you will have to real soon start getting her immigration status adjusted. It takes a while and costs $, but straightforward process.

2nd question answer: Yes! Marry in the USA and divorce in the USA, just as if she was native born.

[Bravo]

I saw this episode on tv about Americans bringing people from around the world to the USA in order to get married. One o fthe major sticking points was that if you apply for fiance visa to get them into the country and you get married, you are financially responsible for them for a period of 10 years. Even if you get divorced after one year, you are still on hook for the next 9 years.

My question is this. Does that 10 year stipulation apply if you marry a tourist? If they are already in the country, you won't have to file a fiance paper, so would the marriage be the same as a normal marriage in the US?

[WyattEarp]

Usually when I travel to Asia, I take bank notes as I can easily change UK money over there but when I went to Colombia I just used my debit and credit cards as its hard to change the money there. Got hit with the ATM fees though when withdrawing cash: no Charles Swab accounts over here unfortunately.

Many Charles Schwab accounts and other banks offer ATM fees rebated globally. This is the best way to go. You just have to find machines which are connected to the same several systems shown on the back of your ATM card. Every city has large national banks plugged into the common global systems.

[Exec Talent]

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.

I have had more sex in my life than 100 men deserve. I never think with the little head. We have a deal, I do my thing and he does his -- well, without the need for artificial stimulants.

[SoberHans69]

Hi everyone,

Great thread.

Appreciate all the advice on here.

Looking to come to Rio in September, mongered lots in Asia, once in Colombia but this will be my first visit to Brazil.

Usually when I travel to Asia, I take bank notes as I can easily change UK money over there but when I went to Colombia I just used my debit and credit cards as its hard to change the money there. Got hit with the ATM fees though when withdrawing cash: no Charles Swab accounts over here unfortunately.

Will I be able to change UK sterling over in Brazil or should I just use my cards like I did in Brazil?

Thanks for any help.

[Nordico]

Why wouldn't there be any phone service at VM? LOL.

I use Uber all the time.

I don't know about VM, but I was surprised what speeds I got in Rio.

[Nordico]

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.

So true. I would be a wealthy man if I didn't let the little head make the decisions.

[Turgid]

So, even if the girl was as much as her boyfriend in the plan to rob you, you awarded her and stayed with her, I suppose paying her, for couple of days. I would have kicked her to the curb. In my opinion she was as guilty as her boyfriend (conspiracy to rob a gringo).

If the little head was a lawyer he'd be more successful than Robert Shapiro. He's very convincing.