Rio de Janeiro Reports

[QUOTE=RioHeart;2337249]Just a reminder to all of you in Brazil land. Tomorrow (June 20) is Corpus Christi holiday in Brazil and almost all businesses will be closed, especially banks. Friday is a mix mash of open and closed businesses. This is usually like a 4 day holiday. Not sure how this affects Prives and Termas. Maybe some one out there knows.

Meanwhile in other news.

USA citizens no longer need a visa to visit Brazil! Yippeee.

[URL]https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/americans-exempt-from-brazil-tourist-visa-requirements[/URL]

Even more other news..[/QUOTE]Can't really speak for Rio, but all the major locations in Sao Paulo will be closed for 6/20-21.

Perhaps we need a new thread for Rio de Janerio Travels instead of posting unrelated "Reports" topics.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2333218]Trip Advisor is full of people that have made the journey the same way you hope to do. ISG is full of people that have made the journey 1000 times and in many cases live in the places that you are going. So where do you think you will get the best all-around information from? I live in Thailand and just recently someone posted about a company running a 6 month cell phone data plan for $60. What are the chances of having found out about that on TA? The info outside of mongering that I have gotten here and from guys that I have met here has many times literally shaped and changed my life.[/QUOTE]

If on a Tuesday I want a taxi from Copa to T65 what do I tell the Taxi driver. If I just say T65 will he know were to go?

[QUOTE=Hotrod10;2339183]If on a Tuesday I want a taxi from Copa to T65 what do I tell the Taxi driver. If I just say T65 will he know were to go?[/QUOTE]Give the driver the address: are. Do Rosário, 65, Centro. Easier and probably cheaper using the Uber app. Uber knows it as Whikeria 65.

I'm about halfway through my research for my upcoming trip back to Rio. I try to read the last 50 pages on this site before each trip. I've read all of these post before but most pages seem new. And you didn't think a bad memory was useful. I found many posts about problems with taxi drivers. I have never experienced this scam here in Rio (well I don't think I have) but in Buenos Aires a common taxi scam Is for a unscrupulous taxi driver to take a color photo of a, lets say a 50 are note then make a small tear in the side and place in his lap. So as you pay him he looks at the 50 r note and study it and drops the note you gave him picks up the forgery and says I'm sorry sir this has a small tear in it so I can't except it. You apologize and trade for a different note. This is so common in Argentina that some locals say they always note the last 2 digits of the bill they give the driver. In all my travels most of my problems have been with taxi drivers. With that said many of my best and most memorable experiences have been with taxi drivers. I'm not going to bore you with any of my experiences but one of my best happen about 10-12 years ago and I reported on the Wasa Poland thread.

I keep reading were members think its terrible to carry cash in Rio or any foreign country. Personally, I have had so many problems in Brazil trying to use my visa debit card that I now carry cash to Rio then to my room and hopefully to a safe. From my previous trip I always arrive with about R2000. This will get me to my apartment and get me through a few days before I need to get to a cambio. I normally carry about 1500 r when I'm out and about. I don't carry my wallet or passport but I do always wear a t shirt that has a pocket. I put the balk of my money in my t shirt pocket then loose small bills in my shirt pocket. I'm sure there are many ways to protect your money but this works for me. Before my bank Visa was such a problem I would just bring my left over cash and plan on replenishing my walk around cash every few days from an ATM. Things change and you must adapt.

I am returning to Rio in 3 days. I have written about this issue before but here is an update. My last 3 trips to Rio was a fiscal nightmare. I notified my bank of my travel plans to Brazil and I thought all was well. When In Brazil each of those three times my Visa cards didn't work. On trip 1-2 when I returned my bank said we're sorry but Visa screwed up this shouldn't of happened. After trip 3 when I ran out of money and returned 3 days early, I was furious. After the better part of a day on the phone with a nice lady from my bank she said I found the problem, Visa and Am Ex have placed Visa on a no use list. The normal procedure we use to advise Visa that a customer is traveling to Brazil no longer works. My bank must now call Visa and tell them that I am a good customer and I have been advised of the problems using my credit card in Brazil and that I will not use my card for everyday purchases but on bank ATMs then use cash for purchases. I understand the problem Visa is having with the corruption in Brazil but their banks and customers should be informed. So what do you think.

[QUOTE=Hotrod10;2340681]I am returning to Rio in 3 days. I have written about this issue before but here is an update. My last 3 trips to Rio was a fiscal nightmare. I notified my bank of my travel plans to Brazil and I thought all was well. When In Brazil each of those three times my Visa cards didn't work. On trip 1-2 when I returned my bank said we're sorry but Visa screwed up this shouldn't of happened. After trip 3 when I ran out of money and returned 3 days early, I was furious. After the better part of a day on the phone with a nice lady from my bank she said I found the problem, Visa and Am Ex have placed Visa on a no use list. The normal procedure we use to advise Visa that a customer is traveling to Brazil no longer works. My bank must now call Visa and tell them that I am a good customer and I have been advised of the problems using my credit card in Brazil and that I will not use my card for everyday purchases but on bank ATMs then use cash for purchases. I understand the problem Visa is having with the corruption in Brazil but their banks and customers should be informed. So what do you think.[/QUOTE]Who's your bank? I've no issues with my Schwab debit card, and Aspiration Debit card (ATM's only,) nor with my Capital One Visa Credit card. If I withdrawn too much, say R$4000, from an ATM, Schwab will block the card, and I have to call them to get the block removed. From past experience, Visa and the Bank will blame each other for any issues. Smh.

[QUOTE=Hotrod10;2340681]My last 3 trips to Rio was a fiscal nightmare. I notified my bank of my travel plans to Brazil and I thought all was well. When In Brazil each of those three times my Visa cards didn't work.[/QUOTE]Change banks. It seems your bank sucks.

I am on my way to the place I will probably, eventually move, Rio. I am not ready yet. I still have family obligations at home but it will not be long. I have thought about buying a condo but that would be a little complicated. I haven't done much research but I'm told by a few expats that they regret buying over leasing. Like I said I have done zero research but for sure when I'm ready to make the move I will spend lot of time checking it out. Comments from local expats would be welcome.

Tonight I finished my research for my trip that begins in 2 days. My first stop will be at t65. Thanks for the address.

Larry David will you be in Rio 7-02 to 7-14. PM me and if you are lets meet somewhere for a beer.

[QUOTE=JavaMan;2340904]Who's your bank? I've no issues with my Schwab debit card, and Aspiration Debit card (ATM's only,) nor with my Capital One Visa Credit card. If I withdrawn too much, say R$4000, from an ATM, Schwab will block the card, and I have to call them to get the block removed. From past experience, Visa and the Bank will blame each other for any issues. Smh.[/QUOTE]Better bring cash, it's more practical.

ABG.

[QUOTE=AltoBomGosto;2341140]Better bring cash, it's more practical. ABG.[/QUOTE]Not practical for me, I'm Always traveling. I'll stay somewhere for at least a month then move on to another country. Less time I spend in the US, the better.

[QUOTE=Hotrod10;2341052]I am on my way to the place I will probably, eventually move, Rio. I am not ready yet. I still have family obligations at home but it will not be long. I have thought about buying a condo but that would be a little complicated. I haven't done much research but I'm told by a few expats that they regret buying over leasing. [/QUOTE]I have a buddy that has been down there ever since I can remember. Back in the day he bought places to rent out. Now the only reason that he is still there is because he can not get all his money out from selling the places he owned.

When you rent you can pick up and walk out at anytime and you have someone to fix shit that breaks. When you buy, you could be creating a headache for yourself. Also, buying is a young person's game. If you are over 60 then do you really want to be buying shit? A joy of being older is that you no longer have shit that ties you down, e.g. wife, kids, mortgage, job.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2341292]I have a buddy that has been down there ever since I can remember. Back in the day he bought places to rent out. Now the only reason that he is still there is because he can not get all his money out from selling the places he owned.

When you rent you can pick up and walk out at anytime and you have someone to fix shit that breaks. When you buy, you could be creating a headache for yourself. Also, buying is a young person's game. If you are over 60 then do you really want to be buying shit? A joy of being older is that you no longer have shit that ties you down, e.g. wife, kids, mortgage, job.[/QUOTE]Couldn't agree with you more.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;2341292]I have a buddy that has been down there ever since I can remember. Back in the day he bought places to rent out. Now the only reason that he is still there is because he can not get all his money out from selling the places he owned. [/QUOTE]
Amen.
I also have several friends whou bought apartments in Rio. They bought them when the real was low around 2003 (?). The first years renting out the apartments were good business. Today it's bad business and a lot of headache. However if they manage to sell the apartments today they will make a good profit. Personally I always prefered to rent apartments.

Remember, it requires some efforts not to be screwed when buying apartments. If you're not having the language skills or even know how to find the address of a terma I think you should consider twice before buying an apartment.