Running Shoes at the beach
The bombeiros wear running shoes at the beach, as do the cops. As a general rule, I try to dress like the local lifeguards, as chicks dig firemen.
Locals may mostly do sandals, but mobility is your friend. Also, while I am at it, about 25% of locals have some kind of wrist strap for phones, so it is not that unusual. Most don't go full on vertex socp bag, but as long as I am making a gear list, that little socp dagger makes a good inside the belt last ditch weapon. Don't bring a fist to a knife fight.
If I do wear sandals, I recommend the ones from decathlon with a strap.
Short Five day trip report
First I would like to thank all of you that posted on previous trips, it helped tremendously. Most of the info has already been reported this is just my two cents.
Pre trip- Paid the $80 for the E-Visa online. The site said it would take up to three weeks for the approval but I got it the email in four days. Remember to print and bring to the airport. Delta gate agents said they would not let you board without it. I flew Delta direct for ATL to GIG departing at 11 PM arriving the next day at 10 AM.
Arrival- Very easy going through customs. The guy didn't ack me anything, just checked my paperwork and that was it. Uber cannot pickup up at the front of the airport. When you exit the terminal just turn left and continue waking all the way till the end of the terminal and you will see the Uber pickup points labeled purple, green and orange. Select your location and wait for your ride. Only had to wait 10 minutes. Ride from the airport to Copacabana is about 30 minutes.
Hotel- I stayed at the Hilton on Copacabana. I can't tell you if it's guess friendly or not I didn't ask. I also didn't see anyone doing the walk of shame.
Clubs- First was Cuatro por Cuatro. I arrived about 9 PM walked in and went to the bar downstairs. I wasn't completely sure how the process worked but one of the waiters motioned me over and gave me a card with a number so all you have to do is present the card and everything is tracked via the card. I was then shown upstairs where all the ladies were about 15 or so. Most were walking around in bikinis or little to nothing. Only a few guys were wearing robes, I guess they were locals. The obvious gringos just had on our street clothes. I stayed for about two hours talked to a few chicas but never took anyone to the rooms. When you leave they will direct you through the maze that will lead you to the exit. Here you will give the reception your card and she will tell you how much you owe. Prior to exiting the guy at the door will check receipt. I can't remember how much I paid but it was around $150 R for 3 X Heinekens and coke for one of the girls.
Second Club was Monte Carlo. I arrive around 7 PM. I walked to the front desk and before I could say anything she said its your first time? We had a quick laugh and she gave me my locker key with number tag and explained the process. I'm not really into the robe thing but it is what is. So I striped down and put the robe and flip-flops on and went up to the third floor (don't forget your phone you may need it to translate). When I walked in there were maybe 10 ladies waiting, me and two guys behind the bar. You can google search the name a see pictures inside the bar area. I walked over to the bar and they all stood up to present themselves. I told them to relax I'm just going to have a drink first. It's kind of hard to relax when you have everyone sitting looking at you waiting for you to make a selection. After about ten minutes another guy show up and I noticed he just put his rob over his street clothes. I didn't know that was an option. Anyway he goes to the bar and buys all the ladies a drink. I guess if you got it you got it, I'm not one to pocket watch. Anyway he sits down on the couch and starts chatting with his choice for the night. A few ladies come up to me and we make small talk and I tell each that I'm still looking. After an hour I make my selection and we head upstairs for a one hour session (you can choose 40 minutes or 1 HR session). When I get upstater they try to offer me a suite but I declined and we take more stair to the room. In the room she provided excellent service message, BBBJ, no rush. After we said our goodbyes and I went back to the locker room to shower. They have everything you need soap, toothbrush, mouthwash. After you change you go down stairs to turn in your key at the reception and she will tell you how much you owe. If you use a Credit Card there is an extra fee. She will then give you your receipt that you need to present to the door man before leaving. My total was about $950 R that included 2 X Heinekens one drink for her and the room.
MABS, I stopped by after leaving both cuatro por cuatro and MC each night just to see what it was like. The first night time I arrived around 1130. They had the football game on and the second night they had the UFC fight on and they stayed open extra late 3 AM to watch Brazil win. I didn't pick anyone up but there are a few very nice looking ladies that walk past. Guys just sit and watch the TV and girls stand around all the entrances walking around and around like sharks around fish. All waiting for someone to call them over to their table for drinks and negotiate the night.
Safety- I never felt uncomfortable walking around day or night. The main strip is very well lit at night and you can see everything with people that are just out waking their dogs. I walked from Monte Carlo to MABS and never felt threatened. I have read about people taking precautions with cell phones. I saw more people using their cell phones just like any place else in the world of course I would never walk down an unlit street at night try to take a selfie. I used the ATM just two blocks from the main strip. There is a charge but how much depends on you bank.
Language- I read that Brazilians don't speak Spanish or english which is true. Most Ubers I got the driver said they only spoke Portuguese. Each of the bars I went to I was able to hold somewhat of a conversation in my broken Spanish and somewhat understand each other. I rarely had to use google translate but all the venders that are on the beach walk have no problem trying to speak english when trying to sell you something.
Tourism- I hit all the major sites in Rio in my few days here. Recommend taking the Rio Somba hop on / off tour bus. It will take you to all the sites and you can decide later when and if you want to see the attractions. The tour lasted about two hours. Try to hit all the tourist sites early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Beaches- If I had to choose Ipanema beach is better than Copacabana beach. Copacabana beach is less crowded because it has more area between the water and the shore walk with more of the tourist gringos and it is not the best for swimming but neither is Ipanema. Also people don't pick up their trash after. Ipanema seems more like a beach for locals but gets very crowded but the view of the ladies was much nicer in my opinion. It has more upscale beach bars. I'm not sure if this happens every Sunday but they closed one road off and everyone was out walking, running, biking from one beach to the other. So far as beach attire you can get away with flip-flops and shorts, hat and sunglasses. Recommend a small backpack to keep a bottle water, shirt, towel and walking running shoes. Each beach has spots to rinse off.
Pros / Cons for the ladies- I like the natural look with all different shades and sizes. Nice bodies although there are a few with enhancements (not a fan). Cons, I'm not into a lot of tattoos. I've noticed that seems to be the trend all over. Note the Termas open in the afternoon and close around midnight so get there early than later. I'm used to the action not to happen until after 11PM.
Over all it was a good first trip for me. Next trip will be longer and I will hit more areas.
Lakeside.
