Rio de Janeiro Reports

Now I'm not saying they don't happen, but sometimes the "rip off" stems from the gringo's lack of language skills and understanding -- me included. Here is an example. Terma 22 has often been cited for charging gringos more than locals. Here is the actual situation. They have a detailed and complicated pricing structure:

20 mins - R55
30 mins - R75
40 mins - R95
60 mins - R115 (I think).

Ask for prices for extras like anal or whatever.

Entrada - R12 (3 beers included)
Other types of drinks (yours or garotas) - R15.

I think that this establishment is not very forthcoming on the options available and if a gringo comes in, they quote him the 40 minutes prices (same time as other ZS termas) which is R95. If you ask the options they will tell you. If you are a Carioca, you will be asking the options. (I was in there the other day and heard one gringo ask his budy: "Hey, how long should I go for -- 40 minutes or and hour?" His friend shrugged and said "Oh, make it an hour." Probably no questions on pricing. And BTW, I can't imagine staying in one of those cabinas for an hour! LOL).

So, the bottom line is that a gringo who goes for an hour and then compares the price reported on this board by someone who went for 20 minutes could think he was being ripped off.

Also, I know they have tried to charge R20 instead of the R12 for entrada, but I suspect they are just trying to raise prices in general and the old customers won't stand for it. They way I see it, these people are not evil or necessarily trying to cheat only gringos, they are Carioca. They just shrug their shoulders and if you pay a little more because of inexperience, they accept this as the way life is. Of course, this runs counter to the Northern European way of thinking where everything has a rule and is fixed -- no variation.

The larger termas ZS and downtown) are straight up and even sometimes print their whole deal on a plastic card (in English). I don't think they have any intention to mislead or cheat anyone. Quite the opposite, they are trying to avoid situations where a gringo doesn't understand and thinks he is being cheated. Bad for business.

Of course, the girls in the various establishments who are free lance are a different story. They definitely see $$$ in a gringo. But this is just free enterprise. It is not just Northern Europeans or Americans, but Colombians, Argentines, Italians -- basically any non-Cariaoca -- that they will try to up the price. There is an easy way to find out the real price. Just walk away a few times and see when you get called back. Also, remember that they are human and if they like you, the price may be different from someone they don't like so much.

I have to say that Rio is wonderful now (again, I should say) now that the crowds are gone. Cariocas are back from vacations and bars, restaurants and yes, termas are pleasantly occupied and there is an ambiance of tranquility. The often reported demise of Rio on this board is premature in my opinion. The only problem remains the price of things in dollars, but that also seems to be improving.

Beleza!!

[QUOTE=Smooth Slim]For each trip I bring a suitcase full of Victoria Secret products. .. Yes, VS is sold in duty free at obscene prices.

Smooth[/QUOTE]

I bought VS lotions at Duty Free in Rio and paid the exact same price that I had paid in the US. $8 per unit or $25 for three.

[QUOTE=Allforrio]What is the best time to hit Florida bar the 2 times I tried it it was closed.
Once around 4pm and the next time around 11pm.
Are they a late night spot say after midnite.
Thanks[/QUOTE]

Late night spot but opening times vary enormously, as does the quality of the experience. It is largely dependent on sailors being in town.

As a rough guide, I look at 8pm to 4am, although 11-3am is maybe a safer guide. If a ship is in, the place is heaving with some reasonably good quality pussy at ridiculously good prices and cabins that are excellent value for the money. The strip shows are entertaining and the girls aren't pushy. Drinks are reasonable. Quite a nice place to hang out if it's raining* as you can have a punt, relax and watch the show, then have another punt (I hope they've fixed the roof leak or whatever it was near the bar). Prices are sometimes posted on the door (about 70R for 30mins from memory) and often there's no entrance fee.

If there's no ship docked, there will just be half a dozen middle-range girls that look just doable but there's no atmosphere and they might just not bother opening or only open for a few hours at most. Service can be a bit uninspired at such times.

There's lots of buses going to Praca Maua from Copa, many of then conveniently marked - 'Praca Maua.' (eg 123, or 177). It's admittedly a short walk from the nearest Metro (Uruguiana) but you pass quite a number of termas (mid-range and cheap end) on the way, so it can be a pleasant evening stroll if you are comfortable with North Centro.

[i]*as opposed to muddy VM, running between bars in Copa, or paying st*pid prices for an average show in a Copa boite.[/i]

[QUOTE=Helprules]Can someone that is vacationing in Brazil report on what the cambios are giving. Oanda.com is showing 1.80 and xe.com is showing 1.85. The dollar is soaring with all the fear from greece. Lets hope it last for my August trip.[/QUOTE]

Cambio changes strongly every day

We got 1.81, up from 1.80, for $800, after some prodding on Saturday May 8, on a cambio that usually gives the best rates

Note that some cambios give lower rates if your bills are not all 100 and 50ies. So avoid 20$ bills

[QUOTE=Poucolouco]I bought VS lotions at Duty Free in Rio and paid the exact same price that I had paid in the US. $8 per unit or $25 for three.[/QUOTE]Yes duty free is same price for VS lotions. I brought some down for my lady and her friends and then saw it in duty free shop. The other item the Brazilian ladies go crazy for is Caroline Herrera original cologne. I brought down a few bottles and have been handsomely rewarded.

[QUOTE=Poucolouco]I bought VS lotions at Duty Free in Rio and paid the exact same price that I had paid in the US. $8 per unit or $25 for three.[/QUOTE]

In the US, for $ 35 you get 5-8 units, depending if you get a sale price. Now there might be tax or shipping on it.

In Brazil it is 11 dollars.


[url]http://www.dutyfreedufry.com.br/Default.asp?cookie_test=1[/url]

[url]http://www.dutyfreedufry.com.br/search.asp?categories=&keyword=victoria&Procurar.x=0&Procurar.y=0&CatalogNameToSearch=DutyFree_PT&btnSubmit=Procurar[/url]

Love Spell Hydrating Body Lotion 250ml

Victoria's Secret

A marca Victoria's Secret já é conhecida por seus aromas inconfundíveis. Ainda mais a Linha Secret Garden Collection que é um sucesso em todo mundo. O Love Spell Hydrating Body Lotion possui uma magnífica mistura de pêssego, flor de cerejeira e jasmin branco. Também é composto por aveia e extratos de uva, além das vitaminas antioxidantes C e E que deixam sua pele saudável, hidratada e perfumada.

Preço: US$11.00



Body Splash Spray Vanilla Lace 250ml

Victoria's Secret

Desodorante corporal em spray pós banho. Para todos os tipos de pele. A rica e sensual mistura de baunilha e orquídeas, com toques de âmbar e musk, que promove uma sensação de jovialidade e renovação. Uma fragrância deliciosa para refrescar o seu corpo e deixar a sua pele macia durante todo o dia. Embalagem com 250 ml.

Preço: US$11.00

[QUOTE=Brazil Specialist]In the US, for $ 35 you get 5-8 units, depending if you get a sale price. Now there might be tax or shipping on it.

In Brazil it is 11 dollars.

[url]http://www.dutyfreedufry.com.br/Default.asp?cookie_test=1[/url]

[url]http://www.dutyfreedufry.com.br/search.asp?categories=&keyword=victoria&Procurar.x=0&Procurar.y=0&CatalogNameToSearch=DutyFree_PT&btnSubmit=Procurar[/url]

Love Spell Hydrating Body Lotion 250ml

Victoria's Secret

A marca Victoria's Secret já é conhecida por seus aromas inconfundíveis. Ainda mais a Linha Secret Garden Collection que é um sucesso em todo mundo. O Love Spell Hydrating Body Lotion possui uma magnífica mistura de pêssego, flor de cerejeira e jasmin branco. Também é composto por aveia e extratos de uva, além das vitaminas antioxidantes C e E que deixam sua pele saudável, hidratada e perfumada.

Preço: US$11.00

Body Splash Spray Vanilla Lace 250ml

Victoria's Secret

Desodorante corporal em spray pós banho. Para todos os tipos de pele. A rica e sensual mistura de baunilha e orquídeas, com toques de âmbar e musk, que promove uma sensação de jovialidade e renovação. Uma fragrância deliciosa para refrescar o seu corpo e deixar a sua pele macia durante todo o dia. Embalagem com 250 ml.

Preço: US$11.00[/QUOTE]Wow, an ISG Victoria Secrets seminar.

Thanks fellas for the info! I didn't know VS had so many reps on ISG!

[QUOTE=Allforrio]What is the best time to hit Florida bar the 2 times I tried it it was closed.

Once around 4pm and the next time around 11pm.

Are they a late night spot say after midnite.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

Ok. Christopherd has pretty much summed it up for you. I was there tonight/Saturday. Some tight chassis about, 8 chicks on duty. Almost all were doable save for one or two preffering to lie on the sofa watching porno. I don`t know, perhaps i was there on a quiet evening, Saturday hell? the joint was somewhat uninspiring with my experience of Philippines and Thailand coming to the fore, just perhaps, i have a spoilt memory.

The rates as follows: 30 min = R$70 Free Motel
45 min = R$90
Opening 23:00 to 03:00am six nights a week. Closed Sunday evenings. R$10 entrance fee, Beer R$6

You can enjoy yourself prior to opening times by having a couple of beers or meal in the pleasant open air bar downstairs next to the entrance. A few Grandmamas about. However i saw some attractives, couple of young chickens, crossed my mind they were ex-dances upstairs now hawking the merchandise outdoors. Got eye-fucked by a doable tight grandmama.

[QUOTE=Christopherd]There's lots of buses going to Praca Maua from Copa, many of then conveniently marked - 'Praca Maua.' (eg 123, or 177). It's admittedly a short walk from the nearest Metro (Uruguiana) but you pass quite a number of termas (mid-range and cheap end) on the way, so it can be a pleasant evening stroll if you are comfortable with North Centro. [/i][/QUOTE]You are quite right matter of fact that is the way I venture to Florida

Very nice stroll from the metro station

And you are correct came across many nice budgeted terms (american bar terma Mv 30 etc.) and a few others.

[QUOTE=Hughdad]Yes duty free is same price for VS lotions. I brought some down for my lady and her friends and then saw it in duty free shop. The other item the Brazilian ladies go crazy for is Caroline Herrera original cologne. I brought down a few bottles and have been handsomely rewarded.[/QUOTE]
Hope your business (and fun) is going well in Brazil.

Sometimes it is better to keep things to yourself (or a few friends) rather than post in an open forum. Pretty soon every jerk (and I do mean jerk as I see more than my share of them) will be bringing VS and Caroline Herrera. Next trip when you pull it out they will say to you -- oh honey I have VS and CH coming out my ass I want a laptop or how about just the money.

Glad you are having a good time. I was going to go to Japan later this month but have nixed that trip and think I am heading to Rio.

been here a few days, and been to balcony and mei pataca twice on each. from what i've seen, it is as previously reported, mei is pretty much dead, afew old timers looking pissed off at the demise of helpee.

balcony is crazy and a fuckin meat market. some nice garotas who are friendly, but alot of pushy ones, who go staight to the deal. i spoke with a very large breasted black chick and she immediatley asked for a drink, and when i said not now, she told me to get on? it was raining hard last night and was very crowded in there. so i prefered it from my last visit before helpee closed. 14 reals for a caiprina!! so went straight to the skols.

i got too drunk and lost the purpose of going there and ended up taking a chick who ended up being a star fish and left before the agreed time.

the price at balcony seems to be start off 200 reals for 2 hours but negotiable to 150, but like last night, how many want to stay the full 2 hours!

1 pop and she had her hot pants back on, so i re-negotiated to 100 and 4 reals for a ride back to balcony.

i took alot of numbers so i', gonna use them during my weeks being here.

was meant to have a porn star come round this afternoon and have been waiting and waiting, but have just realised as she told me its mothers day in brazil!! all lost in translation!

learn porto!!

gonna spend alot of my time in centro now

Which porn star you trying to line up and how did you arrange that deal?

which porn star and how did you line that up?

[quote=koolkid]been here a few days, and been to balcony and mei pataca twice on each. from what i've seen, it is as previously reported, mei is pretty much dead, afew old timers looking pissed off at the demise of helpee.

balcony is crazy and a fuckin meat market. some nice garotas who are friendly, but alot of pushy ones, who go staight to the deal. i spoke with a very large breasted black chick and she immediatley asked for a drink, and when i said not now, she told me to get on? it was raining hard last night and was very crowded in there. so i prefered it from my last visit before helpee closed. 14 reals for a caiprina!! so went straight to the skols.

i got too drunk and lost the purpose of going there and ended up taking a chick who ended up being a star fish and left before the agreed time.

the price at balcony seems to be start off 200 reals for 2 hours but negotiable to 150, but like last night, how many want to stay the full 2 hours!

1 pop and she had her hot pants back on, so i re-negotiated to 100 and 4 reals for a ride back to balcony.

i took alot of numbers so i', gonna use them during my weeks being here.

was meant to have a porn star come round this afternoon and have been waiting and waiting, but have just realised as she told me its mothers day in brazil!! all lost in translation!

learn porto!!

gonna spend alot of my time in centro now[/quote]

[quote=koolkid]been here a few days, and been to balcony and mei pataca twice on each. from what i've seen, it is as previously reported, mei is pretty much dead, afew old timers looking pissed off at the demise of helpee.

balcony is crazy and a fuckin meat market. some nice garotas who are friendly, but alot of pushy ones, who go staight to the deal. i spoke with a very large breasted black chick and she immediatley asked for a drink, and when i said not now, she told me to get on? it was raining hard last night and was very crowded in there. so i prefered it from my last visit before helpee closed. 14 reals for a caiprina!! so went straight to the skols.

i got too drunk and lost the purpose of going there and ended up taking a chick who ended up being a star fish and left before the agreed time.

the price at balcony seems to be start off 200 reals for 2 hours but negotiable to 150, but like last night, how many want to stay the full 2 hours!

1 pop and she had her hot pants back on, so i re-negotiated to 100 and 4 reals for a ride back to balcony.

i took alot of numbers so i', gonna use them during my weeks being here.

was meant to have a porn star come round this afternoon and have been waiting and waiting, but have just realised as she told me its mothers day in brazil!! all lost in translation!

learn porto!!

gonna spend alot of my time in centro now[/quote]i thank you for not buying that chick a drink. the attitudes of those balcony girls are outrages. my last visit i took a girl from balcony and we agreed on a price for completa. at my apartment she changed the price right in the middle of us having sex. we had agree for r200. when i was ready to hit the bunda she looked over her shoulder at me and said r400. no problem, she didn't get it. once we finished she wanted a new towel for her shower and i told her no and she got now taxi money. mongers need to set some standards with these girls. i think i will only let them shower before i fuck them and no shower when they are done fucking. in fact, we oughta charge them for the 2nd shower. and taxi? her going home to nova iguacu is not my problem.

I haven't been to Rio or Brazil since Nov 2008. Wondering where to go. Read the last few days of posts. (Sorry, I don't want to research the last few months of posts on Rio). Seems from the posts that the Help girls went to Balcony Bar and the small disco next door (to the left) and upstairs from Balcony. Is that true? Balcony Bar used to have lower quality programa girls, but I guess it has improved quality with the Help girls there now.

1) Any big discos in Rio with Programa girls?

2) Also, a lot of Programa girls used to hang out at night in front of Cafe Atlantico, next to where Help disco used to be. Is Cafe Atlantico dead at night, as far as having action, now that Help closed?