Rio de Janeiro Reports

I've read some interesting suggestions on where to stay when going to Rio: Centro, Lapa, Praça da Bandeira and Niteroi.

If the main and sole purpose of your trip is mongering:
* Copacabana: Nothing to offer except Balcony Zoo, Monte Carlo and some shitty strip-clubs.
* Ipanema: Not much to offer in mongering.
* Centro: If you want to stay close to cheap and good mongering Centro is a very good choice. Other advantages with Centro are cheap restaurants, nice after-work bars and clubs for regular night-life. A disadvantage is that some parts of Centro at night are a bit deserted.
* Lapa: All the advantages that Centro has and a great nightlife.
* Praça da Bandeira: Close to VM, Tijuca and Centro, but IMO not a very attractive bairro.
* Niteroi: Cheap mongering. Cheap restaurants and what I heard a good night-life.

Other nice and calm bairros are Glória, Flamengo, Tijuca. A short trip and you're in Centro.

When I go to Brazil for 3-4 months the mongering is just one of many purposes of my trip. When staying in Rio I appreciate beachlife, beauty of the city, possibility to exercise outdoors, stroll along Av Atlântica, sit down at quisques and peoplewatching. Copacabana, Leme and Ipanema are my favourites. Copacabana is my first choice.
If I would go to Rio for only 10 days and with mongering as the only interest Centro would be my choice.

Little embarrassed about this one, but if it saves someone else from overpaying, it was worth it. Went to Master Therapy at Av Nossa Senhora 542/806 and visited with Erica. The price listed is R$120 for 60 minutes. She asks if I want a complete service and of course I said yes. Pretty much the porn star experience with everything imaginable included and an offer not to include the condom, which took me by surprise.

So, now it is time to pay and I am thinking R$150-R$200. Nope. She says R$250. I tell her I am not a stupid gringo (well, at least I wasn't before not asking the prices before we started) and she says all the girls there charge the same for complete service to Brazilians and gringos alike. I politely ask to speak with the receptionist and she gives me the same story.

No one to blame but myself for this.

[url]http://www.terapiasonline.com.br/clinica.php?id=107[/url]

[url]http://www.terapiasonline.com.br/mastertherapy/[/url]

I second Sperto's post on nearly all points. If I stay only in Centro, everything is very convenient except I miss the beach and the holiday atmosphere of Copa, so I try to split the two. I include the main Lapa area as 'Centro' as you are close to Cinelandia and its not far to walk elsewhere plus, as Sperto says, you have the nightlife. The budget place next door to Ibis has rooms that are rather like a youth hostel. Bunk beds mostly. Not worth the small saving in my opinion. Ibis rates go through the roof of course in busy times like New Year and Carnaval, and also tend to get sold out if you don't book well ahead. There are some very cheap places to stay the other side of the square, but it is a very dirty street (can be entertaining for the SWs some of whom actualy live *on* the street and are amazingly brass and smelly, coming up to you in the fleapit outside bars). There are reasonably priced hotels in Lapa. Rua Joaquim Silva, for instance, has a strong backpacker following and there are hotels and prices to match. I've found quality of same-priced rooms even inside the same hotel here can vary enormously and it is best to do some crafty research or detective work. Many are not overly GF and you might find it worth comparing the cost of a double room (with associated frowns at breakfast etc) versus staying in a motel for a few days.

When in Centro, unless you are entertained by watching streetwalkers on a dirty praca, there are other things to do. Adjacent to the 'mini-rodoviario' beneath the big building between Erasmo Braga and Nilo Pecanha (exit Carioca metro, cross Rio Branco, walk through Praca Mario Lago past the vendors, cross street where busses exit building, on right side) there a small travessa has been pedestianized with restaurants and bars. The type with four of five friends, co-workers, girls drinking beer from the meter high things, in fun mode. Weeknights from after work to ten or so, easy to get invitited, sit down, join in, try your luck. This is better crowd than elsewhere (Uruguania for example) with similar set-up.

[QUOTE=Bravo;1360205]Common? Since when? I have NEVER heard of guys paying for electricity or gas unless they were renting for a month or longer.[/QUOTE]Yes you see this more and more now, I only paid once, it was about 7 reais a day if U-turn the A / C off when you go out, makes you more conservative with the resources. Electricity is expensive and I guess some guys abuse it and leave everything on all day, so this gets them to be more carefull.

[QUOTE=Sangue Bon;1360509]Yes you see this more and more now, I only paid once, it was about 7 reais a day if U-turn the A / C off when you go out, makes you more conservative with the resources. Electricity is expensive and I guess some guys abuse it and leave everything on all day, so this gets them to be more carefull.[/QUOTE]That sucks, having to pay for electricity is some bullshit. Next thing you know, the apartment owners will start charging you 25R a day for internet access.

I appreciate all the info on Centro hotels but the price quotes kinda defeat the purpose for me. If I was willing to pay 130 bucks a night, I might as well stay in Copa.

[QUOTE=Bravo; 1360552]That sucks, having to pay for electricity is some bullshit. Next thing you know, the apartment owners will start charging you 25R a day for internet access.

I appreciate all the info on Centro hotels but the price quotes kinda defeat the purpose for me. If I was willing to pay 130 bucks a night, I might as well stay in Copa.[/QUOTE]Well if cost/price is your main consideration, you could consider Praça Mauá and the few "motels" that surround the downtown area. Specifically, motels like Sao Bentao, Hotel Puma, and others. Back in the day, I was paying about R$35/day. I haven't stayed there lately, but the last time I checked, the price was about $70 / day, this was about 2 years ago, not sure what it is today. Anyway these rooms aren't that great (but have been upgraded over recent years) and are fairly safe and secure, with TV/Porn, A/C, but with no internet that I know of.

You're close to most all the downtown action, incl. Termas, boites, clubs and Lapa is just a 15-20min. walk away. Several buses to and from Copa run 24hrs / day and only takes about 15min. at night.

Just remember most of these "motels" are really 2-3 hr sex motels (if they haven't been converted yet) , but do offer daily rentals, that can be sometimes negotiated. I have often seen Brazilian business men and women staying at these motels as a cheap alternative to hotels.

[QUOTE=Spidy; 1360604]Well if cost / price is your main consideration, you could consider Praça Mauá and the few "motels" that surround the downtown area. Specifically, motels like Sao Bentao, Hotel Puma, and others. Back in the day, I was paying about R$35 / day. I haven't stayed there lately, but the last time I checked, the price was about $70 / day, this was about 2 years ago, not sure what it is today. Anyway these rooms aren't that great (but have been upgraded over recent years) and are fairly safe and secure, with TV / Porn, A / C, but with no internet that I know of.

You're close to most all the downtown action, incl. Termas, boites, clubs and Lapa is just a 15-20min. Walk away. Several buses to and from Copa run 24hrs / day and only takes about 15min. At night.

Just remember most of these "motels" are really 2-3 hr sex motels (if they haven't been converted yet) , but do offer daily rentals, that can be sometimes negotiated. I have often seen Brazilian business men and women staying at these motels as a cheap alternative to hotels.[/QUOTE]I paid a bit more than that this year, but it was during carnaval when prices are artifially high. Some of the streets, and I mean places to stay all the way between Maua and Vargas, look a bit grubby. I wouldn't recommend them to a beginner who might feel needlessly nervous. You should be careful of course, but also relaxed. It is more of a community than south of vargas and after a day or two the regulars at the bars and pool halls will start accepting you if you just blend a bit. The other nice thing about this area is that, unlike centro proper (south of vargas) there are late night bars and brothels. As Spidy says, there's many buses to everywhere and also the metro is not that far. For internet, I used the wifi at the bookshop on the corner of vargas and Rio Branco. Had a coffee, asked for the code, and it was fine for several days. If you stick to Maua itself of course it is brightly lit and usually plenty of people about but it can feel a bit [I]too[/I] bright. A few streets down can give you a bit more peace, enjoy the local shops etc.

There is great information on this thread! However I didn't see much on high end / super high end scene in Rio. Can someone please point me to any info that exists?

Thanks!

[QUOTE=Christopherd;1360683]The other nice thing about this area is that, unlike centro proper (south of vargas) there are late night bars and brothels. .[/QUOTE]A quick question from someone who has seen this, just to know where you're coming from: 'do you actually patronize these places? '

If you do, good for you, nothing better than being in your own happy zone. As for the pertinent description: late night bars habituated by the dregs of working proletariat, females (et. Al.) hovering in the shadow periphery waiting on a drunk who would be subject to the ridicule of his mates if caught in sight of her. Brothels staffed by whatever walked down from the nearest favela after finding someone to mind her kids. The nice things about this area.

As usual there will be a lot of shows on many places in Rio, on New Year.
In Copacabana I'm looking forward to the shows of Claudia Leitte and Grupo Revelação.
It's a shame that Cidade Negra won't appear in Copacabana, but only in Queimados and Madureira.

Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Palace)
20h – DJ Man
21h - Diogo Nogueira
22h30 – Sorriso Maroto
23h45 - Contagem regressiva para virada
0h15 - Claudia Leitte
1h - Vencedor The Voice Brasil
03h – G.R.E.S. Unidos da Tijuca

Praia de Copacabana (Rua Santa Clara)
20h – Mariene de Castro
21h – Olo Dance
22h – Baby do Brasil
23h45 – Virada
00h10 – Grupo Revelação
01h40 – G.R.E.S. Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
02h20 – G.R.E.S. Unidos de Vila Isabel

Complete list:
[url]http://www.jb.com.br/rio/noticias/2012/12/14/copacabana-virada-custara-r-17-mi-riotur-vai-desembolsar-para-outros-7-palcos-2/[/url]

I hope for good weather, but it has a tendency to almost always rain on New Years Eve in Rio.

[QUOTE=Sperto; 1360756]As usual there will be a lot of shows on many places in Rio, on New Year.

In Copacabana I'm looking forward to the shows of Claudia Leitte and Grupo Revelação.

It's a shame that Cidade Negra won't appear in Copacabana, but only in Queimados and Madureira.

Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Palace)

20h – DJ Man.

21h. Diogo Nogueira.

22h30 – Sorriso Maroto.

23h45. Contagem regressiva para virada.

0h15. Claudia Leitte.

1h. Vencedor The Voice Brasil.

03h – G. R. E. S. Unidos the Tijuca.

Praia de Copacabana (Rua Santa Clara)

20h – Mariene de Castro.

21h – Olo Dance.

22h – Baby do Brasil.

23h45 – Virada.

00h10 – Grupo Revelação.

01h40 – G. R. E. S. Acadêmicos do Salgueiro.

02h20 – G. R. E. S. Unidos de Vila Isabel.

Complete list:

[url]http://www.jb.com.br/rio/noticias/2012/12/14/copacabana-virada-custara-r-17-mi-riotur-vai-desembolsar-para-outros-7-palcos-2/[/url]

I hope for good weather, but it has a tendency to almost always rain on New Years Eve in Rio.[/QUOTE]I've been thinking about flying down for maybe 3 days around new years. I've never been in Rio for new years and I heard it's pretty cool. Only thing is I also heard that the scene is dead on and around new years. I don't mind a slow scene as I would be there not just for mongering but I don't think I can handle a non exitant scene. Ie no termas / balcony / escorts / etc. What's your take? I'm guessing the termas will probably be either dead or closed on Mon (12/31) , Tue (1/1) , and maybe even Wed (1/2). That might be a deal breaker for me.

[QUOTE=Mongmann;1360770]I've been thinking about flying down for maybe 3 days around new years. I've never been in Rio for new years and I heard it's pretty cool. Only thing is I also heard that the scene is dead on and around new years. I don't mind a slow scene as I would be there not just for mongering but I don't think I can handle a non exitant scene. Ie no termas / balcony / escorts / etc. What's your take? I'm guessing the termas will probably be either dead or closed on Mon (12/31) , Tue (1/1) , and maybe even Wed (1/2). That might be a deal breaker for me.[/QUOTE]
Maybe some puteiros are open on the 31:st, I'm not sure. On the 1:st of January they will be closed. On the 2:nd they should be open.
Balcony is open all days and is propably filled with GP's. Who knows, maybe even some stunners (I also believe in Papá Noel).

If you spend New Year on Copacabana beach I'm sure there will be some girls (pro's or regulars) giving you invites. With 2-3 million people around the chances are quite good.

[QUOTE=Mongmann;1360770]I've been thinking about flying down for maybe 3 days around new years. I've never been in Rio for new years and I heard it's pretty cool. Only thing is I also heard that the scene is dead on and around new years. I don't mind a slow scene as I would be there not just for mongering but I don't think I can handle a non exitant scene. Ie no termas / balcony / escorts / etc. What's your take? I'm guessing the termas will probably be either dead or closed on Mon (12/31) , Tue (1/1) , and maybe even Wed (1/2). That might be a deal breaker for me.[/QUOTE]Its rough to find a place that will only rent to you for 3 days. Damn near every apartment owner wants to to book a 10 day stay. I have been to Rio for 3 New years Eve celebrations, its fun, but it isn't worth the high costs that you have to pay. After the fireworks, everyone just wanders around the beach drinking and eating, nothing to write home about.

I am really suprised there isn't any big name American acts performing this year for NYE. Does teh meridien hotel have its own seperate fireworks display anymore? (I know the hotel has a new name, but i cant remember what it is)

A bunch of fetishes fulfilled here. Jasmin is a tiny coffee-coloured 19 year old with braces and tattoos who came out chewing gum. Sounds bad, but no, she was spunky and funny and cute. We had a ball. I was sucking her nipples and noticed her breasts seemed hard. And they seemed to be causing her pain. I soon found out why, when I tasted her milk. She was lactating! I don't speak Portuguese but she seemed to say that she lost the baby at five months, which is sad (though, why is she lactating then?). Anyway, she did not have any stretch marks from giving birth, and her shaved pussy was tight.

I found her at Avenida Rio Branco 185, Sala 2114. The price is now $100 for 40 minutes, and you have to walk up from 20th floor in order to get there. The door is not marked, so just ring the bell and wait. A procession of girls will come out, you kiss them on both cheeks then make your choice.