See it once in your life.
[QUOTE=KevinWhite;3088941]Thanks for your comments, everyone. I think you're all right. Spanish is my real interest and learning it is my biggest hobby, so I'll keep going with that. I'll check out Rio without trying too hard to learn Portuguese and then (if I really like Brazil), I'll make the time commitment to learn Portuguese as well for future trips.
One last question for you guys. Is it worth it to go to Rio during Carnaval for the first trip, or is it overrated? And do the prices for the girls go up significantly during Carnaval as well?[/QUOTE]Yes, it's worth it and yes, it's overrated. You need to visit it once, and put the been there done that stamp on it. It's more than just high prices and tourist trap. The electricity is real and palpable. Mr. E compared it to Mardi Gras, I think the comparison is fair (it celebrates the same occasion, LOL), but Rio celebrations add their own carioca-infused insanity.
Speaking of high prices. I remember arriving in Rio without an accommodation, but I had a friend in Rio, so I wouldn't have been sleeping on the street. That was nearly 20 years ago, so no Airbnb yet. Next day I rented an apartment from a local broker for everyday, not Carnival-inflated price, but it all depends on your risk tolerance level. There will be a reality check for many landlords and rental managers, 2-3 days after the Carnival starts.
Push comes to shove, there are love motels to get a roof over your head.
Of course, programas cost more, but not crazy more from what I remember, and termas stay open too, kkkk.
Barravips, Mabs, Fairmont, Dolce Vita, the dollar
I recently arrived in Rio and my first day being tired I wanted to get something delivered so I texted 6 barravip girls to come to my apartment. One quoted me 2,500 reais, most just said no and one quoted me 1,100 reais plus uber, I passed and thought of Mr International recently said to a poster offer her 200 reais, this is worlds apart. So I'm close to Mabs and walked there to get something to eat, it was early like 8 30 and I saw a cute girl and called her over, 22 yo from Manaus, price was reasonable and she was young and tight which made it all worth while. Then I asked a girl I know who is a dental student when is a good time to go to the fairmont hotel to find girls, she said 8 pm, I got there at 8 30 Thursday night, I was the only one sitting at the bar. So I left and had dinner at Don camillo where I've been eating there for 30 years. I didn't want to stay out late but it now was 11:30 so I went to dolce vita, the guy at the door told me the place was empty then I see 2 girls walk right in. I get a drink and figure I'll wait till something good walks in. One of the 2 girls approaches me, we speak, she's pretty cool and not bad looking, her friend is her roommate, they live in Barra and Are teachers. I take them both out and pay my bill 250 reais, 1 drink and 2 girls, I was there 20 minutes. Both these girls were great and very reasonable price at least for me. Unfortunately dv is too late for me now to wait for peak time at 1 am, last time I was there I got to sleep at 6 am and ruined my whole next day, can't do this anymore. The dollar and the Real have been at 1 to 5 for a long time now and prices in Rio are not cheap at all anymore and I don't see the dollar getting any stronger than where it is right now, maybe even getting weaker. 25 years ago it was almost 1 to 4 and with inflation there is no buying power unfortunately. This is why when a girl asks for 2,500 reais it's shocking, I can't imagine who is paying that price.
Salvador Carnival T-shirts
It has nothing to do with Rio, just to clarify misunderstandings regarding Salvador Carnival T-shirts.
In the Salvador Carnival there are three circuits: Dodô, Osmar, and Batatinha (Pelourinho). Dodô and Osmar have blocos with trio elétricos. To participate in a bloco you need to buy a abadá. The abadá is a T-shirt that works like a ticket to participate inside that specific bloco. The most popular blocos can cost like up to 3000 reais. The less popular blocos are quite cheap. The people who party on the street, outside the blocos are called pipoca.