Rio de Janeiro Reports

**TomJackin** · 07-30-26 06:22

I have done a lot of research and gathered information from this thread, especially from other member's trip reports.

I have questions about 4 places:

Casanarus – does not come up in google.

Club Sexo – a poster wrote it was near Confeiteria Colombo; can't find it.

Club Mix Bar – is this place for swingers?

Club 21 De Lux – again, it does not come up in google.

I have a list of around 20 other places I want to visit.

It should make for one good trip report.

Thanks.

**WyattEarp** · 07-29-26 14:35

Originally Posted by OasisSecret [View Original Post]

So I know the best way is probably just using the ATM to get local currency, but let's say for discretion purposes I will have US Dollars. What are my best options to exchange $300-400 in Rio?

You can find currency exchange places (cambios) all over Copacabana, Ipanema and Centro. If the rate sounds good from the first one, take it. If you like a deal, visit a few cambios to compare.

Banks generally do not offer competitive rates, but they do the job.

Once in a great while, some member reports that XYZ cambio on such and such street is offering a lights out rate. When the currency rate for exchanging dollars or euros into reais is better than the published market rate, I believe there's something odd going on. Perhaps some drug money is being laundered into dollars at that location for a brief period. That is really of no concern to us tourists, but interesting nonetheless.

As an anecdote, my tour guide on my first trip took me to a jeweler who gave me a great rate. Using my imagination, jewelers do a lot of business selling gold and other items to locals for cash. Gold is always a hedge against inflation especially in South America where inflation can pop up quickly. That jeweler might also want to keep some transactions off his books.

**ZuluTango25** · 07-29-26 04:44

Originally Posted by Tochka [View Original Post]

https://youtu.be/7r6_Bl5UFRM?is=0CzXINHiDtE0YV4-

Sorry to hear your experience was not smooth as mine or dozens of others.

I followed the exact guide, each and every step, outlined by brother TMAX youtube video above link and received my official CPF number doc by email in less than three business, Thur to Tues.
I never went in person or visited the RF office , and have same passport as TMAX

For Axel H A friendly brasilian garota girlfriend can be helpful on the topic of CPF. . the gov. Br has a website online to check valid CPF numbers.

Hi Tochka,

I followed the same procedure as well. In some YouTube videos they said to apply in different jurisdictions if if gets denied.

May be worth giving a shot next time.

**Rahsta** · 07-29-26 03:33

Originally Posted by OasisSecret [View Original Post]

So I know the best way is probably just using the ATM to get local currency, but let's say for discretion purposes I will have US Dollars. What are my best options to exchange $300-400 in Rio?

You have to Google "cambio". Alot of cambios are travel agencies also. Or you can goto a Western Union, there is one in Centro that I went to.

**JaySingh1010** · 07-29-26 02:55

Hello Members,

I saw someone created a map and list of prices in SP page. I could not find similar in this Rio page. Can someone please share it with me? I will travel to Rio and Sp in August.

Thanks.

**Tochka** · 07-29-26 00:03

Originally Posted by ZuluTango25 [View Original Post]

Well, they denied my CPF application and asked me to appear in person.

Exact verbiage is we could not process your application at this time and request you to appear in person at a local office.

https://youtu.be/7r6_Bl5UFRM?is=0CzXINHiDtE0YV4-

Sorry to hear your experience was not smooth as mine or dozens of others.

I followed the exact guide, each and every step, outlined by brother TMAX youtube video above link and received my official CPF number doc by email in less than three business, Thur to Tues.
I never went in person or visited the RF office , and have same passport as TMAX

For Axel H A friendly brasilian garota girlfriend can be helpful on the topic of CPF. . the gov. Br has a website online to check valid CPF numbers. They also block CPF numbers for various tax reasons and legal issues.

I had "mas e meno" or "so-so" experience with those online generators. Got tired. Of the BS so I went legit.

** i kick my self not doing it sooner because my process was much easier than expected.**

**ZuluTango25** · 07-28-26 23:10

Originally Posted by Steve9696 [View Original Post]

As you are not from Brazil you need to go in person. It is not at all easy unless you speak pretty fair Portuguese. Unless you really really need it prob not worth your time.

Yes, looks like it is a process and not worth spending in person time.

I gave it a shot considering I am going to do a bit of bus travel in northern Brazil this time and it would ease the process of buying bus tickets.

**ZuluTango25** · 07-28-26 23:07

Originally Posted by AxelHeyst [View Original Post]

This is probably a naive question, but I will ask it anyway: do fake CPF numbers generated on a website work and for how long?

I signed up for a cultural trip to attend a native ceremony in Xingu region and the tour guide advised me against using fake CPF numbers for hotel bookings and bus tickets. She said sometimes transactions gets flagged and it is almost impossible to get refunds. She said even using someone's valid CPF is not good considering it is tied to individual name.

**OasisSecret** · 07-28-26 21:17

So I know the best way is probably just using the ATM to get local currency, but let's say for discretion purposes I will have US Dollars. What are my best options to exchange $300-400 in Rio?

**Steve 9696** · 07-28-26 19:24

Originally Posted by ZuluTango25 [View Original Post]

Well, they denied my CPF application and asked me to appear in person.

Exact verbiage is we could not process your application at this time and request you to appear in person at a local office.

As you are not from Brazil you need to go in person. It is not at all easy unless you speak pretty fair Portuguese. Unless you really really need it prob not worth your time.

**Axel Heyst** · 07-28-26 18:14

Originally Posted by ZuluTango25 [View Original Post]

Well, they denied my CPF application and asked me to appear in person.

Exact verbiage is we could not process your application at this time and request you to appear in person at a local office.

This is probably a naive question, but I will ask it anyway: do fake CPF numbers generated on a website work and for how long?

**ZuluTango25** · 07-28-26 17:10

Originally Posted by ZuluTango25 [View Original Post]

Thank you sir. I applied for a CPF last week. Hoping to get a response sometime this week. Let's see.

Well, they denied my CPF application and asked me to appear in person.

Exact verbiage is we could not process your application at this time and request you to appear in person at a local office.

**ZuluTango25** · 07-28-26 01:14

Originally Posted by Tochka [View Original Post]

My experience as a US Passport holder in Brazil (no CPF).

Buying bus tickets without a CPF.

The easiest option if you don't have a CPF is to buy your ticket in person.

So Paulo: Go to Terminal Rodovirio Tiet with your US Passport. The ticket office will issue your ticket without a CPF. I paid with a credit card.

Rio de Janeiro: Same deal at Terminal Rodovirio Novo Rio (Novo Rio). Just walk up to the ticket counter with your passport and pay by credit card.

Ordering stuff online without a CPF.

Before I got my own CPF, with consent to help me out I used a friendly (garota) CPF to order things online. We were banging all the time and she loves getting gifts delivered.

I always used my own name and my Airbnb address or her address for delivery. It worked fine for iFood, Shopee, and Mercado Livre, Flowers delivered to her on Valentine day..

Thank you sir. I applied for a CPF last week. Hoping to get a response sometime this week. Let's see.

**ZuluTango25** · 07-28-26 01:12

Originally Posted by Bearsi [View Original Post]

I used BUSBUD.

They have an App which is way easier and you can switch the currency from brl to usd.

They also let you choose the seat options. I wanted a leito cama from my trip to SP to RJ and some of the other bus websites only let you choose the cheapest options and if you wanted to upgrade you needed to call or book in person. Stupid.

I actually fell asleep for my first bus and had to rebook for another. It was $30 so not a big deal. Bought the tickets the day before and they have all the bus companies.

I think they needed your passport number to ID you since no CPF but that's understandable. You can pay with any credit card.

Thank you. I was able to buy tickets at brazilbybus using US credit card and passport # as ID. Now it's a long process to confirm tickets with Xavante.