solacesoul

Interesting observation, funny you bring this up! 
Yeah. There are only a few of them … like you can count them on one hand — but that handful of clients that are handsome enough to get mistaken as a garoto by both the other clients and the guys who sell their wares at the saunas… they are quite popular and always get the rock star treatment at the saunas!
Being here in Brazil a lot from the bar chatter and personal observations, I know of a few. One I know is a buff Russian businessman. Another is a biracial American retired Hollywood exec. I see them here often. They both own vacation properties in Rio. They are regular / semi-regular clients, both look like they could have worked at 117, 202 and Lagoa back in the time when they were of that age.
Sure, there are the clients who post here and seem to be quite popular here on these message boards, maybe due to their history and storytelling, but in real life at the saunas, I haven’t really seen any clients with that kind of magnetism in the saunas with garotos de programa — except for the few I just mentioned. And I’m making these observations over lots of time coming to Brazil, as a regular-looking American schlub who’s pushing 60, and who has always a thing for hot-looking men. 
Of course, money always helps… 🤣 
So… handsome, rich and charming guys always go to the front of the line. A reflection of how things work in the outside world, I suppose! 🤣 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

Yes that’s it .. thanks mate 

The name of that escort-less sauna in Ipanema is Rio G Sauna. It’s on Rua Teixeira de Melo, halfway between the beach and the park. 

The name of that escort-less sauna in Ipanema is Rio G Sauna. It’s on Rua Teixeira de Melo, halfway between the beach and the park. 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

this is exactly where the “ugly American” stereotype comes from.  
The assumption is that for money, the locals will tolerate your behavior and/or cultural insensitivity. 
as for providers - I’ve seen plenty of guys in Thermas decline clients who wanted to pay, for whatever reason. A bad vibe is a bad vibe - money becomes irrelevant. 
they know how to spot the problematic clients.
language skills not required - a good attitude is 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

If you’re referring to the saunas in Rio with pay boys, you will almost never have a problem telling the difference between a working guy (“garoto de programa” or the more familiar “boy”)  and a client. First of all, at saunas with garotos, there will almost never be a working guy there who isn’t there to make money, unless he is there exclusively to see one client — and in that case, you’ll either approach him alone and he’ll tell you he’s there for another client only, or you will already see him with that client (in that case, never approach when he is with the client — this is completely disrespectful to the client and could cause you a world of embarrassment… or even hurt).
If you’re asking how to physically tell the difference between garotos and clients at saunas, this will never be a problem 99% of the time. In spite of what may be claimed here by some, very few clients except for the unicorns look like they could be garotos de programa in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. In 15 years of regular visits, I’ve personally only seen maybe 4-5 clients at the most who in person would be or were mistaken for sauna garotos in real life and in real time.
Very few non-GP saunas in Rio or São Paulo even allow working guys there, so it’s safe to assume no one at those saunas wants to be paid for a sexual encounter (unless they disclose this to you upfront). They are closer in operation to a bathhouse in the USA. 
 
 
 
 

This garoto de programa “Kadu Olivier” advertised regularly on Netgay and Garotocomlocal.
(translated into English)
Call boy arrested after extorting victims on dates  
By Jackson Silva 04/17/2024 at 08:08 am • Updated 1 day ago  
His partner and girlfriend were also arrested in the act; crime was registered in RJA prostitute and two other people were arrested on suspicion of robbery and extortion after arranging romantic meetings with victims in a building in Rio de Janeiro.  
According to police, the man attracted victims through a dating app. Inside the apartment, in Copacabana, people were forced to make transfers via Pix, in addition to suffering extortion and threats.  
One of the victims paid R$400 to carry out the program. When he arrived at the property, he was threatened and forced to transfer R$3,000.  
Lucas Roberto Miranda de Oliveira identified himself as “Kadu Olivier” on same-sex dating apps. He had the help of Marcus Neves Queiroz Amorim, who used the nickname “MC Guimê” and surrendered the victims, and Adriana Cristina Silva, Lucas's girlfriend. The three were arrested red-handed following a complaint.  
The victim who was extorted stated that the criminals threatened his family and that Marcus sent an audio saying he was a member of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a criminal faction in São Paulo. The bandit still demanded another R$10,000.
The criminal trio will be charged with criminal association, extortion and possession of drugs for their own use. Lucas, “Kadu Oliver”, is still responsible for trafficking.
Garoto de programa é preso após extorquir vítimas em encontros - SBT News
SBTNEWS.SBT.COM.BR Comparsa e namorada também foram presos em flagrante; crime foi registrado no RJ  
 

Members have stated this fact many times in this very long thread.
As a constant reader, poster, and commenter on these forums, you should probably have known about the best hours before you went to Barcelona. 

I sadly recognize him and have met him personally. He was very lovely and would dine at that Chicken place ( Gaitos Grill) in Ipanema on certain nights, with let's just say friends and boys from the favellas.  The chicken place being on the same street parallel to the gay barakas 
Sad to see this. 
My MO in Rio is basically one card and ID, one cheap watch, and just a little bit of cash.  I only bring my phone if I have a friend to watch it. I once left my flip flops on the beach one of those sellers stole it. I had to get on a cab to Shopping Leblon ( barefoot) to buy something to walk on.
The rest of my valuables in the managers safe at my hotel. 
I know there are folks that love boys from the favellas  . Think with your mind not your cock. 

I think your comments need context.
You’re from Argentina & speak fluent Spanish - this is not in any way similar to the average older white gringo visiting Rio who speaks no Spanish or Portuguese.  And you have contacts among the sex-workers that other visitors do not not have.  
Your comments could be misconstrued to mean what is typical for you is typical for others, which is absolutely not the case.

FYI:
Although the hotel is spectacular, the area around it is notoriously dangerous for visiting gringos. 

Just reported on the news in Rio:
The alleged killer confesses that the Cuban almost ex-husband offered him $1 million reais (~$200,000 USD) to kill the American art dealer husband. 

Just reported on the news in Rio:
The alleged killer confesses that the Cuban almost ex-husband offered him $1 million reais (~$200,000 USD) to kill the American art dealer husband. 

The ex Daniel does not live in Cuba. He was brought to Brazil about 14 years ago seeking political asylum due to sexual orientation persecution assisted by the dead client Sikkema. He has Brazilian residency as asylee, and a U.S. green card through marriage to Sikkema. He was living back and forth between Brazil and the USA, and trying to live in the USA full time with the 14 year old son born to a surrogate in CA. He is currently in the USA. Due to his political asylum status and previous prison stint in Cuba,  as well as his memoir that trashed the Cuban government, returning to Cuba even just to visit family would not be a wise move for him. 

The Brazilian press has already implicated this with interviews of the suspect’s family who claim the same thing. This had also been the word on the Rio streets (or rather, the saunas) from the day that it happened.
The Cubano ex-jinetero husband isn’t publicly a suspect. Yet. But I bet talks are going on between state departments to make sure that he doesn’t catch any flights! 
 

this has been written about ad nauseum.  
the real question is it safe for older (white) gringos traveling alone & who don’t speak Portuguese, as sex tourists to visit Rio ? Now add in mixing with much younger unknown local people who know you have money & then frequently bringing those people back to wherever the gringo is staying.  Thats more like the real question & scenario 
given everything I’ve personally witnessed in Rio - no, it’s not safe compared to other major global tourist destinations.

There’s no question Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with the mix of tropics, mountains, beach & beautiful people.  Yet, it is incredibly dangerous.  
For older gringos looking for sex, you’re basically a slowly walking target.  If you think you fit in and they don’t know where you’re from - wrong.  If you think they don’t know what you’re doing there - wrong.  And that doesn’t matter except it makes you stand out as even more of a target. 
Americans have this odd presumption of safety & security and it puts them at significant risk when they fail to understand the actual environment and how they appear in that environment.  

The OP probably knows Brazil better than anyone here & frequently posts how dangerous it is for tourists.  nobody seems to remember that for whatever reason 
and back to topic about the murder of the American man - did it turn out it was safe for him to visit Rio ?  NO, didn’t work out so well 

Suspeito de matar galerista americano no Rio é preso
OGLOBO.GLOBO.COM Brent Sikkema, de 75 anos, foi encontrado morto em casa, com perfurações pelo corpo Translated into English from O Globo:
Suspect of killing American gallery owner in Rio is arrested
Brent Sikkema, 75, was found dead in his home, with stab wounds to his body
Per Giulia Ventura - Rio de Janeiro
01/18/2024 08:50 Updated 42 minutes ago
This Thursday, the suspect in the murder of American galleristBrent Fay Sikkema, aged 75, was arrested. There was an open temporary arrest warrant against Cuban Alejandro Triana Trevez. The arrest was made by teams from the Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC), with the support of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) on Highway BR-050, in Minas Gerais.
— Crime in the South Zone of Rio: Suspect of killing American gallery owner took dollars from the house where the murder took place
— According to friends: Gallery owner killed in Rio was going through a million-dollar fight to get a divorce and see his son
Police said Trevez took three thousand dollars from Sikkema's home. According to investigations, the suspect was in São Paulo, came to Rio to murder the American and returned to the state after the crime. Afterwards, he went to Minas, where he was trying to escape when he was arrested at a gas station between Uberaba and Uberlândia.
According to the police, Trevez is the man who appears in the Gabriel company security camera images , which captured his arrival and departure from the American's house. The suspect stayed at the property for around 15 minutes.
Sikkema's body was found inside his house, on Rua Abreu Fialho, in Jardim Botânico, South Zone of Rio, with puncture marks, on the 14th. He was a co-owner of a famous gallery in New York, in the United States .
Brent was found by his lawyer and friend, Simone Nunes. Sikkema came to Rio a maximum of three times a year and stayed in the property where he was killed, bought around 10 years ago. The region houses the studios of artists such as Beatriz Milhazes, Adriana Varejão and Gabriela Machado.
Simone went to the house because she was surprised by Sikkema's lack of responses over the weekend. According to the police, she had the keys to the property and, upon entering the room, found her friend dead in the bed.
The lawyer would meet with the gallery owner last Monday and, after that meeting, he would return to the United States. The trip was scheduled for this Tuesday.
Gallery in Chelsea
Sikkema was co-owner of Sikkema Jenkins & Co , in Chelsea. The gallerist was defined as “a wonderful person, very kind, generous, defender of social issues” by his friend and lawyer. He left a son.
The American barely spoke Portuguese, so he didn't have much contact with his neighbors, who only knew him by sight. When he was in Rio, he usually spent the day away, only returning to sleep. A person who works in the region explained that the street where the house is located is very quiet and that everyone goes home early.
On his social media profile, Brent shared moments from some of his trips around the world. He made no secret of his destination preferences being Brazil and Cuba. During trips to the island in Central America, he showed his approximately 1,000 followers everyday scenes, such as the sunset in the capital Havana, a bouquet of white butterfly flowers, a national symbol. The American spoke of the two countries in a publication of a landscape in Zurich, Switzerland, when he wrote:
"Zurich tonight. I'm usually a chaotic guy — you know my kind of place — where the fighting is real every day — Cuba and Brazil — but I have to admit that an occasional visit to Switzerland is something of a relief!"
Alejandro Triana Trevez is accused of killing American Brent Sikkema — Photo: Reproduction

This is an odd take. Having an apartment in Rio isn’t what got him murdered. Whether he was killed by a stranger or someone he knew, this could have happened at an AirBnB, or even a love motel (as recent events have shown). 

Suspeito de matar galerista americano no Rio é preso
OGLOBO.GLOBO.COM Brent Sikkema, de 75 anos, foi encontrado morto em casa, com perfurações pelo corpo Translated into English from O Globo:
Suspect of killing American gallery owner in Rio is arrested
Brent Sikkema, 75, was found dead in his home, with stab wounds to his body
Per Giulia Ventura - Rio de Janeiro
01/18/2024 08:50 Updated 42 minutes ago
This Thursday, the suspect in the murder of American galleristBrent Fay Sikkema, aged 75, was arrested. There was an open temporary arrest warrant against Cuban Alejandro Triana Trevez. The arrest was made by teams from the Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC), with the support of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) on Highway BR-050, in Minas Gerais.
— Crime in the South Zone of Rio: Suspect of killing American gallery owner took dollars from the house where the murder took place
— According to friends: Gallery owner killed in Rio was going through a million-dollar fight to get a divorce and see his son
Police said Trevez took three thousand dollars from Sikkema's home. According to investigations, the suspect was in São Paulo, came to Rio to murder the American and returned to the state after the crime. Afterwards, he went to Minas, where he was trying to escape when he was arrested at a gas station between Uberaba and Uberlândia.
According to the police, Trevez is the man who appears in the Gabriel company security camera images , which captured his arrival and departure from the American's house. The suspect stayed at the property for around 15 minutes.
Sikkema's body was found inside his house, on Rua Abreu Fialho, in Jardim Botânico, South Zone of Rio, with puncture marks, on the 14th. He was a co-owner of a famous gallery in New York, in the United States .
Brent was found by his lawyer and friend, Simone Nunes. Sikkema came to Rio a maximum of three times a year and stayed in the property where he was killed, bought around 10 years ago. The region houses the studios of artists such as Beatriz Milhazes, Adriana Varejão and Gabriela Machado.
Simone went to the house because she was surprised by Sikkema's lack of responses over the weekend. According to the police, she had the keys to the property and, upon entering the room, found her friend dead in the bed.
The lawyer would meet with the gallery owner last Monday and, after that meeting, he would return to the United States. The trip was scheduled for this Tuesday.
Gallery in Chelsea
Sikkema was co-owner of Sikkema Jenkins & Co , in Chelsea. The gallerist was defined as “a wonderful person, very kind, generous, defender of social issues” by his friend and lawyer. He left a son.
The American barely spoke Portuguese, so he didn't have much contact with his neighbors, who only knew him by sight. When he was in Rio, he usually spent the day away, only returning to sleep. A person who works in the region explained that the street where the house is located is very quiet and that everyone goes home early.
On his social media profile, Brent shared moments from some of his trips around the world. He made no secret of his destination preferences being Brazil and Cuba. During trips to the island in Central America, he showed his approximately 1,000 followers everyday scenes, such as the sunset in the capital Havana, a bouquet of white butterfly flowers, a national symbol. The American spoke of the two countries in a publication of a landscape in Zurich, Switzerland, when he wrote:
"Zurich tonight. I'm usually a chaotic guy — you know my kind of place — where the fighting is real every day — Cuba and Brazil — but I have to admit that an occasional visit to Switzerland is something of a relief!"
Alejandro Triana Trevez is accused of killing American Brent Sikkema — Photo: Reproduction

this could happen to any visitor to Rio - “lifestyle” or not.  It’s a sad & tragic story in any context.
the thing that everyone forgets is there are so many desperate people in Rio & when that meets wealthy tourists, then anything can happen.  I don’t remember these same type stories from 10-15 years ago - robberies & muggings yes, murder no.  The same type crimes are happening to tourists that understand Rio well & Brazilians too.