Firts trip to rio, need help

[Guest coolguy]

Well finally decided to go! august 4-24.

1)it's the low season but what about the climate? sunny,ideal for swimming or cloudy and depressing?

2) i also need some advice on which hotel to book. What about a nice modern decorated ocean view room that doesn't cost too much?

3) And are there any gyms for workout there?

Hmm and i don' t speak Portuguese. Is that a big problem?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

[+ Axiom2001]

Fellow respondent, I have yet to visit Brazil; I plan to visit this coming October (which is the beginning of spring). Since I have known of this impending visit, I have surfed and have responded to this particular site quite regularly (almost daily). All of your questions can be answered if you go through the archives meticulously and read and jot down the pertinent information from those who have been to Brazil many times.

 

I plan to use and am currently using the information that is contained so succinctly here. By your doing this, the previous respondents can answer other questions. I hope my advice helps. Maybe one of these days we'll meet in one of the cities of Brazil.

[LAShowbiz]

Coolguy...

 

I am making my first trip to Rio in August as well. I finally decided to go after reading TomCal's reports. He and another person will be staying at the Marriot I believe.

 

I decided to book a local hotel. I figured instead of paying $260 for a room, I could get a nice local hotel for $100 and save the rest for the Rio boys. I just emailed the California Othon Hotel... it's perfectly located next to the Marriot and has great oceanviews and balconies. All the rooms are suites supposedly. The Othon chain came recommended.

 

I've met TomCal... another guy (that I haven't met) is also from California. Gosh, all us California boyz down there... it should be a blast!! BTW, I don't speak a single word of Portugese... and I don't think my French will help!

 

Quick question...

 

To all those that have been down there, do you think wearing nice clothes will target muggers? My main concern is when it comes to fashion, I seriously only have nice, designer stuff. I have over 30 pairs of Pradas and Armanis. Now, if Rio is so poor, how on earth will they know if my shoes cost $50 or $500??

 

The reason I'm asking is I'm debating if I need to hit Banana Republic and buy some cheap clothes and shoes. I hear it may get chilly, so will I be targeted if I wear nice jackets? Then again, how will they know if the jacket cost $20 or $2000.

 

Experienced Rio travellers, I need your advice!! Thanks!!!!

[Guest Jake]

I've just returned from Sao Paulo and Rio. It is, of course, their winter. In Sao Paulo during my first week (6/27-7/4) it was high 60s, low 70s days and 10 degrees cooler at night, mostly clear. In Rio the following week it was slightly warmer, a mix of clear and overcast. On a day trip to Pedropolous - a great and interesting trip if you want to learn a lot more about Brazilian history - which is in the mountains, it was about 20 degrees cooler. I then returned to Sao Paulo where it had become mostly chilly with intermitent rain (50-60 degrees).

 

The universal advice from all Brazilians and Americans living in Brazil is DO NOT WEAR JEWELRY OR FLASH MONEY. And DO NOT take unknown boys back to your hotel. That being said, I have always found Brazil to be a very safe and comfortable place, even in some funky places but with trusted Brazilian friends. But I'm reasonably prudent. Brazil also has a fairly strong sense of fashion and I don't think your designer duds are a problem.

[Guest Thunderbuns]

>I decided to book a local hotel. I figured instead of

>paying $260 for a room, I could get a nice local hotel for

>$100 and save the rest for the Rio boys>

 

>I have over 30 pairs of Pradas and Armanis. Now, if

>Rio is so poor, how on earth will they know if my shoes cost

>$50 or $500??

 

 

As I very much doubt if you are taking "over 30 pairs of Pradas and Armanis" on a vacation, I can see no valid reason for this gratuitous information - unless you are trying to impress us - which I'm sure is not the case!

 

 

>The reason I'm asking is I'm debating if I need to hit

>Banana Republic and buy some cheap clothes and shoes. I

>hear it may get chilly, so will I be targeted if I wear nice

>jackets? Then again, how will they know if the jacket cost

>$20 or $2000.

 

Pardon me while I take a barf break.

 

The thing that I find so funny about your post is that if you are so rich as to have 30+ pairs of designer shoes and $2000 jackets - then why the fuck are you trying to save money on cheaper hotels? Surely a big spender like you can afford to spring a measly $260 for a decent hotel and not have to save that money so you can spend it on boys.

 

YOU SIR ARE A PATHETIC JOKE!

 

Thunderbuns

[trilingual]

Showbiz, hon (and any other first-timers worried about security issues in Brazil): the main secret to not being a target is to make yourself as inconspicuous as possible. Well-to-do Brazilians know this and practice this.

 

DON'T take or use any jewelry, real or fake. You won't need any, and it's just an invitation to a mugging. For a watch, use a cheap plastic digital one. NOT something that looks like it could be valuable. Compreende?

 

Clothes: Again, be as inconspicuous as possible. Depending on your taste and physique, you'll get by perfectly fine with some jeans or chinos, or maybe bermudas if it's a hot day. No-name T-shirts or polo shirts are your best choices for tops. You might want to bring one or two short or long-sleeve dressier shirts if you're planning to go to a nicer restaurant. Go for subdued colors and patterns. You don't have to take a lot of stuff. Remember, once you get there you can look around to see what the locals are wearing and buy some stuff in Brazil to blend in even more.

 

Shoes: Bring what's comfortable; you'll be doing a lot of walking. If you're going to be wearing jeans or bermudas, most local guys wear them using athletic shoes. Again, avoid obviously expensive new athletic shoes. Brazilians know the brands and the prices, so you don't want to tempt fate.

 

Jackets: If you mean sport coats/blazers, leave them home because you'll never use one. (You would if you were visiting much dressier Buenos Aires.) Bring a lightweight, easily packable microfiber windbreaker if you're going in the Southern winter (which August is) when it can drop into the 60's and get windy and rainy for a few days at a time. If you're going to be somewhere like São Paulo or Petropolis, which are at higher altitudes and cooler, especially on winter nights, you also might want to bring along a light sweater.

 

Whatever you do, DON'T overpack. You're not going to Palm Beach for the season, so you don't need a steamer trunk, and you don't need three changes of outfits per day. Rio just isn't that kind of town. And remember, just try to dress inconspicuously and blend in to increase your security. You'll stand out, as it is, because of your physical appearance and body language, chances are (not to mention your actual language the minute you open your mouth) so the more you can do to minimize that by the way you dress, the better off you are.

 

Something else to pay attention to is cameras/video stuff. Fortunately, a lot of equipment is much smaller these days so it's easier to carry and conceal. It's best if you're going out picture-taking, particularly at the beach, to be with someone else who can keep an eye on stuff. If you're alone, go take your pictures then take the camera back to your hotel room before you go back to the beach to sunbathe and cruise. You'll greatly diminish the chances of having your camera ripped off that way. If you're going around town sightseeing and picture-taking, and plan on taking public transportation, get a plastic shopping bag from one of the local supermarkets or Lojas Americanas (like Woolworth's, it's my favorite Rio boutique!) and carry your stuff inconspicuosly in the shopping bag.

 

And finally, don't carry all your cash and credit/ATM cards on you if you don't need them, and never take them to the beach. Leave them hidden in your hotel room. The only things to take to the beach are your towel, sunglasses, lotion, 10/15 reais for drinks/snacks and (if you're staying at an apartment) your housekey. If you're staying at a hotel, leave the roomkey at the desk before you go to the beach.

 

Tri hath spoken. Go have fun!

[trilingual]

P.S. Shoes for the beach: You'll need some, and particularly at Copacabana, where the beach is wide (like in Santa Monica) and where the sand, particularly near the sidewalk, can get REALLY hot on a hot day. Brazilians wear rubber flip-flop sandals or sockless athletic shoes or boat shoes to the beach.

 

P.P.S. Beach fashion etiquette: It's OK to wear a very skimpy speedo on the beach, and maybe to wear it (perhaps with a t-shirt on) while sitting at the sidewalk cafe at Maxim's after the beach, but that's about it. It's not generally considered acceptable to wear such attire in the regular elevators of your hotel, walk through its lobby that way, or go into shops or indoor restaurants dressed that way. However, slipping a pair of shorts over your speedos makes you "dressed" in the Brazilian context, so wearing shorts in the hotel elevators and lobby and in other places off the beach will make you seem less of an ignorant visitor with no class. Therefore, bring some shorts you can wear over your bathing suit on your way to and from the beach!

[+ Lucky]

RE: First trip to Rio, need help

 

"YOU SIR ARE A PATHETIC JOKE!

 

Thunderbuns"

 

That is more like a thunder fart. What is the need for such animosity?

[LAShowbiz]

Thanks for the valueable info, Tri... it really does help me assess my situation. I will pack and shop accordingly to your advice!

 

Do you think it will be raining alot during August (or just constantly overcast like Paris in the winter)??

[straightshooter]

pls be informed that the other posters are misinformed.

 

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR YOU TO HIT BANANA REPUBLIC.

 

not only should you feel free to, you should feel absolutely compelled to, bring all 30 pairs of pradas and armanis.

 

you see, you're right, rio is dirt poor, and cariocas are stupid. your logic is indisputable. how can they possibly know that your shoes cost $50 or $500, or your suit cost $20 or $2000??

 

therefore, feel free to flaunt it, especially on the beach, where you don a red blazer and your best shoes. wear yr rolex, because brazilians won't be able to tell the difference here either. be sure to go to the northern zone, where the fashion police will appreciate yr apparel. be sure and cruise rio's downtown area at night, dressed appropriately, looking for rough trade.

 

straightshooter

 

p.s. really hope that you follow this advice to the letter.

 

p.s.s. this is the first time i have ever publicly agreed with thunderbuns - and concur with his views of you 100%. what a twisted, patronizing mind you have of us brazilians. even racist.

 

p.s.s.s. we brazilians have taken due note of yr arrival and look forward to welcoming you.

[Guest coolguy]

Are you drunk?

 

well seems noone really understood what i asked

here we go again:

1) the climate: sunny,ideal for swimming (like in Jamaica or Spain) or cloudy and depressing?

2) which hotel to book? What about a nice modern decorated ocean view room that doesn't cost too much?

I'm not talking about recommendations on websites. I am asking you to suggest a hotel YOU HAVE BEEN TO, not seen through a website. And about rooms that are modern style and easy on the eye

3) And are there any gyms for workout there?

well, no answer on this? all of you are 50something?

 

Axiom2001 : "I plan to use and am currently using the information that is contained so succinctly here. By your doing this, the previous respondents can answer other questions. I hope my advice helps"

Thanks so much for saying wellcome here, since i'm a new member

 

LAShowbiz: Fags wear Prada, men wear kiton

 

Thunderbuns: I like you, but no answer for my questions

 

trilingual : I didn't say i was worried about security issues in Brazil. You were supposed to answer my questions, not other's :-) i know you know a lot about Rio, just answer please

[Traveller]

RE: Are you drunk? Not quite yet

 

>1) the climate: sunny,ideal for swimming (like in Jamaica or

>Spain) or cloudy and depressing?

 

Can't tell you. Closest I can say is that one of the times I was in Rio was at the end of May and the weather was cloudy and rainy half of the time and about 75 to 80 degrees. Pretty humid. My guess is that the weather will be about the same in August.

 

>2) which hotel to book? What about a nice modern decorated

>ocean view room that doesn't cost too much?

>I'm not talking about recommendations on websites. I am

>asking you to suggest a hotel YOU HAVE BEEN TO, not seen

>through a website. And about rooms that are modern style and

>easy on the eye

 

Sol Ipanema. Two blocks from the gay beach. Modern, inexpensive, clean rooms, ocean view, but nothing fancy.

 

>3) And are there any gyms for workout there?

 

The gym that I work out at when I'm there is 4 or 5 blocks in from the gay beach on the second floor. I can't remember the name, but I have it written down at home. I'll get it for you later. Mostly free weights and not very clean, but very hot guys.

 

Later.

[Guest pshaw]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Coolguy-

Since you ask so nicely ...

I was in Rio two weeks ago. I thought the weather was perfect - 9 days of sun, one day that was on and off drizzle. Highs in the mid 80s, lows in low 70s/upper 60s. I would imagine that the weather in August would be similar, but since it is winter one may or may not run into a few days of rain. No guarantees.

There seemed to be a gym or aerobics studio on almost every block, usually on the second floor. There is even a Gold's Gym Rio in Copacabana.

My hotel (Copacabana Mar, booked thru http://www.ipanema.com) was a great bargain, I thought, but was two blocks from the ocean. I have heard good things about the oceanfront Debret Hotel (looked nice from the outside and advertises at a decent rate), but I preferred to stay in the northern end of Copacabana and the Debret was on the southern end.

[LAShowbiz]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Oh good lord... I didn't realize this would turn so hostile.

 

My original post was a legitimate question, but it's been turned into a self-proclamation of my worth and attitude. Honestly, it wasn't meant to be that way. After reading it again, I can see where it would be insensitive and offensive, so if it was to you, I apologize. Honestly, I wasn't trying to put down anyone or try to impress... what's the point in that?

 

Sharpshooter, I'm sorry you took it so offensively. I am far from being racist. My family comes from an area where the norm is wearing $2 sandals and working in fields for a few dollars a day. If I was to visit that country, I, too, would ask the exact same question as I posed about Rio. I respect both equally.

 

Boy has this turned ugly... sorry, coolguy, if I thwarted your topic. I seriously meant this as a legitimate question, but it came across in a bad light.

 

I was simply wondering if wearing nice clothes would be a red flag for potential crime. It was stupid of me to associate dollar figures in my original post. I've learned my lesson.

 

Thanks again, Tri, for answering my question. I would hope that this matter is resolved and I can look forward to a wonderful journey down to an exotic city. Have fun everyone!!

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Dear, I was not going to respond, but your last thread compelled me to do so. Tri's advice was superb as usual as many of the other positive respondents to your questions, but I sensed a lot of pretentiousness in some of your statements about what you have been able to possess.

Poor or not-- folks can tell; they might not can discern the price, but they can note when something has cost money (that they might or might not have). Be discreet in your dressing; be natural in your actions; be tolerant; don't flaunt your newly-acquired riches; and man, have a good time. (I plan to go to Brasil in October! I plan to take in as much of the culture than I can, and I plan to see a few escorts; more than likely I'll venture into the named saunas that are listed and reviewed on this site; this will be a novel experience for me, for I haven't been to the baths since the 80s in this country. San Francisco's baths closed around this time, and I have no interest in the sex clubs as I formerly did.

 

Again, please DON'T BE THE UGLY American as I've seen in so many of my travels of this world of ours. Look at all experiences as adventures and make the better of them.

 

P.S. Five years ago my cousin bought her mother-in-law a "knock-off" Chanel handbag; this past Saturday my cousin and one of her daughters-in-law and her son and I went to see THE LION KING in LA.

My cousin was sporting this bag. I asked her if she had recently procured this bag; her response was-- this is the "knock-off" that Dee got me sometime ago; my memory of the bag returned. I am neither rich nor poor, but I was oblivious to the bag being authentic or a replica.

OK, enough said-- take the advice-- enjoy-- report to us. Do give succinct reviews of your experiences with the escorts as well as your adventures at the Saunas.

[Guest Thunderbuns]

>p.s.s. this is the first time i have ever publicly agreed

>with thunderbuns - and concur with his views of you 100%.

>what a twisted, patronizing mind you have of us brazilians.

>even racist.

 

There's hope yet! :-)

 

Thunderbuns

[trilingual]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Coolguy: I can't add much more to the hotel recommendations. There are lots of hotels, in varying price ranges and locations, so you're just going to have to decide what area (Copacabana or Ipanema, and which part of those) and price you want. My own preference has been for the area near the Copacabana gay beach, but I'm in my 50s, not fit, and don't feel like one of the "barbie" crowd that throngs the Ipanema gay beach. As for weather, plan on it being variable in winter time. (August is winter in the Southern Hemisphere). That means in a two week period you should have some beach weather days, and others where it may be cloudier, cooler and/or rainy if a cold front's coming in from Antarctica. Use those cooler days to go to the saunas or go sightseeing or shopping. There's more than enough to see and do in Rio to keep you occupied in the event it isn't beach weather! That's why I like it so much better than some dreary Caribbean island where the beach is the ONLY thing to do! If the weather goes bad in a place like that, you're really screwed!

 

Showbiz: I realize it's your first time and you're just trying to figure out how to fit in. For this first trip, as I said, go for the most inconspicuous and inexpensive look you can put together. That doesn't mean look awful, by the way. Most people in Brazil may not be rich, but they do the best they can to look good. The guys you meet will try to wear a nice pair of jeans and a nice t-shirt. They may actually be fairly poor, especially by American standards, but you won't necessarily know that. They'll look middle-class. Certainly there are places in Rio for which you might want to dress up a bit more on occasion, like the restaurant at the top of the Meridien hotel, or Cipriani's at the Copacabana Palace, or a few of the trendier and expensive restaurants or straight bars in Ipanema or the Lagoa areas. But you might want to save that for your next trip, after you've had a chance to check out the lay of the land, so to speak. Once you've been there and experienced it for yourself, then you'll be able to decide what you want to bring the next time without advice from all of us!

[Guest SeaGuy]

Thunderbuns, you crack me up. Couldn't have said it better myself.:-)

[Traveller]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

>Again, please DON'T BE THE UGLY American as I've seen in so

>many of my travels of this world of ours. Look at all

>experiences as adventures and make the better of them.

 

Just as an aside, most of my Carioca friends and a lot of my liberal American friends find it classically "Ugly American" to hire guys in Rio; taking advantage of the less fortunate in a situation to which they are driven and is not of their choice. Being a Republican, I find it classically trickle down; especially when it's trickling down my chest.

 

Later.

[Guest pshaw]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Visiting saunas may be regarded as classically "Ugly American" by some cariocas, but of the 9 nights I spent in Rio saunas, I would guess that 95% or more of the customers were Brazilian, not American or other foreign nationalities. It's hardly unusual to find those who look down their noses at those who hire sex workers, whether it is in the USA or Rio. These young men are adults, mostly in their mid-20s to mid-30s. They may be working in the saunas because they earn good money for relatively little effort, but they certainly have a choice as to whether they will work in a sauna or for Bob's fastfood restaurants.

[Guest cutebuns888]

RE: Are you drunk?

 

Coolguy,

I will be in Rio when you are there... Aug 18 - Sept 2. I've been there twice before in the off-season (although not in Aug) and the weather is really very nice. Last time I stayed at Caesar Park in Ipanema for a "gov't rate" of $142 (through American Express website) which was really a bargain. (They never checked my id). It's a great hotel and I had no problem bringing visitors in at any hour.

I found Ipanema a lot nicer than Copacabana. (I was held up at knife point by a punk at evening rush hour on via Atlantica across from the Marriott-and I wasn't wearing flashy clothing or jewelry) Ipanema is safer, you can walk everywhere, many nice restaurants open late, beach cleaner, people generally more affluent and only a 8-10 min cab ride to Copacabana. Sol Ipanema Hotel is another good choice. I suggest you take cabs everywhere. They are cheap, easy to hail, the meters work and I've never been ripped off.

[straightshooter]

"ugly americans

 

as a brazilian who has spent a lot of time in the usa i can state that there is nothing intrinsically american about our saunas - staffed by brazilians, mainly frequented by brazilians.

 

yes, american tourists love our saunas, but there is nothing inherently "ugly" in their patronage. while many of these americans are far from, shall we say, physically attractive, and uh, not in great physical shape, brazilians are very tolerant, and won't regard anyone as "ugly" except in their attitude and comportment.

 

traveller, it seems to at least me and my brazilian friends that the only one who can be justly accused of "ugly" behavior is you. you seem pretty quick to judge brazilians as victims to fit yr agenda, and you seem equally quick to condemn yr fellow american respondents as well. where does that leave you??

 

from yr combing these boards it's pretty likely that you go to brazil to pay for sex. face it. face yourself. does that make you "ugly"?

 

not necessarily. but yr posts are a dead giveaway.

 

as for l.a. showbiz, he made quite a few enemies, particularly with several of my brazilian friends, regarding his post. he certainly came across as "ugly" and racist, now we simply regard him as pathetic. whether he can miraculously escape from being "ugly" has yet to be proven. our sense is that he's trying, but doomed to stick out like a sore thumb no matter what he's wearing.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE:

 

I believe you misconstrued my use of the term "ugly American". It has NOTHING to do with the way in which you interpreted the usage; I do not have the time to explain this concept to you, so I would appreciate someone else explaining it to you. (...message is sent to you cordially, not defensively or whatever...):-)

[trilingual]

RE: UGLY AMERICANS AND LIFE IN SHOWBIZ

 

StraightShooter:

 

Vou tentar explicar umas coisas (mas em inglês, porque o HooBoy não gosta de comentários em outros idiomas).

 

"Ugly American" was the name of a novel. The title actually referred to the protagonist, who was not a handsome man, but was actually a sympathetic character who was an American working abroad. The term has been twisted to mean the kind of obnoxious American tourist who goes abroad and does nothing but find fault,compares everything unfavorably to things at home, loudly proclaims everything American superior to everything else, expects everyone on the planet to speak English, is amazed that everyone everywhere doesn't eat American food, etc. Of course, Americans don't have a monopoly on this type of behavior. There are "ugly Germans," "ugly Britons," "ugly Argentines," and even "ugly Brazilians" (just ask certain folks here in San Francisco how they feel about people from Goiás)! The good news is that most people who travel these days DON'T behave like this!

 

Life in Showbiz: Just like in many other occupational fields (law, medicine, information technology) showbiz has it's own sub-culture in terms of the way people who work in it dress, where they eat, how they talk, etc. LAShowbiz recognizes that he lives in a rarefied world and is just trying to find out what he needs to do to fit in appropriately when he goes to Rio. He phrased some of his questions somewhat naïvely, and probably didn't need to tell us exactly how many Armanis and Pradas he has, but I didn't get any sense of racism in him or his questions. (My radar on that is pretty good; I'm about to retire from 30 years in a federal agency that investigates discrimination complaints.) At worst, LAShowbiz might be guilty of being an "emergente" and should be condemned to spending a week in Barra da Tijuca for mentioning his possessions by brand name, but that's a minor sin in the big scheme of things! So, Sharpshooter, lighten up on him! After all, you don't want somebody calling you something the next time you're spotted shopping for brand names on your next trip to the U.S. :-) We're none of us flawless!

[Guest pshaw]

RE: UGLY AMERICANS

 

I heartily agree with Trilingual that, in general, American tourists abroad seem to be much better behaved than the stereotypical American tourist of the 1950s and 1960s. Anyone who has seen a busload of Chinese tourists (many of the men seem to think that wife-beaters, boxer shorts, and black calf-length socks and shoes are resort wear) descend on a Thai night market would think that Americans are the best-behaved tourists in the world. The main criticism I hear about American tourists these days is that they tend to tip too much, making the locals look bad in comparison.