cMy first trip to Rio

[Guest dreynsol]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

>Good advice. How would I go about locating and contacting a

>guide prior to traveling to Rio? Do they also function as tour

>guides and/or dinner companions, or do they just escort you to

>the saunas and translate/negotiate for you? What's a typical

>fee for such a service?

 

Well, I have to chime in and mention Welington. He was introduced to me in Rio by a good friend, and he is gay, well-mannered, intelligent, speaks perfect English, and fits in perfectly wearing a tie for dinner with you, or a towel navigating your way through the Brazilian saunas.

 

One of his clients recently told me he would not have had half the fun on his trip if he had not met Welington.

 

I've been to Rio many times over the last 5 years, and I'd have to say if I hadn't arranged Eduardo, who was a guide at the time, during my first trip... my love of Brazil might have only been a one time affair.

 

It's an old cliche but still very true, "when in Rome do as the Romans do". One can have a lousy time as a foreigner to Brazil, not speaking the language, being frustrated dealing with cab drivers, sauna guys who said you promised them 50 Dollars rather than 50 Reals, and never appreciating the unique culture that is truly Brazil.

 

Or you can arrange to meet a pure-hearted Brazilian like Welington, who will guide you away from the tourist sharks, negotiate on your behalf in the saunas, and recommend the best restaurants for you. And, at the same time keeping you out of harm's way.

 

During the course of your trip, a guide can actually save you money on cab fares, disappointing sauna adventures, over priced street vendors, and a host of tourist traps.

 

Giving a guy like Welington 15 to 20 Dollars per hour who is a young, gay Brazilian trying to improve his life turns out to be not only beneficial in many ways, but allows me to give back to Brazil on a personal level and make a new Brazilian friend. Priceless.

 

Here's some of his pics, and e-mail us at info@gaytravelbrazil.com (with a "Z") to check his availability and we'll include a free membership to our site.

 

http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com/images/welington.jpg

 

http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com/images/welington_3.jpg

 

http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com/images/welington_5.jpg

[str8baitluvr]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

You all have been very helpful, and motivational, I might add, in helping me finally fulfill my dream of taking a trip to Brazil. I really do appreciate your time and wisdom.

 

Drey, thanks so much for your offer. I will be in contact shortly. Wellington is cute!

 

Before I dive into making specific travel arrangements, I'm trying to figure out when I want to go and for how long. I'd rather go when it was less crowded and not too humid (if there is such a time). I was also thinking of a two week visit, with some day trips or excursions mingled in unless there is enough in Rio to do and see (other than the boys of course!) I feel I need to do a bit more research on what I want to do and see while I'm there.

 

I know much has been said about the Atlantico on this forum; good, bad and in between. Eventhough I don't plan to spend a lot of time in the room, I travel constantly for my job and I've become a bit of a hotel snob. I know it may sound bad, but I don't feel safe or happy in tourist class or budget hotels. I find the better hotels keep me away from families with screaming kids and more towards other professionals and business travelers.

[LurkerSpeaks]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

If you think there is even the remote possibility that you might want to invite some "company" back to your hotel room, then I would recommend you seriously consider the Atlantico..By all accounts, they are the most "flexible" when it comes to visitors..My only additional recommendation with them would be to either reserve one of the "junior suites", or if your budget allows it, one of the penthouse suites.

[Guest Fisher]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

I go to Rio in May. I find it quite

enjoyable that time of year. May

is mid-Fall in Brazil. So, the

summer crowds are gone. The weather

is still beachy warm, but not overly

humid. You might get a day or two of

rain, but, at least from my experience

over the past three years, most days

are clear, sunny beach/touring weather.

 

There are alot of tourist sites to see

in Rio. Of course you have to go to

the two signature sites in Rio:

- Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain)

- Corcovado (Statue of Christ)

In addition, there are numerous museums.

As well as churches from the ultra modern

Metropolitan Cathedral to the Neoclassical

gem Candelaria. One of the most enjoyable

tour that I took was on the back of a jeep

that drove up into the rain forest. There are

also various day-trip destinations from Rio,

such as the former Imperial Summer Capital

of Petropolis... There is alot to do in Rio

as a tourist. Although I find now that what

I enjoy most about Rio is spending the day at

the beach with some of my gringo friends and a

nice bunch of sauna bois.

 

Since most flights from the US to Rio go through

Sao Paulo, you might want to consider spending

a few days there either at the beginning or tail-end

of your trip.

 

Regarding the Hotel Atlantico. While it certainly

is not a first class hotel it does have its charm.

Since it is located a few blocks from the beach, and

right across the street from the metro. The cliental,

at least in my opinion is actually more business then

tourist (although I do go there in the off-season).

It does not seem to be overrun with kids. That being

said, while I was there this past May, the entire

USC Trojan Marching Band stayed at the Atlantico.

Lots of tourist/pseudo-kids running around!

 

I think its a good idea that you do your research,

read the various posts from the different message

boards, read various guide books. I also found Drey,

at the Z site, as a great wealth of knowledge:

http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com Whatever your final choices

are, you are going to have a great time in Rio.

 

Tchau,

Fisher

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

>You all have been very helpful, and motivational, I might

>add, in helping me finally fulfill my dream of taking a trip

>to Brazil. I really do appreciate your time and wisdom.

>

>Drey, thanks so much for your offer. I will be in contact

>shortly. Wellington is cute!

>

>Before I dive into making specific travel arrangements, I'm

>trying to figure out when I want to go and for how long. I'd

>rather go when it was less crowded and not too humid (if there

>is such a time). I was also thinking of a two week visit, with

>some day trips or excursions mingled in unless there is enough

>in Rio to do and see (other than the boys of course!) I feel I

>need to do a bit more research on what I want to do and see

>while I'm there.

>

>I know much has been said about the Atlantico on this forum;

>good, bad and in between. Eventhough I don't plan to spend a

>lot of time in the room, I travel constantly for my job and

>I've become a bit of a hotel snob. I know it may sound bad,

>but I don't feel safe or happy in tourist class or budget

>hotels. I find the better hotels keep me away from families

>with screaming kids and more towards other professionals and

>business travelers.

 

 

 

I'd suggest your going to Brasil during the spring (October-November). During my six of seven trips there within the past six years (...went twice in one of those years)-- the spring has been ideal. It's not humid, and you will not encounter hoards of tourists. At that time Europeans, Australians, and other South Americans tend to travel, but as far as North Americans go-- they are few in number.

 

The Atlantico Copacabana Hotel hosts business and conference type folks. I have not seen any children there. You might think it is a poor quality hotel as contrasted to your standards, but it is not.

 

As stated in previous posts, the Royal Rio in Copa is a beautiful and tastefully-appointed hotel, but again, if you plan to have guests, a fee of $R50 is charged at this particular venue. I liked staying there, but I chose not to have guests. During this trip I saw all of my social encounters at the saunas.

 

There are sex hotels in Rio. Your chosen guy/s should know their location.

 

Lastly, do take some day and/or side trips for culture and history to experience more diversity in spite of all of the things one can do while in Rio. If the design of shopping centers intrigue you, there are three to take in while in Rio. The newest is in Leblon; it reminded me of being in Los Angeles on Rodeo Drive. I went to check out the displays and the architecture, and this was great especially on a rainy day. Creativity abounds here.

 

Do plan carefully; read, read, read (books and varying sites on the internet); have a guide; take some independent as well as group tours; have a great and memorable time!

[Guest msclonly]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

The Room doesn't grow on you.

You shrink to fit the room.

It always happens to me at the Marriot.

And strange enough, I come to prefer everthing being convenient.

 

:+

[Guest dreynsol]

RE: My first trip to Rio

 

Forgot to say thanks to LurkerSpeaks and TxAlphaDog and it sounds like you both had a great time. And also sorry for hijacking your thread :-)

 

Axiom's right that you should see the sites and experience some true Brazilian culture while you're there and IMHO having a local guide is a great way to accomplish that, unless you're traveling with TxAlphaDog who's a veteran and a good friend.

 

But, of course, another requirement, being a gay male in Brazil, is to visit a Brazilian sauna while you're there. Amazing!

 

Next year is going to be a great time to visit Brazil, and today the exchange rate is the best since April of 2005 at 2.53 Reals to the US Dollars. So, for less than US$ 20 now, you can have the time of your life with a gorgeous Brazilian.

 

It's a great time to visit Brazil.

 

- Drey