Rio in September or October

[MscleLovr]

I'd appreciate some help please

 

I've been to Rio once before, in November and the weather was great (warm, sunny and only 1 cloudy day). I stayed in Ipanema and I didn't hire any guys as I was with my (now ex-)boyfriend, a blond muscled Argentine. We stayed in an executive room at the Ipanema Plaza, and I liked the hotel and area. I insisted we visit Copacabana but I felt it was dirty and shabby, as the bf had warned me.

 

I speak both Spanish and French well, and he spoke some Portuguese, but we still had language difficulties at times. And I never figured out the taxis - some with their lights on had passengers in back; some with their lights off stopped to pick us up LOL

 

Qu 1: I'm thinking of visiting Rio in September/October and doing some hiring. I've checked the weather stats, but I wonder what experienced guys think of a trip then?

 

Qu 2: if I sign in a working guy as an overnight visitor, would the Ipanema Plaza be OK?

 

Qu 3: what sort of daily or weekly rates do guides (such as Danilo/Wellington) charge? do they sleep in the same room? and are they OK if I hire a guy?

 

Qu 4: how much of a "step-down" in quality would I find the Hotel Atlantico?

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer

[+ Axiom2001]

First off I'd advise that you post the same thread at http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com if you have not already done so. You'll more than likely receive some current information regarding your queries.

 

• I, for one, can answer a few of them. The months of your impending travel are great in terms of the weather. I've been in Rio de janeiro every October since 2002- 2007, and the weather has been sunny and not overwhelmingly humid during that time. In 2006 and 2007, we did see some intermittent rain, but I have yet to experience five or more days of inclement weather. So, I'd go for it if I were you. (I plan to be there in October of this year for 10 or more days with jaunts to Buzios and Porto Alegre on two different weekends.)

 

• I've hired Danilo as a guide but only during my stint in Sao Paulo; he charged me a reasonable hourly rate. My good friend had him travel to Rio and serve as guide. While they were there, Danilo stayed in a smallish foyer-type room at the Hotel Atlantico Copacabana which has only a sofa-type bed and a table and chairs. He used the shower that's in the room. My friend paid Danilo by the day; purchased meals except for breakfast, and all other travel-related expenses.

 

• You can hire Welington through Drey at http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com and can receive

particulars via this site and the email address that is there.

 

• Since I have only stayed at the Atlantico Copacabana Hotel and the Royal Rio Hotel in

Copacabana, I cannot respond to your query. The Royal Rio Hotel was a beautiful

hotel; it's on par to our W Hotels. The ambience superb-- but the hotel charges if you

have company.

 

• I, personally, have been pleased with the offerings of the ACH. It's a 2.5 hotel but

comfortable. To vary my trek to the Avenida Atlantica which runs parallel to the beach

area for miles and miles-- I would leave the hotel, turn left and walk a few blocks, then

cross the street and walk toward the beach amongst the varying nice and quiet neigh-

borhoods.

 

• At other times I'd walk forward and amongst the throngs of working people

to get to the beach and other venues along the Avenida as well as a varied picture of life in Rio.