pv or rio

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

PS

 

As I've always said, why travel the world in search of just sex. You can get laid anywhere. You don't need to sit on a plane for 10+ hours for that.

 

Rio's history, culture and beauty is worth exploring: Be an intrepid traveler and actually SEE the places you visit

[+ Tarte Gogo]

PS

 

As I've always said, why travel the world in search of just sex. You can get laid anywhere. You don't need to sit on a plane for 10+ hours for that.

 

Err, except in Rio, it is $40 a pop, compared to NY at $300.

 

Definitely worth the 10 hour flight if you spend enough time there.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Err, except in Rio, it is $40 a pop, compared to NY at $300.

 

Definitely worth the 10 hour flight if you spend enough time there.

 

It's not about the price: It's the oddity of traveling around the world for just cheap sex, discounting everything else offered about the city you're visiting.

 

What I'm really suggesting is moderation. Go to Rio, fuck and have fun, but also make time to see what makes the city tick.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

make time to see what makes the city tick.

Amen to that.

 

Possibly with an escort guide that can show you around.

[Guest RBmont-real]

There is no shortage of interesting sights in Rio. You would need at least the equivalent of 4-6 full daytimes devoted to those venues to cover the main ones. Either mix and match beach days with touring days or get an early start sightseeing and relax in the afternoon. I prefer DIY planning and flexibility, and with a bit of research it is easy to be guideless.

 

Bear in mind booking a Sugarloaf or Corcovado tour ahead will mean spent dollars with the chance of poor visibility. For Corcovado in particular I recommend rising at dawn, checking the sky, and it is so simple to taxi or Über to the train station at the streetlevel base before tour groups show up.

 

Tan and party exclusively if that is the preference, but I agree that would be unfortunate going all that distance.

[+ Axiom2001]

Rio, but I strongly suggest staying in Ipanema.

 

I've been going to Rio de janeiro for culture and "extra curricular activities" since 2002. Have made 11 trips, the last being in 2011.

 

If I were choosing between the cities, I'd definitely consider Rio. Read all what is here (although slightly dated, for the sauna scene has changed). Go to www.boytoy.com/forums/forum/122-latin-america-men-and-destinations for more current info. Do a search. Lots of valid and salient info. provided, but mainly about saunas. Check out www.gaycities.com for current information about lots of things of interest to the gay male traveler.

 

Hope you get back to us once you have taken your impending trip. I hope it'll be Rio.

[Guest RBmont-real]

Everyone talks about Rio, or São Paulo... has anyone explored San Salvador de Bahia? I heard wonderful things, but I have never been there.

 

I sidetripped to Salvador Bahia and Fortaleza in Jan/Feb 2016. Liked Salvador more than Fortaleza and Porto Alegre (latter in May 2016). The historic Pelhourinho district is interesting.

 

At my age, the bar/club scene is out of bounds, so for socializing stuck to the saunas with garotos de programa where there were other friendly visitors. (Note I will not comment on these venues here, as there is another dedicated forum section).

 

I have my fourth consecutive winter longstay in Rio de Janeiro coming up in a few weeks.

[+ WilliamM]

Bear in mind booking a Sugarloaf or Corcovado tour ahead will mean spent dollars with the chance of poor visibility

 

May not be true in the "off-season" when I have always visited Rio. Also, you do not have to book a tour. Public buses are fine for both sites.

[Guest RBmont-real]

May not be true in the "off-season" when I have always visited Rio. The OP is planning high season. Also, you do not have to book a tour. That's what I said. Public buses are fine for both sites.

I spend winters (their summer) there, as well as at least one 'off season' month... I do not recommend public buses for a 1st-timer unless on a very tight budget and very skilled at researching transport. Metro then taxi/Über for bridging are fast and economical. But to each his own.

[Guest RBmont-real]

Mea culpa. Inserts in quotes do not work here ... hmmm, how to salvage, oh me oh my? Tech-challenged me.

The 2nd and 4th lines in peach background above are mine.

[+ WilliamM]

I spend winters (their summer) there, as well as at least one 'off season' month... I do not recommend public buses for a 1st-timer unless on a very tight budget and very skilled at researching transport. Metro then taxi/Über for bridging are fast and economical. But to each his own.

 

Why?

 

I would not call myself very skilled at researching transportation, and had no trouble at all. On both trips to Rio I was a bit concerned about where to get off, but it was not a problem.

[Guest RBmont-real]

Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a lively music scene in small clubs throughout the city. I have seen Joao Gilberto several times and earlier the great Baden Powell. Yes, it's more difficult because its a major city, but the challenge is part of the charm

 

My first time in Brazil in 1974 I also flew to Brasilia for several days. I flew back to the states from Brasilia during the day with no clouds in the sky -- saw the Amazon and the tip of South America.

 

I love looking at stock photos from the 1970s as I foolishly missed discovering Rio until 40 years later. In the right light the Amazon looks like endless tributaries of molten metal.

[Guest RBmont-real]

Why?

 

I would not call myself very skilled at researching transportation, and had no trouble at all. On both trips to Rio I was a bit concerned about where to get off, but it was not a problem.

 

Lucky, you must be more adventurous than me, though I often walk several kilometres at a time to get to many places, and knowing where you are going with good planning can certainly be effective. I typically walk from Gloria to the Corcovado train station.

 

I find the bus routes complicated and the signage on the buses unclear. It would be prudent to have a good GPS but there is some controversy over whether a newbie tourist should have a smartphone out trying to get bearings if lost.

 

I also made the mistake of getting on a non-A/C bus from Botafogo to Jardim Botanico in 40degreesCelsius at a snail's pace.

 

And a friend living in Rio and fluent in Portuguese was robbed on a bus in the south zone ... a group of opportunistic felons where one of them lifted his wallet and it was surreptitiously passed to another in the group. Obviously some organizational gringo-targetting happening there. Of course I realize that is a risk on any form of travel. Caution advised all round.

 

Is there a particular reason buses are preferable to taxis or ride apps?

[+ WilliamM]

Is there a particular reason buses are preferable to taxis or ride apps?

 

No particular reason. I likely had a guide book to the buses on my first trip to Rio in 1974. Once the first ride was fine, I continued to always use the buses, same on my second trip in 1999.

 

Totally agree about not using a smart phone so obviously.

[Guest RBmont-real]

Aha, 1974 predates the Metro subway by 5 years. Rio was late-ish in the game.

 

Currently, Ipanema/Leblon maintain tourism cachet but have among the highest public-robbery rates. I stay in working-class areas. But overall, the vast majority of visitors enjoy incident-free travel.