I've been to Rio before, but lacked the adequate funds to really explore the scene. I'm staying in a hostel to make the most of the money I have. I want to know what are the best termas, any advice to avoid potential pitfalls and any other advice that I might find useful as a newcomer. I appreciate the help.

All the information you need is here on the site. How many days are you staying? How much money are you going to spend. If you are staying at a hostel then Im guessing you dont have much spending money. I like the Apts. They are clean, safe, and you can screw a pretty girl for an hour for about 50 bucks. For about 120 bucks you can drink a bunch of beer, be in the middle of a wild scene and then screw a pretty girl for an hour at 4x4.

There are cheaper termas. Do a search.

Why ask about termas if you're going to sleep in a hostel? Isn't that like a homeless guy trying to buy breakfast at a Ritz-Carlton? Either save your money until you can really afford Rio, or go to Thailand or the PI or somewhere that's much cheaper. Going to Rio on a nickle-and-dime budget is not a very enjoyable experience.

You must be a really young guy if you are going to be staying in a hostel. That's the only kind of people I ever see in and around those places. If that is the case, you might want to roam the main street and fling a little shit to earn some extra money in between taking your turn on the cot. I'm just fucking with you. My friends give me shit too because I'm not down at Terraco buying those over priced meals with them every night.

Seriously, you can have a good time on virtually any budget, so I wouldn't discourage you from going, just keep your expectations low if you are on a tight budget. You can get laid for a Real a minute in Rio. She's not going to be the prettiest thing in the world, nor will it be a beautiful romantic experience, but she'll help you shoot one off.

As for where to go, only you know what you have, and the prices are all here on this site, so look around in Termas under the topics section. You can eat very cheaply in Rio, especially if you are willing to eat in, but I don't know how that is going to work in a hostel though. You might want to consider renting an apt that has a microwave and at least an electric 2 eye burner and cutting back that way rather than cutting back on lodging. You never want to get caught in a situation where you don't have a place to take a girl to at night, whether it's a hostel, or a hotel that doesn't let girls inside.

If you have any specific questions, you can send me a private message.

One word of advice to those that have not been there at New Yrs: plan to arrive in the Copa area by 6-6:30PM due to both traffic congestion and taxi availability [or lack of]. Remember 2-3 million people are heading into Copa for the evening and all the various activities.

Also, the reverse is true when leaving the area after the fireworks, etc, difficult getting a taxi.

Plan for a long night out, take time to enjoy all the activities, dinner, drinking, beach & fireworks, hit Help and dance for a few hours, next thing it will be 4AM, Garota in tow and a taxi waiting!


[Hopefully your hostal is located close and no need for transportation]

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on October 15, 2008)

I think if you are really on a budget, then a low cost apartment and picking up girls from Copa is cheaper. A typical terma visit, with entrance, a 40-60 minute session, and drinks can easily add up to R$300. Getting all nighters in Copa at TA, Help, Balcony Bar, etc for R$200 is really not all that difficult if you try, plus some turn into longer term deals for free. If you got any kind of negotiating skills, plus are not shooting for the '10's, then you can go as low as R$150. Considering that if the girls likes you, she will most likely stay the entire next day as well...

So from a budget perspective, the termas are certainly not the way to go. Quality wise, ok maybe so!

How much is the hostel? I would think it would also be around R$40-R$50? You should be able to get a studio apartment for around R$120

Why would you want to stay in a place where you cannot take girls back? Also, you will eventually want to pick up a girl in Copa - that will add about R$40 for the short term hotels.

A monger in a hostel? Aye, I would strongly recommend against that.

I'm going to be there for eight days. I'm staying in a hostel because its extremely easy to meet people and hook up with girls as I'm travelling by myself. It can be tricky in a hostel with a girl, but after 6 months of staying in them the last few years, you learn some tricks. Yes I know, why go to the termas then. Well I have to check out the scene and I'm not broke, my budget is around 800R a day outside of the hostel cost. I'm not going to be visiting the termas everyday, probably 3 visits. Which termas would you guys avoid, if any becuase it all seems like personal preference on the site.

So your plan is to fuck some German or Italian tourist girl in the bunk beds of some hostel? Are you under the impression that a GdP will go back to a hostel with you? Are you under the impression that you will pick up civilian garotas who will go back to a hostel with you?

No, I'm not under the impression that a civilian would go back to the hostel. Not necessarily in the bunk beds either. Since were on the subject, does anyone have suggestions for an apartment service?

Talk to Don and Ken at Amerioca, I'm not sure if apartment rental rates are bit lower now than a few months ago due to the currency fluctuation.

My opinion of hostels, particularly in Rio, is that for mongering purposes, they're the worst way to go. You'll probably spend more since your only options are termas, in-call places and love hotels.

Thanks for the help.

If your budget is R$800 per day outside of hostel costs, you can got to a termas every day and stay in a studio apt in copacabana. every day ...

And you definitely want to stay in Copa, especially since everybody tries to come to Copa on New Year's Eve, plus that's the heart of the mongering scene. I concur with the unanimous opinion here, ditch the hostel. You can hook up with mongers from this board easily enough, you'll have as much company as you need. Maybe stay in the hostel one night to meet some other tourists if you need to, but I'd suggest concentrating on mongering.