Does anyone know of a Brazil/Rio discussion board that focuses simply on travel tips in Brazil (not necessarily sex oriented). Club H has been super helpful for me, but there are certainly issues that have not been addressed... any help is appreciated.

Prapoport.

I guess you can go to lonely planet. Why don't you just simply bring up your topic of discussion here. There's a lot of well travelled people here who can offer good non-hombre type advice.

Prapoport,

I'm going on my first Rio trip in April and am just getting started exploring non-monger info too. So far, I've spent some time on http://www.virtualtourist.com. It features a ton of individuals travelogues. Some are better than others but it's worth a look.

Sterling

Hey All,

I am searching for airfares to Rio for a Labor day trip.

Does anyone know what the departure tax from Gig to the U.S.A.. I am plannig on buying an rt ticket to Rio but the travel agency told me that the departure tax wasn't included.

On my previous trips book thru American airlines
it was always included. My last two trips I paid around 500 dollars. As of today AA wants 817.00 for a rt ticket from the northeast to Rio. I got a quote from a travel agency for around 600 dollars not including departure tax.

The taxes are usually around $100, including your U.S. airport and the Brazilian ariport fees and the various interesting federal taxes here.

Good luck!

BS

Cueball - Just for the hell of it try Hotwire
I got Rt Charleston SC to Rio via Dulles for
$575 everything included (United). Just a thought. Hemp

These were the taxes listed on a recently purchased Continental ticket to Rio.
U.S. Customs User Fee: $5.00,
U.S. Immigration User Fee: $7.00,
U.S.International Transportation Tax: $26.80, U.S. APHIS User Fee:$3.10,
Brazil Embarkation Tax: $36.00

Also check out the internet specials on Varig.com All taxes are included in there final price.

Yeah, it's only $36, which the airline should automatically tack on to the ticket price when you guy your ticket. Just make sure you take your e-ticket receipt with you as it shows the $36 paid.

By the way, does everyone use e-tickets when traveling to Brasil? United does, not sure of the others.

I used it one time with Continental and had a fiasco when I tried to return to the US. When I showed up at the airport in RIo, the ticket agent couldn't find my eticket reservation on the computer (unfortunately, I never wrote my confirmation # down) so they told me that I wasn't scheduled to leave that day. After going back and forth for about 30 mintes and then speaking to the manager, I was forced to spend another night and pay the $100 change ticket penalty.

When I got back to the states, I immediately called the 1 800 number for continental and complained. I told them that their screwup cost me over $800 and that I wanted to be compensated! ($100 change fee, $80 hotel, $50 taxi, $50 food, $600 lost wages) They had a shitty attitude about the whole thing and said they would be willing to send me a voucher for 100 bucks. I went ballistic on the phone and talked to the manager, I wanted at least a $700 voucher for my trouble, I thought it was reasonable considering it was their fault, but they wouldn't budge.

I never accept an E-ticket for international travel. It is basically a license for the airline to screw up with impunity.

I only use e-tickets for any travel, domestic or international. I have never had any probs. The computers, or agents, can screw up either an e-ticket or a paper ticket. It really doesn't matter to their systems. Just print a copy of your confirmation. Diff is that e-tickets can't be stolen and are less expensive. Last trip I did meet a European couple who had their tickets stolen from their hotel room.

Wow I'm sorry to hear some of your bad experiences using e-tickets. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. So far, (knock on wood) I have never had any problems using e-tickets. I use to do all my traveling with regular tickets until a travel agent convince me that e-tickets is a no brainer. She said it was cheaper and a less of a hassle if you lose your ticket.

The two times I went to Rio on American airlines by e-ticket it went pretty smooth. I try to take the latest flight back to the states (more time in the termas). In fact I usually arrive at GIG around 1 hour or less before my flight. Any other destination it's the customary two hours but this Rio and the termas. I know that is cutting it close but as you guys know hanging around the termas having the best sex and time of your life time flies. The ticket attendants can see a dumbass gringo a mile away rushing out of the taxi and huffing and puffing to the check in booth. "Are you Mr Cueball"? "Yep". After checking my passport and e-ticket receipt "have a nice trip" and off I go to check in my luggage.

Also when I am in the states a day before I leave I always call the airline to confirm my arrival and departure flights. To be extra safe which I have never done but it is on my mind when you are in Rio get Bobby at Blame it on Rio to call your airline to confirm your return flight. That way you can nip any problems in the bud. I'm not sure if he would charge you to make the call for you. Once I'm on the plane I am silently crying thinking about back to my bored mundane life and my next return trip back to the land of bliss.

Funny stuff Mr. Cueball, and so true, are you a pool player ? I didn`t find any pool tables in Rio, heard they play snooker, not really my game. Biggest problem i`ve had with e- tickets is getting into the country, immigration wants to see return ticket, i`ve got no ticket. Print your itinerary , and call 2 days before to confirm and you should nip any problems in the bud before they get started.

Fooledagain1,

I wouldn't call myself a pool player because I suck but I do like to play. Nothing like having a couple of budlights and playing some nine ball. There is a bar/restaurant in Ipanema called Shenanigans that has pool tables. It is located right across the main street from where they have the Hippie fair. It is on the second floor so make sure you look up for the sign or you will miss it like I did on the first time I was looking for it. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go in as when I got there in the afternoon it was closed. As of June 03 they didn't open until I think 4 or 5pm. Also I hear that they show NFL football games in the fall. I think the owners are Americans.

Cueball- Thanks for the info, i will check it out, what`s a Hippie fair, not sure where the main street is. I heard that non-programa girls go to this place.

hi fooled again! hippie fair at praca orsorio,roughly the same things for sale that they have at av.atlantica fridays,saturdays.sheenigans is in ipanema praca orsorio/rua visconde piraja, where traffic heading towards centro,copacabana.

I happened to be at the Hippie fair on a weekday and instead of selling arts and crafts stuff like they have on Sundays they were selling fresh fruits and produce. They had some really good deals. I think they had huge watermelons selling for I think a buck a piece. Also the Citibank is close by right across the street from the Hotel Vermont