Hello,

Before asking a few questions, I'd like to provide a little background about me. I have never been to Brazil/Rio, but I have decided it's time to make my first trip. I'm 42 and I've been traveling to Thailand for several years so I'm quite experienced with the scene there. I recognize a few board names on this board that I have seen on boards that deal with Thailand/PI. I may have met a couple of the members of this board in Thailand as well: Wombat, Ranger, and possibly Xenono. This is a great board and I have been doing lots of reading the past few days. Would like to thank everyone for the detailed trip reports and exchange of information. Trip reports/posts that stand out are Sandman's, Xenono's, Hunterman, Brazil Specialist, Playboy, Moondog, Aldaron, and Juan Aloha.

Here's my situation. Until a few weeks ago, I was planning a 3-4 month vacation in Thailand/PI. This vacation will start in early October 2004. After spending some VERY SATISFYING time with a fine Brazilian girl recently, I decided to look into the scene in Brazil to see what I've been missing. This search eventually led me to this board. Here's the primary question I'd like to ask the board. Given the fact that I will be a rookie on my upcoming visit, how long would you recommend that I stay on this visit? I still want to go to Thailand/PI provided Thailand doesn't get any worse regarding closing times and the like as a result of the government doing various things that are impacting the scene there. I can tell you that after three weeks in Thailand I start to get tired of the whole party scene, but for some reason I feel Brazil/Rio will have more to offer me. Of course, since I've been going to Thailand for quite some time, the "new" has worn off and the scene there is now old hat to me. Brazil, naturally, will be a new experience for me and will have the excitement that comes with a new culture, country, and its ladies. Coming to Brazil will require me to learn the language so I have already started studying. Purchased two different programs yesterday to get me going. That means I have seven months to get all the basics down, which I'm sure I can, since I tend to pick languages up fairly well.

While I love the LOS and its babes, I also enjoy the cheap golfing over there. I haven't read anything yet on this board about golf in Brazil. Does anyone have any experience with golf in Brazil/Rio area? If so, what's the cost and do they have female caddies like they do in the LOS?

Also, how's the visa situation there? Well, I've asked enough. Hoping to hear from someone out there.

Thanks,
augustart

Okay, in reverse order:

If you are traveling with a US passport, you need a tourist visa for Brasil. The visa is free but there is a $100 "reciprocity fee" for US citizens since that's what we charge everyone to apply for a visa here. Plus, if you don't live in the same city as a Brasilian consulate, you'll pay $10 or so plus mail charges to get your passport to and from the closest consulate.

As far as golf, I'm not sure at all. I stay at the Marriott and they mention a course about 15 miles away but I think its safe to say that Rio is not a golf destination.

Now, as far as time there, well, if the time is available, I would say that two weeks is a nice amount for a first trip. I only went for a week the first time down and really hated to leave. Of course, every guy hates to leave Rio, regardless of the duration of the stay, and most people start planning their second trip while still on the first. Basically though, stay as long as you can.

Rio is fairly upscale compared to Thailand, at least the places you'll most likely be, so no problems like you might find in Thailand. You can just do the beaches for days on end, a variety of stuff really that don't pertain to mongering. That's something most of the Rio crew mention but never really gets picked up by the masses - you could have a great time in Rio even without mongering.

As is, though, that's the main catch, and two weeks should allow you to sample a bit of everything (high end termas, maybe a dive terma or two, escorts, Lido-club girls, Help garotas, beach putas, maybe and escort or two, etc.)

I play a few rounds of golf a year, and I can tell you that Rio is not the place for this. They have a golf course between Leblon and Barra, but it does not look very nice. I think there are only two golf courses in all of Rio. That should tell you something with a city of 12M how popular golf is down here.

Plan on spending between one and two weeks to get a good feel for Rio. There are enough activities, including and beyond the mongering scene, to keep you busy for at least that long.

I can't answer your golf questions...sorry. You might want to check out the Rio guide I prepared and posted on this site; it should address your visa questions along with a few others.

I've made many trips to the LOS (will return in July) and always look forward to those trips, but I assure you, you're gonna love Rio!

Bwana

That course looks awesome from the handglider.

Many say Rio is over-rated. I tend to hear that from the Tijuana guys mostly, but I will let Catacony deal with them. I don't see how that is possible. There is a reason that all of us keep returning again and again. Since I have only been to Rio I can't really compare it to other places. However, I go by the opinions of some of my friends who have been to places all over the world... at least three times. They all say Rio is the mecca to see and play with young women. It seems to be a combination of things..... the girls of course with their superior looks, variety, and attitudes, but also the location and abundance of termas and pick-up clubs, the overall scenery, the beaches, the weather, the attitudes of most of the locals, the proximity and number of flights for those on the east coast, and the exchange rate. Taking all of that into consideration, I haven't had any desire to go anywhere else.

Augus, I think you will be converted once you finally go.

There's a course in Buzios that's nice. They have rental clubs and caddys available.

Au, Having been to Rio,and LOS a few times I'd say it's hard to compare them other than to say they are both great in their own ways.Both offer things the other doesn't.You are wise to get the language tapes before you go to Rio because that takes helps with one difference in that english is less spoken in Rio than in LOS.I don't know anything about the golf situation there either,but I'm sure it's there.Two weeks is about right to get your feet wet although you may never leave once you start mongering with those brazilian women.One piece of advice is stick to the Termas at first.It will get you used to the women,and once they see you trying to speak the language teach you more words and expressions.Have fun.Im sure you'll love it.

Playing 18 holes has a different meaning in Rio, you don't need your clubs.

My first trip to Rio was two weeks, and I hated to leave. Didn't even get to the termas except once, didn't have any guidance from CH (only my cousin and his limited knowledge), and I just relied on Help and Praia das Putas for my companionship. I'd recommend at least a month if you've got 3 or 4 months. Aldaron ran down the list, there's so much to see (once you find a girl or two to go with).

My friend Steve, a veteran of LOS, came to Rio with me--he hated to leave after 10 days (although he went north in Brazil and had a marvelous adventure, even with a few women), and now prefers Rio (although there are a few things better in LOS, like prices). I myself will get there eventually, but Rio hasn't lost its strong attraction for me--in fact, it keeps getting stronger with experience and ability to communicate in Portuguese.

Everyone,
Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I'm really looking forward to this trip. After reading more on the board and looking at a few more pics, I've decided I need at least one month there. And if I like it that much I'll stay longer. I guess my only real concern is the crime issue. That's the one thing I have never worried too much about in Thailand although the LOS has their small share of it. Even though the language studies are just beginning, it's going well. I bought a software program, Rosetta Stone, which I like alot. Everything is in Portuguese, no English. I also got a small program with tapes, don't remember the name of it off the top of my head. Hopefully I'll have a chance to meet a few of you guys during my trip. I always travel to Thailand alone. Can't get any friends to go. They always bitch about the long trip and stay it isn't worth it. Of course, I feel that is not the case. Maybe I can convice one to travel down to Brazil since it should be a little bit shorter of a trip for them. Again thanks for your insight.

augustart

Does anyone know where I need to send my passport to get a visa? Also, how long is the visa good for? I live in Minnesota. Thanks in advance. ...cpa

Cpa - Travel Docs in Washington DC did a nice job for me. When you send in request a 5 year one. Here is the link: http: www.traveldocs.com
Have a great trip. Hemp

Augustart, when you come to Rio, please
bring me a copy of your Portuguese course computer software. Would love to have it so people can use it to study portuguese. I have one software at my place, plus the Pimsleur Portuguese and English courses.

A great language learning dvd is Cidade de Deus. You can learn such great words like: fodito (fucked as in we're "fucked"), caralho (fuckin' as in "fuckin'" great), porra (as in "shit"), corra (same as porra, but not as bad), and the ever versatile filho da puta (as in "son of a bitch or whore" but, more emphatically, "mother-fucker"). And this only the tip of the iceberg, or I should say, favela.

These words can also be learned by going to any soccer game, called "FOOcheeball" in Brasil.

When I went to my first at Maracana in Rio, I kept looking for a player with the name "Filho da Mae" on the back of his shirt, because I figured they were all cheering for him...

LOL. I saw a top level men's professional game on tv, and for the first time ever, the game had 3 women referees. Whenever the crowd disagreed with the call, they cheered, "Pu-ta, pu-ta, pu-ta." The replays vindicated the women refs every time.