I'd love to take a trip to Rio and visit these termas I keep hearing about on the board, but I've never been outside the US and do not speak any Portugese or Spanish. I figure with Rio being such a big area for tourism, there has to be ways around the language barrier if you plan accordingly? Is there anybody who does not speak the language that can offer some advise on how to make the most of my trip?

Also, about how much money do I need to set away for a 5 day trip(including airfair, hotels, fun, etc.). I have about $5K stashed away right now. Do I need much more than that to make the trip worthwile?

I apologize if some of these questions sound ridiculous. However, like I said, I am a complete newbie, and want to avoid as many rookie mistakes as possible when I book this trip. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Contact Don or Ken at amerioca.net
and you will be taken care of.
Hemp

Badcold75,

Your dollar amount will be fine for a 5 day trip. Don & Ken can set you up for everything you need, housing, taxis, etc. Think of them as an "all inclusive" tour package. Come to think of it, those Garotas love Ken's package, as you will see when he takes you to your first terma!
Their US phone number is on the web site, give em a call........have a super trip

CFK

Badcold is probably a good handle for your first trip to Rio. Nearly everyone gets one during their first trip owing to the close proximity of their tongues to the garotas' tonsils. But it is worth it.

I agree hooking up with Amerioca is probably the best solution to your lack of Portuguese language skills (in addition though, you might also want to purchase Pimsleur Portuguese CDs so you can learn some of the language--although not as good as their full program, I believe Barnes and Noble sells some abbreviated Pimsleur courses (co-branded with Barnes and Noble) at reasonable prices).

You could definitely go to Rio without speaking any Portuguese and have a great time (for sure). Any decent hotel will have a bi-lingual staff. Marriott and Princess Copacabana come to mind.
All the main termas have one receptionist who speaks english. As for the restaurants, any of them in Ground Zero (ie around Help) have menus in both languages. Gyms, internet cafes, etc. all have people who speak English -- again, assuming Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio is massive, but you will find the area you are going has everything acessible within 5 square blocks.

It might be a different language, but I guarantee if you learn to just say a few words: gostosa, tudo bem, muito dinero, reais and safado you will be perfectly fine!

Dude before you just go there and spend money on some guide...READ!!!! Read the numerous trip reports and trip guides for Rio. I don't know if you are going solo or what your mongering experiences are, but don't just jump on the guide thing without doing some research first.

Portuguese is great but not essential to enjoying a trip to Rio. The basic mongering scene in Rio is not hard to figure out especially for terma visits. If you need a guide for a terma visit than you shouldn't be travelling,LOL. Thats how easy it is. The other venues (Help,MP, TA etc) can be risky, but if you read and follow the rules you should be okay.

I don't want to rehash the guide debate, but just wanna advise this guy of other options so he doesn't think thats the only way to go. Especially these days with the weaker dollar, if you don't have to spend money on something why do it. If after doing your research you feel that the guide is the way to go than by all means do it, but take it from many of us who never used one and have been going to Rio for years with no problems... YOU DON'T NEED A GUIDE!!!!!! Contact these guys if you need an apartment and/or rent a phone, outside of that you don't need to pay no guide to accompany you to the termas.

Alright!!! FLAME ON GUYS....LOL

Let's see..."complete newbie", first trip to Rio, never been outside the US, doesn't speak any Portuguese...I could not think of any better recommendation than Don and Ken.

I agree. Read everything on the board and especially Bwanas Rio Guide but do not wade into that Rio tar pit unarmed. Well worth what ever it costs you for your first visit.

I lived there for almost 2 years. Trust the advice. Do not try to go it solo for your first mongering trip especially of it is Rio.

Ee2002. No flame. Just pure common sense!

I myself have never used a guide, and initially was a bit skeptical about Don and Ken's services given that I did it myself using information on the internet, including this site. However, there are two reasons I would recommend using Amerioca given the question posed by this thread.

First, Badcold says he is a complete newbie and has never been outside the U.S. You need street smarts as well as a bit of an international perspective to do Rio on your own, and even then there are risks. Not to mention some mongering experience. Based on how Badcold described himself, it doesn't sound like his "resume" is sufficient to do Rio alone.

Second, over time I have seen that Don (and Ken by extension, although I'm not sure I have dealt directly with Ken before) can be very helpful and seems to have a good heart. Given the nature of their business this is not always the case, and there is always the danger of entrusting yourself to a scam artist, particularly if you are a newbie like Badcold.

So, taking all this into account, my recommendation to Badcold about using Amerioca would seem to make sense.

double post deleted--sorry about that.

(Message edited by LAguy on September 09, 2008)

OTOH,

he could just wait and go with Jag sometime and really have an interesting trip, assuming he survives!

CFK: Based on your last post, I'm beginning to think maybe you were secretly flying that plane I was on a few days ago where the pilot aborted the landing at the last minute and gunned the engines and started flying nearly straight up just to scare us passengers. Then again that experience pales in comparison to your recommendation that Badcold go with Jag. I suppose if you were flying that airplane you would have then proceeded to do a few whirlies (sp?) and flip-arounds (yes, that is a technical term) in the air before trying another landing.

LAguy,

whirlies (sp?) and flip-arounds (yes, that is a technical term)
I hope you shit your pants!

CFK

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on September 09, 2008)

>>I hope you shit your pants!<<

Isn't that the motto of all U.S.-based airlines these days?

Wow...Thanks for all the advice! I haven't checked the board the past few days assuming nobody would reply.

I definately think I'll contact Amerioca. From what I am hearing, they are a legit organization, and I would rather spend the extra money on my first trip knowing somebody is looking out for me that knows the area. After I've been there once, and know what I am getting into, I can try to go solo and save some cash.

Thanks again for teh advise. I'll be sure to post trip report regarding my experience.