UPDATE TO LAguy's REPORT:

Just finished another trip to Rio (lucky me!) and have the following to add to my earlier report:

Mid-Range Terma Explorations.
I went to two middle-range termas on this trip. Neither resembles a country club, but they are worth exploring if you get bored seeing the same girls and routines at the higher-end termas (or conclude that for Rio the high-end termas are over-priced).

Terma 30.
The preferred one of the two mid-level termas I visited on this trip. I had two excellent sessions there. I believe the price is R$130 an hour with no entrance fee. As a German I met in one of the higher-end termas said, while the garotas on average at Terma 30 may not be as attractive (on average) as at the higher-end termas, they try harder. I can confirm this with the caveat that some of the garotas I saw at Terma 30 were attractive, and competitive with the higher-end places. IMHO they also gave better sex than what I have come to expect at the higher-end places. In fact, combining Terma 30 with Terma 61 (described below) I had three sessions in total, all including anal sex, and two including (without my asking) rimming. All three let me take pictures, although one hid her face.
Directions to Terma 30: To get there walk up Rio Branco past Av. President Vargas until you get to Rua Mayrink Veiga, 30, a street that does not appear on my otherwise detailed tourist map. Make a left onto Mayrink and a couple of blocks down 30 will be on the right side of the street. Actually, I would have ended up going to Terma 30 more than once but for a (in hindsight) humorous incident. As I was walking up to Terma 30 (it is not in the best part of centro, and care should particularly be taken at night) there was a flurry of police cars arriving at Rua Mayrink Veiga. The police cars surrounded four large (perhaps 20 or 24 foot) panel trucks with flashing lights on top. The policemen got out of their cars, had their semi-automatics out and ready, and blocked the entire street off. I thought it best to leave, and I did. Only later did I learn that the Central Bank is located here, and they periodically have large deliveries that require massive security.

Terma 61, located at Rua Acre, 61 (not to be confused with the high-end Terma 65).
The door to this terma includes the word CIA; whether this “terma” is associated with the agency CIAplus I don’t know. This terma (like Terma 30) is located in a area I would not want to be in after about 9 or 10 p.m. But early evening is probably okay so long as you don’t stick out like a sore thumb. On the Monday I visited, it did not open until 4:30 p.m., and there were very few garotas until a couple of hours later. This terma is really a cross between a terma and a massage parlor. There are two floors with bars, both of which are not bad. Actually the bars were roomier than at most other termas, something I liked. There does not seem to be a sauna or steam room, although it is possible I missed them. The rooms are adequate, not up to the standards of the higher-end termas, but not like the lower-end massage parlors. Air conditioning, double bed, a shower in the room (at least when I bought the hour session) etc. Cost is R$10 to enter (which gets you a couple of drinks), around R$60 for a 30-minute session, R$105 for an hour, and in between for in-between sessions. The place may have some potential, but it was difficult to judge on the Monday I was there because as I was leaving (around 7 p.m.) more garotas were showing up and so I don't believe I experienced it at its best. Nonetheless, before leaving I did have a very enthusiastic session from a garota who, however, was probably the least attractive of the garotas I had sessions with on this trip (around a 5 face, although her body gets a 6 to low 7). Saw some other garotas in the overall six to seven range as I was leaving.
Directions to Terma 61: To get there you could take Rua Uruguaiana north from the Uruguaiana metro station; cross Rua President Vargas, continue on Uruguaiana until you reach an intersection where Rua Acre goes off to the right at approx. a 45 degree angle. A couple of blocks down on Rua Acre and 61 is on your right.

Vila Mimosa Re-visited.
Actually re-visited three times on this trip. I know that this place gets a bad rap, and I understand that it is not for everyone. The rooms range from slightly filthy to filthy, and you are not going to be able to wear your terma robe and chomp on your favorite cigar while there. But I continue to have some of my most memorable (good) experiences there and after about 10 visits, I have seen nothing to substantiate the rumors, possibly spread by persons with an economic interest in spreading such rumors, about it being a dangerous place (although the area around Vila Mimosa is, and therefore always go to Vila Mimosa in a taxi). On my last Rio visit, my favorite garota of the 21 I had sessions with may well have been one I met at Vila Mimosa, although this is a close call. She was a stunning 1st day on the programa garota, with the type of body many Americans fantasize about (fairly big, well-shaped breasts, generally slim otherwise) and a fabulous personality to match. Also, I had some other very good sessions there. As best as I can say it, the top 10 to 15 percent of the Vila Mimosa girls are competitive IMHO in looks with the top 30 to 40 percent of the higher-end terma girls. The bottom 25 percent of the Vila Mimosa girls are competitive in looks with your grandma (no disrespect intended), after she has been dead for a few weeks (and assuming no embalming)! So, it all depends on what you choose to concentrate on. Now the beaut I had a session with this time had a better body than any of the terma girls I was with, had a great personality, etc., etc. But part of it is the luck of the draw on a given day, and as I noted in my earlier report if you get there too early, you are not going to see the best talent. Also, the better looking garotas tend to congregate in the bars to the left of the main street; most of the window shopping (owing to the way Vila Mimosa is laid out) is in the allies to the right of the main road; if you stick with the areas to the right and don’t check out the bars on the left, the level of talent you will see will not be as good.

Moving right along to the lower-end massage parlors.
First let me say that the average garota I had a session with at the lower-end massage parlors was every bit as good as the average garota I had a session with at the higher-end termas. This does not mean that the average garota at the massage parlors is equal to the average garota at the termas. With the massage parlors you have to go through a greater winnowing out process checking out a number of parlors before making your choice. This, however, is not so difficult, because, as described below, there are sometimes two, three, or four parlors in the same building. I don't want to mislead you into thinking that a lower-end massage parlor experience (for anywhere between $R10 and $R55) will equal a terma experience. But much of the difference will be in the facilities, and this is largely what you are paying for at the termas. For many, the extra money at the termas will be well-spent. The lower-end massage-parlors’ facilities rank generally from downright skanky to somewhat questionable. But if all I did was go to termas, I would probably get bored after going to the same ones day after day. The massage parlors represent a different sort of experience.

Uruguaiana, 24.
In my last report I recommended a garota named Vanessa at Sonhu’s at Largo de Sao Francisco, sala 317 (on the 3rd floor). On this trip I learned she is now working at Uruguaiana, 24, 2nd floor (there is also a massage parlor on the third floor of this address; in both instances, the massage parlors are the only businesses on the respective floors, as is also the case at Travessa do Ouvidor, 37, and the two locations I will refer to below on Rua Buenos Aires. Thirty minutes for $50, including anal, and while YMMV, photos throughout the session were allowed both times I saw her. Vanessa also frequents Help, so you may find that the garota you paid good money for at Help can be had for much less at a massage parlor. Note, however, there is a second girl named Vanessa at this location, although she may be the “mama-san,” I’m not sure. All I know is that when my Vanessa wanted something, she would shout “Vanessa,” and later told me there were two Vanessas, her and the other one.
Directions to Uruguaiana, 24. Very easy to get to this place: get off the metro at Carioca station, head north onto Uruguaiana, and then walk a couple of blocks. 24 is on the right side of the street, and that is all you will see on the entranceway, the number “24.” Be sure to check out both the 3rd floor here, and the second, where Vanessa currently (but who knows about next week?) works.

Rua Buenas Aires,85 and 113.
I tried two multi-level massage locations on Rua Buenos Aires at addresses 113 and 85. The quality of the facilities and garotas is a bit better at 85, where some of the floors are set up with small bars where you can relax and talk to the garota of your choice, like at a terma. At both addresses (each of which has about five floors) you can take the stairs or elevator from floor to floor and check things out. I had the best luck at 85 on floor 4 (to the best of my memory). There are also massage places on the third and fifth floors, again to the best of my memory. At 113, the massage parlor floors include the 2nd and 3rd, although there may be more. At these places (and other similar ones) you pay around $R20 for 20 minutes, R$30 for 30 minutes and sometimes $R10 for 10 minutes, if that is what you want and you are quick on the trigger. Anal usually adds around $R10.
Directions: Both of these places, i.e., 85 and 113, can be reached by taking the Metro to the Uruguaiana station, taking the Uruguaiana exit, going right (south), on Uruguaiana for about a block to Rua Buenos Aires, then taking a left onto Buenas Aires, and then checking out the numbers on the right side of the street. You should probably pass by 113 and proceed to 85 if this is your first time exploring this scene. You can always backtrack. Or, if you decide you would like to go higher end after checking these places out, you can continue to Rua Buenos Aires, 44, and you will be at quatro quatro. Alternatively, if you are walking from the Carioca station, just take Uruguaiana north (which is just north of the Largo Carioca square where the metro is located) until you reach Rua Buenos Aires, maybe a ten-minute walk, and then take a right on Rua Buenos Aires.

Rua Ouvidor, 130/707.
I also had very good luck at Rua Ouvidor, 130, room 707 (on the seventh floor). Two excellent sessions. Note, however, that as is the case at many of these massage parlors, the best-looking garotas are often in sessions, so if you don’t see what you want initially, it may be worth sticking around for 10 or 20 minutes to see what else shows up. This is particularly appropriate where they serve drinks.
As to how to find this place, Rua Ouvidor runs parallel to Rua Buenos Aires, two or three blocks south.
Directions are essentially the same as to Rua Buenos Aires parlors, only substitute Rua Ouvidor for Rua Buenos Aires. Incidentally, if you are at Rua Ouvidor, 130 and feel like taking a walk you may want to continue east on that street until you reach Rua Ouvidor, 28, a few blocks down. I went there fairly early in the day owing to an ad that said they gave Thai massages. Went up the first flight of stairs and there it was. A pretty receptionist, but the garotas were borderline at best. Not good enough for a session. However, the receptionist told me that more garotas would be there later, so your luck may be better. For a lower-end massage parlor the décor seemed a bit better than usual. The prices were also a tad higher, I believe R$50 for 30 minutes. Didn’t take a session so I can’t tell you what the Thai massage is about, other than to say that it is not given by a Thai.

Travessa do Ouvidor, 37.
In my earlier report I commented on a “terma” (really a couple of floors of massage parlors) at Travessa do Ouvidor, 37. My directions were not great, since Travessa Ouvidor is a short lane that only intersects with two streets. I now recommend the following route. Get off the Metro at the Carioca station. At the Carioca station take the Rio Branco exit and then head northon Rio Branco to Rua Ouvidor, where you should make a right. In about a block you will be at the intersection of Rua Ouvidor and Travessa do Ouvidor. Take a right onto Travessa do Ouvidor and in about a quarter of a block, 37 will be on your right. Go in the unmarked entrance (unmarked except for the street number), go up the stairs to the second and/or third floors, and you will see the line-ups. Not great but when I went there this time there were a couple of lookers, and the sessions I had there were not bad (but far from luxurious). But what do you expect for around $7 to $10?

Bummer: Picture taking More Difficult this Time Around.
In my earlier comparison of Rio and Thailand, I suggested that one advantage of Rio was that the garotas would enthusiastically pose for pictures, usually nude, and sometimes during the act itself. On my latest trip there seemed to be a bit more hesitation to do this, particularly at the higher-end termas. There are probably a variety of reasons for this. First, as documented in South America chat, Rio Rat has been telling many of the girls that their pictures are being posted on the internet. Second, and related to this, as time goes on many of the garotas are figuring out that some of the picture are posted. In this regard, a very high percentage of the girls who would let me take pictures on this trip insisted that they not be posted on the internetchi (sp?). While it has been suggested that I should ask their permission and then post here if it is given, just bringing up the possibility of posting on the internet would likely have a chilling effect and compromise any hope of taking many of the garota’s pictures. Indeed, it often took a lot of convincing that I would not post before a garota would agree to pose. The third possible reason for additional hesitancy may be related to the current crackdown, still of indeterminate magnitude, on some of the pay for play businesses, although to date the termas and most of the massage parlors seem to be operating more or less as usual. I say more or less because a garota at quatro quatro, who in the past enthusiastically posed for all sorts of pictures, told me that there is a new policy against picture taking at that terma (during the session she told me maybe 10 times not to let anyone know I had a camera; she also made sure in was well-hidden in my robe (you can fill in the blanks as to whether or not she agreed to pose this time). I only understand a small amount of Portuguese but it sounded like this new anti-photo policy was out of concern for the present political and law enforcement situation in Brazil and the Rio area. In this regard, a number of minor-league agencies have been closed recently, allegedly for employing underage garotas, but there is a suspicion this was merely a pretext (and, indeed, there is some question whether any underage employees were found). It should be noted that to date the crackdown is nothing like what happened in Thailand a year and a half to two years ago, and it is unclear that it will really affect much in the future. But it would not be shocking if it does, particularly given there is a fundamentalist mayor in Rio, and that while Lula (the new President) has focused on stopping underage prostitution it is possible that this could turn into a more general anti-prostitution campaign.
Nonetheless, I still managed to take quite a few pictures, although a greater number of garotas than in the past only allowed faceless pictures. Also, in contrast to my past experiences, it now appears that for pictures you may be better off at the mid to lower end termas, the massage parlors, or Vila Mimosa, than at the termas that most readers of this board are familiar with. But this conclusion could change as the internet as a vehicle for distributing pictures becomes better known among the garotas at the lower-end places and it could also be affected by the political/law enforcement situation..

Beach Girls Terma, now deceased?
In my last report, I mentioned a mid-range terma in Copacabana, Beach Girls. Based on three attempted visits on this trip, it appears it is closed.

One addition to my Thailand/Rio comparison, which may have been skewed slightly in favor of Rio.
Having now experienced a number of massages by Rio garotas, I can state that while the garotas seem to almost instinctively know how to give great sex, this does not spill over to an ability to give a decent massage. Every time I have asked for a massage the result has been laughable, at least in comparison to what I have gotten routinely in Thailand. On this factor, give one to the Thais.
That's it for now!

Great update, Laguy. I visited a number of the same places on my last trip and had a great time, though I must say I'm still not sold on VM, and have witnessed a pretty bloody fight there.

BTW, the CIA you saw is just an abbreviation for "company" (equivalent to our "Co.").

I agree with you about the Thai/Brasil comparison on massages, though truth be told, when in Thailand I go to a traditional massage place if what I really want is a massage. Soapies are interesting, but after a while I found them neither erotic nor especially relaxing. It is easy, though to find a good massage in BKK but not so easy in Rio. But that's OK; in Rio I focus on dick massages, and the girls of Rio are more skilled in that arena, in my estimation, than are their Thai sisters.

Thanks again for the great reporting.

LAGuy,

Thanks for the report. It is really nice to read about the lesser known areas, Termas, and massage parlors of Rio.

After re-reading my update, the following clarifications are in order. (1)When discussing the pricing at Uruguaiana, 24 I should have said $R50, not $50. This price included anal, and if my previous experiences with Vanessa are any indication, without may be lower.
In contrast, the $7 to $10 referred to in my discussion of Travessa do Ouvidor, 37, was meant to refer to U.S. dollars.
Bwana dik: I am interested in knowing the circumstances surrounding the fight you saw at VM, assuming that you know. While I personally feel relatively comfortable there, I feel a responsibility to the members of this board not to overstate that it is relatively safe if there have been instances of violence that reflect on its overall safety. A litle more info about your experiences there might help present a balanced view.

Nice work on the reports. It is much apprecitated.

Enjoy the life,

Moondog

Laguy,
It's hard to say what precipitated the fight. I got out of the way pretty quickly because shit was flying everywhere...I almost got hit by a bottle tossed by one of the combatants. It seemed to be a fight over a woman (but aren't most?). The two guys absolutely beat the crap out of each other, and no security tried to intervene...that's what worried me the most. I've seen fights elsewhere (the Terraço by Help, etc.), but some security has always stepped in pretty quickly.

I agree that it is best to cab into and out of VM. One can walk from the nearby metro station, but the neighborhood is a very rough one. And I do think it's worth a visit, but visiting with a local might be a good idea during one's first visit.

LAGuy - Terrific report on a topic under-reported on this Board. Thanks!

I just thought of a couple of other things I should have included in my update, so here goes.

Rua Carioca, 57. As before, this place has massage parlors on the 4th and 5th floors; also, I believe there is one on the 3rd floor but I haven't checked it out. There is now a new parlor on the heretofore non-existent 6th floor, although I didn't see anything worth writing home about at that parlor.
The parlor that seems to have the most and best garotas is on the 5th floor, Hollywood (mentioned in my earlier reort) next to the elevator (just to the right as you get off the elevator). Had a session this time, $R30 for 30 minutes including anal and a couple of pictures; last time I went there the garota (a different one) did not allow pictures. To get five more pictures this time I offered the garota R$10 (about $3.50), and after trying to get R$20, she finally agreed to the R$10) Based on appearance and probably performance the garota I had this trip could easily have qualified for work at one of the higher-end termas.

In this area of town (including the square Largo Carioca,next to the Carioca metro station), there are a fair number of men (and women) handing out small handbills to those passing by advertising the various massage parlors. Assuming you have shed your gay image (just kidding) and look like a normal stud as you walk around the centro area, you will likely accumulate a number of these, some of which include promotions (like free beer, or two nuts for the price of 1) if you show the handbill on entry to the advertised massage parlor. I have found though that even if you don't have one of these handbills, you, as a gringo, will still be treated fairly generally, and don't have to worry (generally) about the price gouging that occurs in places like Thailand.
The handbills also represent a good way to discover massage parlors that either just opened up, or that you simply haven't heard about before.

I also visited for the first time Rio Antigo (sp?) terma on this trip. Had a very good session there although could not take any pictures (I tried to get two garotas there to agree, and neither would). Facilities are a bit better than at the other higher-end termas I have visited (i.e., Monte Carlo, Solarium, Quatro, 65, Luomo) but the garotas were slightly worse in appearance on average.

How do you get from the Gloria Metro station to Rio Antigo terma? Is it within walking distance?

Rio Antigo is within easy walking distance of the Gloria Metro station. You leave the station and head north on Gloria, in the direction of centro. There is almost a Y in the road around where you get off from the station; make sure you stay on the left side road, i.e., Gloria. As you leave the metro station you will see to the right and just behind you a famous church that is on a hill, the name I don't have handy but its worth a sidetrip, particularly for the view from up there. Anyway, you keep walking (away from where the church is) until you hit Rua Joaquim Silva, you make a left on that street, and on the north side, perhaps 1/4 block down will be Rio Antigo, address is #2.
This is to the best of my memory. I notice, however, that someone else posted on one of the boards that you make a right on Rua Joaquim Silva rather than left; I think that is wrong. In any case, given that the address is 2 Rua Joaquim Silva, it shouldn't be too difficult to find once you're at the intersection of that street and Gloria.
Hope this helps.

One small clarification regarding the directions I just gave. I believe the name of the street as you get off the metro is Gloria. If it is not, just take whatever street runs north, and slightly to the left (rather than the big street that bears off to the right). Take it until you reach Rua Joaquim Silva. I am going to guess it is about five or six blocks, but my memory on this is hazy.

The walking distance is quite a bit shorter, a block and half maybe, not much more than that. Once you hit Joaquim Silva, BAM! it's right there as you turn left.

Although I posted what follows in the primary thread (from seven years ago!), I thought I would also post it here since some of what I discuss I also discussed in the "Update" above. Sorry, about the redundancy:

Well, I posted this "update" almost seven years ago and I thought I would follow-up on some of what I wrote then after having taken a short trip to Rio recently.

I was somewhat surprised that a number of the low-end apartments I visited seven years ago still exist, and cost about the same (at least in reais). For example, Rua Carioca, 59 is still the same old sleazy place it was before, with prices in the R$1 per minute range. I had one okay session there, R$20 for twenty minutes, anal included. However, it seems the number of girls who do anal may be somewhat less than before.

One place that either is relatively new, or I just missed on past trips, is Rua Carioca, 40. This place is a bit more obvious than your typical apartment as it is set up more like a low-end club. You go up the stairs and enter a room that is perhaps 20 feet by 30 or 40 feet, with a bar on one end, and girls sitting and standing along the perimeter of the room. From amongst the beasts I did find one attractive girl who I spent 20 or 30 minutes with. While attractive, her service was not up to Rio standards, although the experience was not too bad. I don't remember the exact price but it was slightly more than $R1 per minute.

Travessa do Ouvidor, 37 still exists but has only one (or possibly two) floors operating. The pickings were rather slim when I visited and I therefore passed. However, as with all the lower-end places you might visit one time and only see beastly gordas, and next time find exactly what you are looking for (with the exception of clean sheets and a moldless room).

Of the low-end places I liked the most this trip are a couple of places I covered in the update to the above report. The first is Rua Uruguaiana, 24, which has around five floors. Each has a small bar, some girls, and essentially cubicles as rooms. You can essentially go floor to floor, stopping for a beer or so whenever, to see if there is anything interesting. The bars are not that different from Vila Mimosa bars, although because everything is indoors the atmosphere is perhaps somewhat different.

Similarly with Rua Buenos Aires, 85, which got quite a bit buzz here many years ago because of one girl who was working there (whose name I have since forgotten). It is the same fire-trap as before, with essentially a circular staircase so narrow it is difficult for one person to go up the stairs and another down simultaneously(although this is what you do). Don't get too drunk here because you might find yourself falling down the difficult to negotiate staircase if you lose your ability to be sure of foot. In any case, with about five floors, and bars on each floor, it can be an interesting experience and you might find what you want.

I should mention I also visited Quatro, but as it was a holiday the "A" team did not seem to be working. Also, I also meant to take in a session or two at a couple of the mid-priced apartments in Centro, which probably represent the best compromise between price and attractive garotas in a comfortable and sanitary bedroom environment, but got side-tracked.

Anyway, with the exception of Help closing, and the real gaining strength against the dollar, things haven't really changed that much, most particularly with respect to the apartments in Centro.

(Message edited by laguy on May 23, 2010)