Here's the most recent edition of Bwana Dik's popular Rio Guide.

Bwana Dik Rio Guide 2006 PDF BwanaDikRio2006.pdf (1006.3 k)

Bwana-I am sure Deeg will be touched by your dedication. Nice job all around!

Fellow foristas,

This new edition has a few new features. The termas section is divided into three sections: the first covers the majors (L, 4X4, etc.) and includes info on the two newest termas (Bononia, Cancun), the second covers an expanded group of second-tier places (502, Aquarius, 31, etc.), and the third provides an introduction to the "fast foda" real-a-minute casas in Centro.

The info on motels is expanded, as is the section on escort services.

There's also a new section for "Pão duros" (cheapskates).

More restaurants have been added (and a few removed).

Finally, the handy pocket guide at the end is also expanded.

I want to thank all the guys who provided information that was used here: Gibletpie, Keemo, BT, Jaguar (thanks for the bunda pic), Hemp, and many others.

Enjoy,

Bwana

Thanks Bwana for putting together this updated guide!

Admin: Submitted by Bwana Dik

Here's an HTML version that's been optimized for use with handheld devices. The table of contents is linked to the sections. This version is for download to Palms and Pocket PCs. Wombat88 did this conversion, so kudos to him.

RioGuide2006.zip

Bwana Dik

Thanks Bwana for putting your new guide!!!
It´s very better than the preceding!!

Bwana,

Once again you've done a fantastic job and everyone that goes to Rio really appreciates your efforts. It's an invaluable guide for newbies and even for a well trained observant veteran like me.

I just wish we could sometime travel together because I think you could keep me out of trouble. Most everyone else enjoys watching me wander into an agonizing situation; then all they do is laugh as I try to extract myself. Diversity was the last board member to pull that stunt on me and he's still laughing. You wouldn't do that to me, would you?

Have a Happy New Year my friend,

Jag

Jag,
I never derive pleasure from the misfortunes of others. Well, maybe I do on occasion. But in your case I would certainly intervene should the situation warrant it (i.e., were the threat of loss of life or limb nearly certain).

Bwana,

Many thanks for an excellent guide.

ChicaChaser

(Message edited by ChicaChaser on April 17, 2006)

My pleasure, ChicaChaser. I'm off to Brasil next work for more, ummmm, research. That's how I describe my trips to BRasil to my accountant when preparing taxes. Research trips, every last one of them.

Bwana, are you aware you guide was published verbatim on the HELP website?

Great guide and well-written, but I sure hope they got your permission for putting it there since anyone can see it.

http://www.discoteca-help.com/travel/thingstodo.htm

Bwana, your guide rocks. I dont know whether you should be flattered,or offended by Help using your guide.

I notice there is even a "mitchc" reference. Gotta love it.

Help asked permission...no problem.

Gcl,
The previous edition was dedicated to Turk. None of the other recent losers who have been banished merit such recognition. It sure was nice to re-read the Turk posts.

Bwana,

I will be in Rio this coming Monday and already your guide has been a help for hotels and visas. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the places mentioned.

Thanks

Enjoy, Quietman. I recently returned from a week + in Rio and had one of my best trips.

leaving for my third RIO trip in just two days, I simply must give thanks again, to the essential "Bwana_Dik Rio Guide"
Cudos

Appreciated, Danegoobia. I'll be doing a mid-2007 update (time permitting), as there have been some changes that need to be covered.

Have a great trip!
Bwana

Thanks Bwana. I give your guide to all my friends before their first trip to Brazil. Indispensable!

And the update will be coming eventually...

BD:
I have been looking for a good seafood restaurant with reasonable prices in Rio...any suggestions? I like Marius but I don't really eat that much, so an all you can eat Churrascaria is a waste. A romantic setting wouldn't hurt either.
Obrigado

High end Italian seafood, try Satryicon in Ipanema. But don't go there in flip flops, shorts or a wife-beater shirt or you'll be on the outside looking in.

Excellent choice. It is a place to remember and these days a check to remember for a blissman. But for SFHombre and Latina Lover, it is mere chump change.

Thye Maitre'd did require me to zip up my fly before my gf and I were seated. I thought I detected a strange draft just before I walked in. It was lovely but not stiffly formal. But I left my trademark "pull my finger" trick at home.

Just when I was about to write SF Hombre off as being borderline worthless he comes through with a solid recomendation like this.

LL, no spitting on the waiters, remember? You promised.

I've heard varying opinions about this place over the last year, some rave about it,while others say its merely an over priced good seafood restaurant.
Bliss,
Your pockets seemed deep enough to blow a few hundred on a liquid lunch overlooking the ocean at Mangos with me and the girls in Larcomar.

Side note for our Lima buds,
I strongly recommend Mangos for cocktails and a bite around 4pm to catch a serious sunset..bring a favorita.

LL, that was a wonderful afternoon, fine food, good friends, beautiful women and a slice of the earth that is breathtaking. But still say we should buy the mountain located east of Locamar. I have found a good deal on water cannon. Now if we can get enough green paint we should be able to paint the mountain green. The increased sale of postcards should more than offset the cost.

I have a couple of other projects that I need to bounce around with you. See you soon I hope.

From time to time, wipe the grease off of CFK's slipperly perspective while you two are in Rio, ok?

Bliss,

I've got the perspective under lock and key this trip! With LL and Jag as wingmen what could possibly go wrong?

LL,

Have you tried the McFish at McDonalds? I hear it's quite good, and you can get a sundae for your date there too.

Oh, and a Happy Meal for CFK.

Satyricon is sooooo 2005

I'd recommend the following places:

Fasano Al Mare, the restaurant in the new Fasano Hotel in Ipanema (Av. Vieira Souto, 80) has awesome seafood. Their specialty is Italian-style seafood. I think it's better than Satyricon was at its best.

Satyricon is still good, and maybe the best bet for upscale seafood after Fasano Al Mare.

Margutta (R. Henrique Dumont. 62, Ipanema) is an excellent upscale place, in the same class with the two already mentioned.

Pampa Oceano (R. Duvivier, 21, Copa) is reliably good, and has a rodizio-style menu similar to Marius.


For the Pão Duros in the crowd, rumor has it they are opening a Long John Silver's in Barra, but the cab fare might be prohibitive.

Bwana

(Message edited by Bwana_dik on April 09, 2008)

Fantastic. Mandatory text book for a series of college level course Rio de Janeiro 101 to 104.

Just some minor comments:
Mil Faces agency is known as "mil mentiras", a total fake lying agency that posts girl fotos stolen from other cities and sends you dogs instead. Does anyone here have multiple experiences to the contrary?

Also, I would not put massage parlors like belprazer in the same category as the R$ 10 places. I would put them in first tier, not third:

* They are cleaner then most 1 tier termas
* their room is nicer then most 1 tier termas
* their customers are Brazilian middle to upper class as most 1st tier termas
* they treat customers discreetly (hide one customer from the other) more then any 1st tier termas)

Of course, it is good if gringos don't flood these places and screw things up. For example they do NOT publish their addresses anywhere and are very discreet not to call attention. So groups of boisterous loud talking drunk gringoes roaming through business buildings looking for whore houses could really screw things up and get them closed.

BS-

I played down the nice massage places like Bel Prazer intentionally, fearing the response you posed. Now you have to go and tell the truth!

Just kidding. But the massage places are in truth not termas at all, and thus appear in the third category. Termas are first and foremost social settings, where people get together with their friends, have a few drinks, play around with the girls, and eventually head off to get laid.

The massage places are very different. Go in, look over the girls (but with little opportunity to interact), make your choice, and do the deed. These places are about getting laid and nothing else.

Apples and oranges. I know guys who hate termas and love the massage places, and I know guys who love the termas and hate the massage places. I enjoy both but generally opt for the termas because I like the opportunity to socialize both with the girls and the guys. When I go into a termas it's often a 3-6 hour stay, and it's like being at a party where you get to choose which girl(s) you'll fuck. At the massage places, you're in and out in an hour.

Different strokes for different folks.