First - my hat goes off to Brazil Specialis! His advice and assistance made my quick trip to Rio THE trip to remember.

My first stop occurred on 8 February at the Termas Centarus. Although Centaurus closes at 2:00 a.m. and I arrived at midnight, the experience more than met my expectations. The girls were gorgeous.

As has been reported often in Club Hombre, there are girls who try to attach themselves to you immediately (in the dressing room). I headed straight to the shower room to shake my newfound best friend.

With my robe and flip-flops, I hit the bar and was amazed by the number of beautiful women available. After a couple of beers and some broken conversations in Portuguese/Spanish, I selected Flavia.

I was surprised at the room. Given the hour that I arrived, I did not upgrade the time or room and decided to stay with 40 minutes. Inspite of the decision not to upgrade, the room was very nice and the bed was spacious and comfortable.

Flavia is a gorgeous 20 y/o who stands 1.75 and has an amazing body. The sex was good and it was a pretty good GFE.

Centaurus is definitely expensive. BUT, if you want a selection of gorgeous women without the hassle of negotiation, this is a great club. I didn't try any of the other Termas in Rio, but I doubt the women in any of the other top clubs (4x4, L'oumo, Monte Carlo) could rival those at Centaurus.

My days on the 9th and 10th were filled with work, so my time for fun was limited to the evenings. Brazil Specialis introduced me to a couple of beautiful women.

I took a room at his place (great location and room) and spent my nights there. The girls were incredible and very reasonable. Both were top notch GFEs.

These ladies were fun, funny, sexy, hot and very much into sex. Both made me feel like I was the center of attention.

Unfortunately, I have no photographs of the ladies with whom I spent time. It doesn't matter. Each lady was beautiful - trust me!

The good news?!?! I am in the process of establishing a new business venture in Brazil that will take me to Rio three to four times per year. There will be MUCH MORE FUN TO COME!

Longtalltexan3,

Beggin your pardon in advance, I take concern with your statement "Unfortunately, I have no photographs of the ladies with whom I spent time. It doesn't matter".

Can you elaborate why you have none?

Is it that you didn't take any? If so is it because you had no camera? If so why?

OR:

Is it that you took pictures but do not plan to share eith your fellow mongers.

OR

Is it that the girls did not want their pictures taken?

I do trust that BS provided you with stunners and that is the reason I am curious to see what garotas he has available at this time.

Cheers,


Cubanut

"I didn't try any of the other Termas in Rio, but I doubt the women in any of the other top clubs (4x4, L'oumo, Monte Carlo) could rival those at Centaurus"

That's a really strange comment for a newbie make. With zero experience for comparison, how would you know?

Cat, obviously he was blown away by the garotas at Centaurus. Do you have to take newbie enthusiasm so literally and rip into him? My first time there, every garota I met was the MOST beautiful (of course, only by comparison to here). Naturally, I reevaluated my wide-eyed reactions on the next trip, and by the fifth or so visit, I saw a range of beauty (and unattractiveness). What was YOUR first experience like?

Jeez, man, let the guy enjoy. He'll come down to earth naturally in due course.

Tex, thanks for your report, and good luck with establishing an excuse for repeated, paid visits to Rio.

Wow! So many comments (and some venom, too). Thanks for feedback. I'll take 'em in order...

Pictures - I had a camera. I forgot to take the dang thing to Centaurus, but let's face facts. My mind was elsewhere, if you get my drift.

I had ample opportunity to take photos of the lovely ladies I met with BS, but in this case, discretion is the better part of valor. In addition, I was asked to protect the identities of one of these young ladies. I am a gentleman and therefore happy to do so.

So, Cubanut, I apologize for the lack of photography. However, given your numerous trips and posts, I doubt that the few photos I might have produced could have provided much pleasure.

Catocony - Chill, bro. Like the man said, it was my first trip and I was mesmorized. Not necessarily by the beauty of the women as much as by the machine that is the sex trade in Rio. It is AWESOME.

I do plan to visit some of the other Termas during subsequent trips, so I'll revisit your question at that time.

Hunterman - Thanks for having a newbie's back. I agree with your comment about a "range of beauty (and unattractiveness)". I saw beautiful women of all colors, shapes, ages and sizes. Unfortunately, I also saw poverty that is truly heartbreaking.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll do better next time - promise!

LTT

Take the comment about C being superior to other Ts with the proverbial grain of salt. LTT will be back, and he'll learn that no terma is superior to the others in any meaningful way because:

1. preferences vary from person to person
2. the talent at the Ts changes from week to week and month to month.

Welcome to the club, LTT!

First Time In Rio...

im going to rio for the first time on march 20th. can anyone recommend me a mongering tour guide???

He said he "doubted" the others could rival Centaurus. He didn't say he "knew". It's just his opinion and he is entitled to it without getting his balls busted.

Longtall, I will say that if that is the only one you hit, you are missing out on some other experiences. Going to the same place over and over again gets old. Venture out next time and you might even have a better time.

Palace12-

Get ahold of Don and Ken at Amerioca:

http://www.amerioca.net

Palace12

Don is a great guide and will be well worth it for 1st time visitor.

Bwana Dik
How have you been doing? I've been away from Rio for about two years, spending most my time in Manila and BKK. Plan to head back to Rio around Labor Day.

ditto on Don and Ken, top notch guides

GZ-
I was wondering where you'd disappeared to! I was just in BKK until a day ago. I'm back in Rio 4/2. Catch you there some time.
BD

GROWND ZERO-
WHITTY-

Thanks for the lead. i will be sure to bring back a full report..any other advice for a first timmer like myself??

I MAY BE INTRESTED IN BUYING A CONDO/ APARTMENT IN RIO IF IT IS ALL THAT IVE BEEN TOLD. ANY IDEA WHAT ABOUT $200 TO $300K usd CAN GET YOU??

can get you swindled if you are not careful.

Depends alot on area, condition, purpose (investment or personal use), personal preferences.

200K to 300K should get you a nice place in Copa. Should get you an oceanfront. But, there are alot of gotchas.

ANJINHO-

THX FOR THAT ADVICE..LOOKING FOR MORE FOR PERSONAL USE...WHAT ARE THE SCAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THIS TYPE OF TRANSACTION?

I would say do not do it first, unless you have a good set of people to work with. Problem is that there is no escrow agency arrangement in brazil that I have seen. And you have to ensure that there are no liens on the seller or the property. To do this you need to go to a number of agencies to get the proper certifications. There are a number of people (brazilian and Gringo alike) that will try and sell you property at an inflated price or without the necessary documentation to complete the transaction.

I would say you need a good real estate lawyer, expeditor (expediente), real estate agent, and general contractor. Also need to figure out how you are going to get this money to brazil and avoid getting your money tied up by the banking system. Know how the money should be transferred. Also be aware that if you try and bring the money in personally, there are custom limits that you can bring in. Also, you may want a paper trail of the money you brought in in the event you need to get the money out of the country.

Palace12-

One other piece of advice: can you lay off with the use of caps? Notice that others here use upper and lower cases. That's because using all caps is THE INTERNET VERSION OF SHOUTING.

Thanks!

Anjinho-

Thanks again for the advice. seems like this is not going to be as simple as i thought.

Branquinho-

I am new to the site so i wasnt aware of that. If that was constructive advice thanks .If you were trying to be an ass____ about it then..
F___ Y__...can you figure that one out?

Palace,

Good luck on your real estate purchase in Rio. Don't listen to Anjinho, he knows not of what he speaks. Just make sure you pay with a cashiers check drawn in dollars on a US bank and move right in to your apartment.

As soon as you move in there you get a residency visa, so no need to worry about that. All the contractors are honest, and the real estate brokers are honest to the point that you won't even need title insurance or anything like that. All the paperwork will be in English and all the people you need to deal with speak fluent English. It's easy as cake and all. Considering that you've never been to the country, don't speak a word of Portuguese but are bragging to us about your bankroll to buy a place in a country you've never been to and don't speak the language, I can assure you that the friendly locals will LOVE TO MEET YOU AS SOON AS YOU GET OFF THE PLANE.

IN FACT, I WILL BE IN RIO ON THE 20TH WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND CAN ARRAINGE TO PICK YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT AND INTRODUCE YOU to some real estate professionals. I read where you're new to mongering so I can introduce you to some friendly local prostitutes who would also love to meet you and your bankroll. I also read where you were interested in buying property in Panama as well; by chance, I know friendly locals in Panama as well, if you would like to add some more to your bankroll you could buy a place there as well.

And I agree, F____ Branquino, he's only been on the board for years and knows the ins and outs of mongering in general and Brasil in particular.

That's why we're here, to help newbies like yourself handle your big bankroll.

Oh, you inquired about guide service for Panama, do you require a guide in Brasil? Or are you just going to have a hooker open house after you move into your new place?

Palace,

If you have never been to Brazil before, then my advice is to first visit the place and see if you like it. If you do, then you should consider purchasing an apartment, but it does not make sense to be looking for an apartment in a locale that you have not visited.

In fact, I think that you should make multiple visits before making such a decision. After multiple visits, you will have a better feeling for the situation in Rio. You will also have experienced first hand people trying to get into your pocket, and hopefully will have started to get a feeling for who you can trust or not. Note: just because they are from this board does not necessarily make them trust worthy either.

Catocony-

Thanks also for your advice. Let me be very clear on somthing. By no means am I trying to portray that I have some large bankroll. I am a hard working american like the majority of us.Me and a few of my buddies thought it would be cool to put our $$ together and buy a place in an ultimate mongering city to go and come as we please.$200 to $300k is not so much coming from a few guys put together. As for panama, thats just another place of intrest. We are not looking to buy in both.

BLUESTRAVELLER-
You are right. It will definately take more than one visit. i am just trying to do my homework before i get there so when i do get there i can be as informed as possible and take advantage of every second that i am there. kinda regret i ever even put that out there on this board. just thought id try and get some advise from some pros. thanks for your advise

I think Palace12 should forego a guide and simply go alone to look for a place on a hill somewhere in Rio, you know, view property. A cashier's check might be too burdensome; it would be better if he just brought cash for the purchase.

In case he gets himself in a jam though, he should learn the Portuguese equivalent of F___ Y__; it's amazing how easy it is to intimidate the owners of the hill property with some "salty" lanugage.

And the hill properties are surprisingly affordable.

So the fact that Palace went only once did not get through to me. By all means, Palace should go there several times before making that decision. There is alot to consider before plunking down that kind of money here. I spent probably been here 20 times before I made that decision. Also had lived there in the early 80's. So, I THOUGHT I knew what I was getting into.

Found out that I needed to know more even then.

Anjinho,

You misread - Palace has never been to Rio. In other posts in different threads he states he's only been to Tijuana and the DR (Sosua).

HOMBRES-

you are all right. thanks again to all for the advice. this will be my first trip to rio and again, i am only doing my homework right now. i am sure it will take many trips for me and my group to make a constructive decision.i am new to the site and mongering. this site has been great for me as far as information. i see there are some experienced veteran here so i was just trying to get some feedback from the pros

Palace, buying property in Brazil is tricky. Title insurance as we know it doesnt exist in Brazil at this time. I keep thinking there is a business opportunity for someone if they can ever navigate the system. Okay, so I know several people who have bought property, myself included, and not had problems---yet. See, everyone says, "get a good lawyer". Well how do you know who is a good lawyer? Buying property you could potentially have someone show up with a claim to your property many years after you buy it. There are also a thousand other pitfalls and you shouls educate yourself as much as you can on that.

Over the years I have gotten to know Bobby from Blame it on Rio. He has been involved in many real estate transactions over the years. I would recommend you talk to him and ask him for advice on a lawyer to use if you decide to go the next step.

The last thing I can tell you is this, I agree with other board members advice to not trust gringos just because they are board members. The only thing I would add is dont be seduced into a false sense of security just because they are or appear to be wealthy. Talk to people like Bobby, a legitimate business guy, and attorneys and then double check everything you are told.

Good luck.

I wouldn't even consider buying a place in Rio unless I was going to live there part of the year. The thought should not even mildly enter your mind if you have never even been.

Gcl-

of all the advice ive gotten from this board yours seems to be the most genuine. i appriciate that. i have heard about bob from " blame it on rio" i will try and contact him

Arellius-
pls read my previous post. i have stated that i am going to rio soon. if it is what i am looking for then me and a few of my buddies have an intrest in purchasing somthing there and when we are not there we will rent it out.between the four of us it will probaly be occupied half the year. not including the rest of my buddies that go there regularly..

Palace,

There seems to be a couple of disconnects here. One, you've never been to Rio and according to other posts, you have limited mongering and/or international experience. So, why are you even contemplating buying something in a place you and your friends have never been?

The short story is that even for Rio vets, buying a place is extremely difficult. The paperwork and financial hurdles are daunting. How are you going to get your money to Brasil? How do you think you're going to buy a place without a CPF, and a Brasilian bank account to pull money out of. how are you going to get telephone service, TV, electric, etc with no legal presence in Brasil? Why would a guy with a tourist visa buy property anyways? Are you under the impression that you can just apply for a mortgage and send a check from the US each month?

Even if you could buy a place, you have the issues with fraud, which is rampant. The person who sells you a place may not really own it. He may own it but sell it to multiple people. You have all of the legal and liability issues. It's a nightmare and why very few of the Rio resident mongers ever buy.

Third, it just sounds either naive or outright ignorant or stupid on your part to buy a place in a city and country you know zero about. Your posts seem to indicate that you have money and are naive, which is an extremely dangerous combination for Rio. It's an easy place to get robbed, scammed, suckered and in some cases, injured and/or killed.

You're not going to Orlando, you're going to Rio, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. You don't just walk in with a suitcase of money and set up shop, because you'll be relieved of that money very quickly and painfully.

Your best bet is to actually visit the city and meet some people, actually see if you like it. Even then, you wouldn't want to buy a place, not that someone in your position could buy in the first place. You also need to drop the attitude of "it's only 200,000 or 300,000 dollars". If you and/or your buddies have that much money to burn, there's no sense in boasting about it. Boasts get you in a lot of trouble in Brasil and as far as the board goes, we've heard it all before. Most guys who boast really don't have the juice, those who do don't boast because it's counterproductive.

Quite a few of the Rio vets are extremely wealthy - it's a bit more pedestrian these days but from the crowd from 2002, the vast majority were doctors, lawyers, finance guys, business owners, etc. I know guys who were/are partners/senior execs at Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, high-tech companies, some very large law firms - guys with net worths in the US$50 million+ range. Lots of millionaires and by and large, you wouldn't be able to spot them. You have to blend in down there and if you're telling a bunch of strangers that you have a couple hundred grand burning a hole in your pocket and you're thinking about buying a place there because you've read there's good pussy to be found. Well, that could get you kidnapped or worse. To the best of my knowledge, the going rate for a killing there is still R$1,000, which hasn't gone up much in four years although with the exchange rate now, not as cheap as it was. My point - go down and check out the place, get your bearings, spend a few years vacationing there and then if you like it, learn Portuguese and start to understand the place, you can buy an apartment. If you're lucking you won't have it liberated by the garota of your choice - I personally know 3 guys who bought apartments for themselves and their girlfriends and amazingly enough, shortly after the purchase is finalized it isn't there apartment anymore. The girlfriend is there and her brasilero boyfriend/husband too, but they never seem to get around to paying the guys back for the pad.

Palace, I'm not trying to ball bust here, but again, you should really go first before you even entertain the idea of possibly buying a place. Your thought process is a bit out of whack. You're supposed to go first, have the time of your life, then want to sell everything and move there. Buying real estate in a 3rd world country is often a very trying experience. Keep that in mind whatever you do.

Catocony, please explain what happened to those guys who bought apartments. Did they buy the place in their girlfriend's name? That is such a crazy thought that you could spend a a couple of hundred thousand dollars for a place and you get screwed.

Knowing me, I would go have a conversation with a couple of those favela guys, with a few thousand reais in my pocket and ask them to go visit my X namorada and her husband

Thumper,

I don't know of anyone who's spent a couple of hundred thousand dollars on a place and lost it, more like US$60k, which is bad enough. But yes, I know 3 guys who have done so. Why they each never paid for a crew to go in and take care of the situation, I'll never know.

As far as why put it in the garota's name, lots of reasons for that, like the stuff I spoke of in my last post. It can be difficult to get just simple things purchased and delivered - like a bed or refrigerator - without CPF, good functional Portuguese, those sorts of things. If you think you're in love with a garota and she loves you, why not have it in her name, it's easier that way.

Then again, once the deal is done, there's not much legal recourse if she decides she's not in love with the guy but does seriously like the apartment!

CATOCONY-

please read my previous post. i stated that by no means am i trying to portray i have some large bank roll. again, i am a hard working american like the majority of us here. IM FINISHED WITH THIS TOPIC. my biggest regret is that i asked for personal business advise from this board.

lets get back to what this board is suppose to be about......THE LADIES....

CATOCONY--

I have been just browsing through past post and it has become clear that you are that guy on the board that...lets say... always has something negative to say. i am sensing some sort of complex...relax dude..we are all here to help each other and assist. some of us are new to this hobby. were have not all been p4p all our lives like some of us ...

(Message edited by palace12 on March 11, 2007)

Its so entertaining when a new guy shows up and wants to be the "big baller" and starts shooting his mouth off. Palace, you are right, we are all here to help each other out, that is what Cat is trying to do for you. Someday, after you have gained some experience and actually have something to share you may be able to return the favor. Until then, maybe you should bring it down a notch. AZ

AZ-

you are right

CATOCONY-

how about i take you up on that offer to pick me up at the airport and lets hang out and have a drink. i postponed my trip til april 2nd.the first drink is on me.

Palace,

I won't be there on the 2nd and besides, I really have no interest in meeting you.

Don knows a very good real estate lawyer--top notch and honest--and would be happy to recommend him.

Well, Palace, I have to say, you pretty much nailed Catocony. He is an overly negative fuck and a sourpuss.

However, I happen to agree with him on this one. Now I'm going to go kill myself.

Anyone who uses a guide is a FOOL. They take you to a termas where the prices are in ENGLISH, the receptionists speak ENGLISH. They tell you there are girls there (duh). Then they get drunk on your money laughing AT you (not with you) all night. The last person to ask about real estate in Rio is one of these "guides" who are there just to take advantage of gullible gringos.

My bet is that these “guides” were banned from the used car business for being unethical. Bigger losers in Rio I have not met. Right up there with the guys who throw crap on your shoes and then want to charge you to clean it off.

Where did that come from? Perhaps you should meet one of them before you pass judgement.

Exectalent - tell us more in your second post please.

Exectalent

Sorry, known Don and Gibletpie awhile and do not share your advice. Nor what you say about their ethics. That is total bullshit.

If Don or Gibletpie were to refer me to someone, I would take the recommendation seriously. I would NOT do that for any over guide in Rio.

Sounds like Slicey is off his meds and has a new screen name /emoticon{stunned}

If you have some grudge against one of the guides or have a legitimate gripe, please tell the board about it. Good and bad, reports are valuable. However, if you're just taking random potshots at people you don't know or simply don't like for whatever reason, then feel free to go back to being a lurker.

He uses his first post to slam someone. Makes me wish that Hombre had an ignore button to isolate some of the more colorful (read idiotic) characters that pop up here.

While I have never used Don or Ken as guides, I know them, like them and respect what they have to say. Perhaps there are "loser" guides out there, but to blast everyone is just plain irresponsible.

EA

For a first-time monger, a guide's services are invaluable. They really help you "hit the grounding running" and avoid wasting precious vacation time orienting yourself. They also are invaluable if you run into trouble in a foreign country. I wholeheartedly recommend Don and Kenn's services.

Exectalent - How can you slam and bad mouth Don and Ken like that if this is your first post and possibly never met them (unless you used a different handle before?) If this is truly your first post then you sure know how to get off to a SHITTY START! I have personally known Don for 5 years and Ken a couple and I have to tell you that you are way off base. I lived in Rio for almost 3 years and seen them 2 or 3 days a week and NEVER ONCE have they did nothing but help many guys going there for vacations and gave out a lot of advice and many times did not charge at all. If you are a seasoned person familiar with Rio then after a few trips you probably do not need their guide services but Newbie guys on the first or second trip their service is invaluable. Exectalent I would suggest you have your facts in place before you start shooting off your mouth and saying negative things without any first hand experience. If you are truly a newbie go to Rio alone with no help at all and that attitude and I'm sure some of the Favella Guys would love to meet you. Have your life insurance premiums paid up first. - Hemp

Hombre - it would be interesting to know if this guy used a different handle before or is he just that STUPID and ARROGANT? (Probably both) Thanks - Hemp

Exectalent-

Were you once a Navy SEAL? And a body guard for a bigtime rapper? And are you a loser living in San Diego?

I think it is pretty clear for anyone who uses this board that Don & Ken are an excellent investment for a newbie to Rio. I have never used a guide in any other country, yes I would have leveraged knowledge from this board to get by in Rio, but Don & Ken make your first trip much better, period. On later trips they just make your life easier and are a great backup.

Do you think just because that was my first post here I am new? I spend about 6 months of the year in Brazil and know Rio very well. I have seen Ken in the termas recently chowing down and getting drunk on several occasions. I help people all the time for free. If other experienced members did the same thing, rip-off guides would be out of business. To charge someone for taking them to a termas where the receptionists speak English, prices are in English and guys usually there willing to help for free is simply a rip-off.

I do want to distinguish between guide services and the service Kenn from Ez-Riorentals.com provides. To the best of my knowledge he has never been to a termas or Help and is up front about it. He can and does comment on escort services and to the best of my knowledge does not charge for his (valuable) advice when renting an apartment.

Sorry if some people took offense. But, there is absolutely no reason to pay a guide to take you to a termas in Rio. Anyone posting otherwise must have some vested interest. Shout as loud as you can, I am going to tell it like it is. Newbies save your $300 and spend it on something worthwhile.

It is your opinion, Exectalent, that no one needs a guide. It is the opinion of dozens of others who have used the services of guides that their money was well spent. Could it be the case that you didn't need a guide but others might have needed one? Could it be the case that people differ in the comfort level when traveling in countries where they don't speak the language? Could it be the case that since you did not use the services of Don or Ken that you don't know WTF you are talking about?

There's a long list of things that Don and Ken smooth out for their clients. They get them to places that are sometimes hard to find. They serve as wingmen and help guys with introductions and translation with the girls they are dying to fuck but don't know how to approach. They help them with the phone that comes with their services ("how do I get these damn credits in when I don't speak Portuguese?" Etc.). They help the guys make appointments with escort services where the receptionists don't speak a single fucking word of English. They make sure their charges don't starve to death, pointing them to restaurants, grocery stores, etc., and reminding them that eating occasionally is essential if they're to have the energy to keep up with those brasileiras. They steer them away from the known rip-offs, and help them avoid GPs known to be bad performers who specialize in RTFs. And so forth.

And then there's the situations where they step in and prevent disaster. They have intervened in more than a few situations where problems with a GP threatened to spin completely out of control and land a person in jail. They have made a few trips to the police station to help guys out of a jam. And, sadly, they have stepped in and helped out when a couple of our brothers passed away in Rio. And, I should note, they have always been willing to help out those in need whether they were a client or not.

I'm very happy to have Don and Ken as friends and colleagues. When I'm in Rio I know there's someone who has my back.

So maybe there is a reason to pay a guide, because, as anyone with any real knowledge of what Don and Ken actually do knows, there's a lot more to their services than just dragging guys to termas.

It seems that you, Exectalent, are the ignorant fool talking BS.

Never, ever trust anyone who proclaims that they are "telling it like it is." That phrase almost guarantees that what that person is proclaiming is pure bullshit. (NB: Wasn't that the favorite phrase of a particular asshole from zipcode 90210?).

OK, Don and Ken, you owe me $50

There are a lot of things you can do in Rio that can get you into a whole lot of shit fast, so for some, hiring a guide might be a good insurance policy. Most people that do this are relatively well-off anyway, so $300 (or whatever it is) isn't that big of a deal. I would consider hiring one for a day or two if I didn't know what I was doing.

I went with Amerioca on my trip and do not regret it. I went solo and it simplified things greatly. The 300 includes a cell phone and airport pickup and dropoff. They also set me up with a fine apartment that more than meet my needs at a very reasonable price.

As I stated in my trip report, I could have done it solo and still found fun. The fee likely made up for itself in feeling safer and avoiding frustrations and pitfalls. It lets you hit the ground running as someone up the thread mentioned. I am sure I was far from their most needy guest, but even just checking up on me was great.

On my eventual return trip I am sure I would use them atleast for airports and apartments. I feel comfortable in recommending them for a first time vistor.

don is a cool guy and very helpful.