Termas area marvelous institution...they should exist everywhere. The terma is a combination spa/health club/massage center/ bar/brothel (literally, it means "bathhouse"). There are dozens of termas in Rio, and they are to be found in all major cities in Brazil. I will give some information on the ones I know best.

Some general tips on termas: after arriving you'll be sent to a locker room to change into a robe and sandals. You'll have a key to your locker that you'll wear on a band around your wrist. Your locker number is what all charges are credited against, so bartenders will ask for the number when you order drinks and the girls may ask you to give them your key when you've agreed to go back for a session in one of the rooms. Don't put the key in the pocket of your robe; the robes can get accidentally swapped in the shower rooms, and you don't want to lose that key (trust me, I speak from experience on this one).

After changing you can head to the shower room for a shower and sauna (advised) and then to the bar. When you first enter the bar area where the girls are, you might want to walk around awhile and check the talent out before taking a seat. If you see someone you want to check out closer, just say hi and ask if she wants a drink. If you sit down when you enter, you're likely to be trapped by one of the more aggressive girls, and my experience is these girls use this tactic because they'll get no takers otherwise. If you get trapped by a girl you're not interested in, head off for a shower or sauna, or tell her you're looking for a specific girl you've been with before (you can claim you've forgotten her name). They'll get the picture. Also, it's common to experience "buyer's remorse." After settling on a particular garota, you'll invariably see some stunner who will cause you to question the choice you've made. Get over it…there are too many beauties, and you can always come back another day. As the song says, "love the one you're with."

Speaking of return visits, sometimes you will find that a girl you spent time with earlier in your visit will "lay claim" to you. If you do not want to spend your time with her, be nice but direct and tell her you'd like to meet some of the other girls at the termas. I have never had a girl make a scene when I've done this. Just be friendly and polite…give her a kiss, buy her a drink, and maybe even ask her advice.

If you don't speak Portuguese, you'll be fine. The girls all know why you're there, and the only things you have to decide are which girl (or girls), which room (cabina or suite) and for how long. If you do speak the language, even if just a little bit, you'll have even more fun. Finally, I often arrive around 4:30 or earlier, in order to beat the crowds of men coming after work. Some of the termas will only have a few women around at that time, but many more will be showing up around 5:00. Between 5 and 6 is a good time to find the best selection, and the women often seem more energetic then.

Terma rules (these rules apply more generally when interacting with the garotas de programa): Repeat after me-this is not your first trip to Rio, you will be in Rio for several weeks, and you won't be leaving for at least another week. None of this may be true, but these are the correct answers to the invariable questions you will receive from the girls. "Is this your first time in Rio?" "How long will you be in Rio?" "When are you leaving?" You may think these questions are just an effort on the girl's part to make polite conversation, and in a sense they are, but the girls are also sizing you up. Neophytes will be seen as someone who can potentially be taken advantage of. Newbies don't know the ropes and can be overcharged and underserved. The person who is staying only a few days may receive less attention and poorer service because he is less likely to be a steady customer. Similarly, the guy who says "I'm leaving tomorrow and won't be back for a year" is begging for an unenthusiastic quickie from the girl. If, on the other hand, you tell the girl you've been in Brasil several times and will be around for awhile, she's more likely to give her best effort in order to assure customer loyalty and repeat business (yes, from her perspective it is about business). Only after you've been around awhile and know specific girls pretty well should you answer these questions truthfully.

Termas L'uomo (Rua Siquieira Campos, 143, second level): in Copacabana, is an old favorite of mine. It was the first terma I visited, so there's a soft spot in my heart for it. It's in a little shopping/antiques mall, on the upper level facing out onto the street. The set-up is like every other terma--there's a dressing room, shower and sauna area, a place to sit and relax and watch TV, a bunch of rooms (suites and cabinas) for "doing the deed," and the bar area where most of the girls hang out. The facilities are excellent, having been renovated fairly recently. Prices are reasonable. In September 2002 they charged a 40 reais entry fee, and the rest depends on type of room (cabina or suite) and length of time. A standard cabina is quite small and includes only 40 minutes with the girl. I used a suite for an hour (200 reais) and got out for around 250 reais total, including drinks. Check with the management; they have special deals on certain days. I think Wed. is one of the days they charge less for entry (30 reais). On Saturdays they have typical Brazilian food for free, and other days they have other specials. The girls are less numerous than Quatro X Quatro or Centaurus, and more variable in quality, but the best are great, and they seem to want to work harder to please you than many other places. Some of my most memorable termas experiences have been at L'uomo. When you enter L'uomo you'll first go to a dressing room and change into a robe and sandals. You can then head through the bar and to the sauna area for a shower, a steam bath or sauna, etc. The bathroom has disposable toothbrushes, razors and shaving cream, etc. Next to this room is a large room with a television and chaise lounges. Here you can kick back and relax alone for a few minutes. The action takes place in the bar area. Head into the bar, grab a seat, order a drink, and watch the action. Depending on the day of the week and the time of day, between 10 and 30 girls will be working. If you see a girl who strikes your fancy, motion her over. It's really very simple. If you sit alone for too long the girls will eventually come to you, but there's a potential downside to this. The girls get paid in large part on the basis of how many men they have sex with. Consequently, the less attractive ones often become fairly aggressive, and you'll find them climbing all over you. I've had to find tactful ways to ditch girls I didn't want to be with, so I now try to keep moving until I decide who I want to talk with (this is true for all the termas, BTW). It is perfectly acceptable to talk with a number of women before settling on one. Once you find a good candidate, take a seat with her and get friendly. She'll soon likely have her tongue down your throat and her hand on your cock. Take your time, and don't rush back to the rooms...the Brazilian women are great at foreplay and love to get close. When you do decide it's time to get to know her even better, let her know and she'll arrange the rest. Like I said, they tend to be great at their work. You can expect oral and standard sex. The oral sex may or may not be bareback (but is usually BB); while some girls propose using a condom, most do not and it is often negotiable. Condoms are always used for standard sex. After you're time is up you can shower and leave, or shower and head back to the bar and have more fun. If the place isn't crowded, the girl you've been with will often be content to just sit with you and play around. It's a great way to spend an evening. You'll pay your tab when you leave. It's open Mon-Sun. (one of only two termas open on Sunday), and they open at 4 p.m. (but it's pretty quiet until 5:30) and close at 2 a.m. on M-F and 12 a.m. on weekends. Their web site is http://www.luomo.com.br.

Termas Monte Carlo: Just a few blocks away is Termas Monte Carlo, also known as Club 19 (Rua Hilario de Gouveia, 19, in Copacabana). Monte Carlo is very convenient, just a block from the beach and Avenida Atlantica. It's just a few blocks from L'uomo, making it convenient to run from one to the other. The routine and set-up at Monte Carlo is nearly identical to L'uomo. You enter and change clothes on the ground floor, take the elevator to the showers/spa on the second (facilities are fairly similar to L'uomo's) and take the elevator to the club on the 3rd floor, where the girls are to be found. Prices at Monte Carlo are about the same as L'uomo. I have not found the girls at Monte Carlo to be as attractive on average as those at L'uomo, but there's always a few beauties, and it only takes one (unless you want a "three-way", which is available at all the termas). MC always has a few stars around who will make a visit worth your while. Monte Carlo is open Mon.-Sat. from 4pm-2am. Their fees seem to be similar to those charged at L'uomo, and they are actually owned by the same folks that run Solarium. They do not, as far as I can tell, have a web site.

Centaurus (Rua Canning, 44 in Ipanema): is considered by many to be the star of the termas. I have mixed feelings about the place, and rarely go there. They have more women, and more gorgeous women, than the other termas I've been to. When Centaurus is crowded, the place really jumps. Thursday nights, for some reason, are particularly zoo-like. One the other hand, the place is poorly managed and the facilities (showers, etc.) are less well maintained than should be the case. It's also been hard to figure out the prices at Centaurus. I've had them try to charge me different amounts for the same services on different nights. When you enter Centaurus, you are required to leave a deposit (usually around 290 reais); this is the only terma that has such a requirement (that I've been to, at least), and it seems tacky. Tourists are charged more than locals, a practice I find offensive. After you pay they assign a girl to you to help you change into your robe...and of course she immediately wants to hook up with you. This is something I don't care for, and I always ditch the girls by telling them I'm heading to the sauna. After a shower on the ground floor you head upstairs to the bar area. There is a small room with a TV and massage tables that is often crowded with guys and girls getting friendly while watching soccer (what else!). The bar area is fairly large and has seating at the bar and bench seating elsewhere where it is easier to get to know the girls. There is a small stage where they have live music on some nights and where the girls do striptease routines every evening. The great thing about Centaurus is the girls. The girls at Centaurus are on average very attractive and good at what they do. I detected more pressure to go with the more expensive "suite" option, but I suspect this is partly due to the fact that there are a limited number of cabinas, and there is often a backlog to the point that you have to cool your heels for a 1/2 hour or so waiting for a free one. Centaurus is clearly the most expensive of the termas I've visited. The 290 reais deposit will cover 40 minutes in a standard cabina. If you decide to do something out of the ordinary, like take two girls with you to a suite, they require that you go back downstairs and pay in advance, something I've never experienced in any of the other termas. Their web site can be found at http://www.centaurusnet.com.br/. As you can tell, I have qualms about the place, but you'll find few who would disagree with the claim that you'll find more stunners here than anywhere else. Many of the girls at Centaurus are college students (many from the local Catholic college, and they all seem to be law students or psychology majors) and are better conversationalists than girls at the other termas. The sex I've had at Centaurus has been excellent, and I've gone with two women at once several times and had a blast. During my last visit to Centaurus I did so on my last night in town, and the girls (two friends) put on quite a show. I don't think we left any orifice unexplored or any position untried. It was expensive but worth it. The total cost was less than an hour with an unenthusiastic NY in-call hooker. I have heard from guys who have had unsatisfactory experiences at Centaurus, but I've never had a bad time there. Still, their policies have pissed me off to the point that I prefer other options. Centaurus is open Mon.-Sat. from 4-12. [Note: there's a rumor around the Centaurus may close soon, and their website appears to be down].

Termas Solarium (Rua JJ Seabra, 21, Jardim Botanica) is another favorite, located in a nice neighborhood about 15 minutes from Copa or Ipanema. The facilities are quite nice, the location is accesible, and the girls work hard to please. Solarium is located in the Jardim Botanico neighborhood, just a couple of blocks from the Lagoa. It's a nice, safe neighborhood with some excellent restaurants in the surrounding area. It costs about 7 reais for a cab from Ipanema. One of my favorite aspects of Solarium is their truth in advertising. Their prices are posted right on the wall as you enter, along with the daily specials. On average, entrance is 40 reais, a cabina is R$30, and the girls are R$90 for 40 minutes. It runs closer to R$260 for an hour in a suite with a jacuzzi. Some examples of the specials: Tues. and Fri., five free draft beers; Sat. (3-9) room only R$20. The specials change from time to time, so it's best to email them (contatos@solarium.com.br) and they'll send you their price list. During a recent trip they had a lottery where the prize was a free 40 minute session, and I had a winning ticket (they drew one per hour). The management is extremely friendly and go to great lengths to make sure you have a good time. They will recommend girls if you're looking for something specific. The girls were on the whole very attractive, with a few real stunners, although fewer in number than many of the other places mentioned. They are the only other terma open on Sundays (open every day), and Sundays can be interesting because it is also open to couples on Sunday evenings. I once had a women give me a bbbj in the sauna while her husband was getting the same from another woman. Their web site can be seen at http://www.solarium.com.br/Ingles/First.htm.

Quatro X Quatro, located in the Centro area (Rua Buenos Aires 44), has emerged as my favorite terma. 4x4 is an excellent terma; clean facilities and loads of friendly women. It is the largest terma I've been to, and there always seem to be 60-100 or more women around. The management seems helpful and upfront about costs and such, which are posted in several locations. There are plenty of women available and they are of comparable quality to Centaurus. The place is so big that one can get lost in it! You enter through a narrow hallway and go up a flight of stairs to the desk, where they give you a locker key. The lockers are to your right, down a half flight of stairs. After changing you can go to the showers and sauna (go back to the stairs you entered up, and go up one more level). After that you can hit the bars. There are two bar areas, one on the second floor (directly across from the desk) where most of the action is (including regular strip shows) and another large one on the third floor which is much quieter and a good place for conversation, cuddling, and getting something to eat. Prices are quite reasonable: entrance is $30 reais and an hour in a suite is only $150 reais(!), and the management gives you a clear up-front indication of how much the different services cost. If you take a girl to a room to do the deed before 5:00, your entry fee is waved. The basic suite is smaller at 4x4 than at some other places, but large enough not to feel cramped. Larger and fancier suites (including some with Jacuzzis, KS beds, ceiling mirrors, and dance floors) are available at higher prices. The only downside is location: 4x4 is in Centro and thus a bit of a haul for those staying in the Zona Sul neighborhoods of Copa or Ipanema (my preferred location), although it is easily accessed via Metro (just a few blocks from the Uruguaiana station). It is, nevertheless, absolutely worth a visit. I've imbibed in numerous threesomes and one foursome at Quatro X Quatro and have always had a great time. Quatro X Quatro does have a web site: http://www.quatroporquatro.com.br/ but it's pretty worthless. This terma is located in the center of Rio's business district and caters to businessmen. As a consequence of its location, it is open only Monday-Friday, from 2 until midnight. One interesting aspect: I noticed an inordinate number of blondes at 4X4, and one of the girls there told me they "specialize" in blondes, so if that's a fetish of yours…

Termas 65 (Rua do Rosario, 65, Centro) also has some fans. This is another terma located in the Centro business district, just a block from 4X4, and it primarily attracts a local business clientele. Prices are fairly similar to those at 4X4, but with a smaller range of suites available (it seems to me that 4X4 is just a bit more "upscale"). The folks working at the front desk are helpful and will explain the prices and options in English. Terma 65, also like 4X4, is located on several floors. Just follow the noise to the boite where you'll find about 40-50 girls, and while I didn't think the average quality was quite as high as 4X4, there were enough stunners to make a visit definitely worthwhile. There are other rooms where you can get something to eat and have a quieter conversation, but the action takes place in the main boite. Like the other downtown termas, Terma 65 is a midweek place: open M-F from 2 p.m. until midnight. It is located just a few blocks from the Uruguaiana metro station. Their website can be found at http://www.termas65.com.br

Termas Aeroporto (216-C Beira Mar Av.) is another highly regarded terma. After years of saying "this will be the time I go there" I finally did. I was surprised that Termas Aeroporto is as small as it is-just a bit larger than L'uomo or Solarium), but I was reasonably impressed by the quality of the girls, especially the set of twins! Like Centaurus, many seem to be college students, and I ran into several girls who spoke English quite well. Also like Centaurus, when you enter a girl is assigned to you to help you change into your robe and such. It is quite easy to get away from the girl, assuming you haven't fallen instantly in lust, by heading to the saunas and showers, which are very clean. An upstairs bar is where most of the mixing takes place, but there is also a "relax" room on the first floor where many of the girls hang out. Prices are Centaurus-like: $50 reais to enter and $200 reais for an hour in a suite. Unlike Centaurus, you pay when you leave, although you may be asked to pay the entrance fee upon arrival. Aeroporto is just a few (5-6) blocks from the Cinelandia metro stop and just a door or two from the Othon Aeroporto hotel. The web site address is http://www.termasaeroporto.com.br/usa/start.htm. Like Quatro X Quatro, this is primarily a businessman's terma, being located in a business neighborhood. It opens at noon, Mon.-Fri., and is a perfect place for an early afternoon romp.

Rio Antigo (Joaquim Silva, 2, in the Gloria neighborhood) has some fans, although I'm not among them. Prices are fairly similar to L'uomo and the set-up is fairly standard. There is a main bar area where most of the girls hang out and occasional strip shows are held. A TV room nearby is a quieter place to sit with the garota of your choice and watch soccer or the ever-present telenovela (Brasilian soap opera). The facilities (showers, sauna, and steambath) were all recently renovated and are nicer than most termas. I have not found this terma to be as interesting as many of the others on this list, but others have told me they've had great experiences here. It's certainly worth a visit or two. Again, because of its proximity to downtown, it is only open on weekdays, from 2 p.m. until midnight. Rio Antigo is within walking distance of the Gloria metro station. Their web site can be found at http://www.termasrioantigo.com.br/en/index2.htm.

There are cheaper options as well. Terma Beach Girls (formerly Terma Pedagio) (corner of Rua Siqueira Campos and Rua Barata Riberio, 2nd level) is very inexpensive...you can get in and out for $100 reais, but my take is you get what you pay for. The facilities are pretty gross, the girls variable but less attractive than other places, and the sex is less enthusiastic. Some guys like it because it's a good place for a little voyeurism: the girls often give the guys head in the communal steam bath. If this appeals to you, it's an option. I have not been here in years, but I peeked in during my last trip and was not impressed.

I enjoy sampling the various places and recommend that anyone new to Rio do a Termas Tour. You can't possibly have more fun! And given that the turnover in the girls working at the termas is fairly high and constant, even the regular Riophile should do a Termas Tour on a regular basis. Once the Metro station opens at Siqueira Campos, you should be able to access L'uomo, Monte Carlo, Rio Antigo, Aeroporto, Termas 65, and 4X4 easily. Wouldn't that be a challenge: hit all six of these termas in a single day!!! Do a little research and discover your own favorite, then tell us about it. I still have several more to explore, including several in Barra da Tijuca. It's a dirty job....

In my last trip, doing a dupla at Centaurus, they let me pay the difference upon exiting terma. but you still have to pay 290R upfront.

Bwana - awesome report. I'm sure Don will charge all newbies $100 to read it. Although I only think that he only gets kickbacks from L'uomo, MC and 4x4.

Thanks.

YT

Youngtom, I AGREE WITH YOU YOUNGTOM we are on the same page (ha,ha,ha,)

KidCisco

YT-Bwana and Don are quite good friends..I am sure your self righteous typical attacks on him will only add to your being THE ASS of this board....and Don is very excited about meeting you also...and before you state facts about people you have NO clue about..centaurus is the only kick backs any guide gets...note how many people are with Don the next time he goes to a terma...I will guarantee you most if not all of them are not under guide..just hanging with the guy because he is a kick in the butt...and most of the time he jumps in the cab with us just to go..nothing about kickbacks to this guy...

you really have not made any input thats means anything to this board for quite some time but to attack people...

I guess what I am saying here you are attacking one of my friends...you need to stop and I do mean that...

YT, you could not be more wrong. The termas Don takes people to do not pay him a commission. You are dead wrong. It is still puzzling why you harbor so much hostility towards him. I have looked at your Rio report and it seriously looks like you could have benefitted from having someone who knows what they are doing help you out.

What Don gotta do with these great info which Bwana provided to newbies? Why do you keep low- blowing the man who you have never met?

This is a public board so don't "think", state your FACTS if you have them. And if you're so jealous of Don, why don't you move to Rio and try to do what he does. I'm sure with your A-hole attitude, you'd get a lot of business.

And yes, I'm talking to you YT. You need to stop your pathetic attacks on Don and stop self-proclaiming your A-hole status on this board.

YT - I spent 7 days and nights with my new found friend in Rio (Don). We hung out in the daytime and hit the termas and clubs at night. There is no way he gets any kick backs from the termas or clubs. This man just loves to show his guests a great time and always watches out for them. There was many guys in our groups that did not even pay him as he knew them from before. He spends money out of his own pocket for taxis, drinks, food etc. Unless you met him and spent time with him I would strongly suggest you ZIP IT. Hemp

Here's the deal--I have never heard a complaint from anyone who has used Don's services. They pay whatever the pay and seem to be actually quite pleased with what he delivers. I've never used his guide services--have had no need to--but he has treated me well, as friends do, and done several favors for me. When I expressed an interest in spending time with a very popular girl at MC, he pulled out his phone, called her, and it was magic--when I showed up she blew off two guys who had been waiting for hours for her, went upstairs with me, and spent two hours in the room with me (I paid for 45 minutes). Why? Because her friend Don put in a good word. And I've never paid him a dime. And I've seen him work wonders for his customers. He's bailed one out of jail, rescued one from an insane girl (and got a nice black eye for his trouble), hooked guys up for dinner dates with terma stars, and so on.

I see no virtue in putting someone down just because you may not want or need his services. As far as I can tell, he's never had an unhappy customer. He gets repeat business even after guys can probably forge ahead on their own, because they like him and the way he does business.

Thinking back to my first trips to Rio, when I spoke not a word of Portuguese and hardly knew my way around, I would have been happy to have a guy like Don introducing me to the wonders of Rio.

YT-I still don't understand what your beef is with Don. I'm one of the many guys who just ended up running into him at the Termas and Alcazar my last couple days. He never hit me up for any cash, tried to sell his service, or anything like that. Every time I talked to him he gave advice on what clubs were hot, good gartoas, scams to avoid...all good advice. A couple of times he offered to call a garota for me at no charge and when I left he called a Taxi for me without me asking. Don is a nice guy and I don't think he deserves you giving him shit, especially if you've never met him.

Don also helps guys avoid scams. Notice how you hear "cem dolares" now in Help? Don steers guys away from that crap and to the best value at Termas and clubs. This not only helps the guys but it improves the overall scene to not have these guys overpaying at Help or clubs.

YT,

You've already admitted that you have never met Don. Yet you continue to bash him with what is apparently NO FACTS at all.

Then you start whining about the fact that we are trash talking too much, and not posting enough information.

Do you see how to a casual observer one might conclude that the almightly Young Tom is indeed a hypocrite? If you want to cast dispersions, then have at least some FACTS to back it up. If you want to trash talk, then do it in FUN, which is the manner it should be intended.

Best I can tell, your last post does neither, and there are plenty of people that are getting sick of it.

Why are you so intent on making so many enemies on this board? I personally like almost all of the people I have met here. What is your deal? Geeez. Nuff said.

BT

The potential demise of Centarus will not bring a single tear to my eye's!!! Out of a week of good times that I had in Rio this place was the biggest rip off that I ran into. Overpriced and poor service sum's it up.

Bwana thanks for your excellent guide. I have forwarded it to a business associate who will soon join me in Rio for a 'speaking engagement', and he was duly impressed. Keep up the good work buddy.

Last month I paid a visit to Centauras. Although I prefer not to frequent the place, I always seem to go there once each trip. Here is what I found;

1. When I said I had been there before and would be paying in reals, they did not charge me in advance.
2. I pointed out that I had not taken a taxi there and did not want to pay the 20 Real tourist tax, so they waived it.
3. There weren't any girls in the entrance lobby so I didn't get one assigned to assist me change, which is a relief.
4. There are no clocks or telephones in the rooms. The time limit is supposed to be 40 minutes in the standard cabine, however the girl is the judge of time. One time, a hardcore stunner popped me quick and we were outta there in under 25 minutes, however the girls generally give you the full 40 minutes. This past trip, my spinner and I went well over an hour in our 40 minute cabine. That was an awesome time, as were several of the other visits I've had there.
5. The boite (bar area) has a cheesy decor at best, but for some reason I like it. The girls generally stand and dance there and there is usually a stellar lineup of talent.

Although it is higher priced than other termas, Centauras is worth a visit at least once.
Regards
DG

Let me add my thanks, Bwana. I've printed out your 2004 version to review prior to my trip, and to take along for reference. Even though I've been to Rio six times and know a little, you've taught me a lot, and it's enabled me to give advice on hotels for a friend who is planning an early-Dec. trip.

And yes, the recommended terma tour. With pictures. Coming soon to our website (probably mid-January, after I return and recover). I'll be there long enough to make the rounds a couple of times.

DG,
Thanks for the info. I've had a love-hate relationship with Centaurus for years. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it sucks. The fact that someone walking in has to talk their way out of paying in advance and paying the tourist tax is what bothers me...one shouldn't have to do this little dance, and one doesn't have to at any of the other termas. Why engage in business practices that are virtually guaranteed to piss customers off? That's not the way I work with my customers. So, while I agree that Centaurus may be worth a visit, I've chosen to give my business primarily to termas who act like they want it, despite the fact that Centaurus is just a few blocks from my hotel and all the others require a cab ride.

Hunterman,

Thanks...glad you've found it useful. I'm sure I speak for all here in saying I look forward to your termas tour report. I'll be hitting them all in late January as well.

BD