I was fortunate enough to be back for my first Rio trip for '09 and thought I'd share some of my thoughts regarding the locales and ladies that I experienced.

First off I did visit HELP! For a little nostalgia, although I've never been a fan. I was traveling with friends, however, who love that place. There was a good crowd on Friday; and on Sunday it was worse than dead (whatever that is). I thought the quality of gdps inside was about the same as it's been for the last 5 years. It d oes appear that it may actually be closing in Mayaccording to the manager I spoke to there and the few I spoke with at TA. Definitely would be the end of an epoch and it will be interesting to see how it will be replaced. Which it no doubt will.

I did visit Termas daily (I continue to love those places), although I was too lazy to go downtown; so my visits were to the tourista 4 (Centaurus, L'Uomo, Monte Carlo and Solarium).

I will make this disclaimer. I am a long time fan of Centaurus (often not a popular position here.) I will also acknowledge that I do squander money both stateside and internationally so my view, neither right nor wrong; just differentthan those of some others here.

That said, I did make it to Centaurus several times this trip, and found the talent level there to be outstanding. I was there with 5 guys and there were plenty of 8's and 9's for all of us. In my semi-humble opinion the differnce between C and the other 3 woulb be the difference between an average looks of 8 vs a 6 or 61/2 at the other. For me the additional $40-45 that Centaurus costs more than the others (S, MC, L'you) is worth the higher quality. That said clearly there are better bargains to be had as you move towards downtown. 2 of my 3 sessions there were outstanding and the 3rd was only average (my fault for not doing my due diligence). As has been my experience there it was not necessary to pay in advance (just tell them that you want to pay depois), and all that any of us paid was R$400 and not the 420 that I've seen quoted here recently. Not sure if my friend and I were given the local rate or not.

I thought that L'uomo was good and had an exceptional session there with a decent looking 24y/o.

Sunday at Solarium started very slowly. We were going to leave but happily we hung in there until the 6PM shift arrived. It started hopping with the arrival of several super fine loiras who I hadn't seen there before. Exceptional session.

Monte Carlo was the best I've seen it in years. Quite a few transferrees from L'Uomo. Very nice session with a new morena.

One night on a whim went over to Barbarella for the first time in probably 5 years. Lots of eye candy with some women who truly hav e a bizarrely inflated view of their value. One 5'11" gorgeous model who claims she works as a model in the middle east asked my friend for 500 reals per hour for a minimum of 3 hours. I overheard this and started to laugh uncontrollably. (she didn't seem to appreciate this). Needless to say no deal was made. Most girls there were starting at 500 per hour but negotiable. I did take out a pretty hot Baihiana who happily accepted the 300 I gave her for several hours. Total cost 60 for entry including 2 domestic drinks, 60 for the take out, so for a total of 420. A bit high but I'm alway looking for different venues with high caliber gdps.

No doubt my highlight was the two and a half days I spents with a Centaurus girl outside of the terma and it included her getting us invited to a party that was the celebration of the ending of a popular novel next door to Porcao Rio. Always a weird experience, however, getting the evil eye from the young brasilieros seeing this young beauty draped all over and old gringo like me.

Another great trip and am am already scheming about my next trip.

All I can say is I was at Centaurus in March and the talent was not any better than 4x4 or Luomo -- that massive cost was wasted money... Yankee did you have beer goggles on there? (I saw one "8", & rest of the garotas were borderline fat) Everybody has the right to their opinion but for others on the board who maybe have never been, my first time there (last month) will also my last as I was not impressed in the least... for that kind of money they should offer you a steak dinner and a dupla.

I wasn't going to respond to this as I try not to be too defensive but I'm bored tonite so WTF...
Obviously we all have our own views and tastes, but as I don't drink I doubt if alcohol has anything to do with my vision. While I've visited Rio more than 50 timesm and been to each of the tourist termas 50-100 times or more (I know that's pathetic) and when I was at Centaurus in December it just ok. I do find your descriptions "massive cost" of Centaurus intersting; since in comparison to the now (rarely)non-padded charge for the miniscule cabines at L'uomo of R$285 compared to the R$400 for a room twice (or more) that size that I paid at Centaurus was a difference of just under $50 at last weeks exchange that I got of 2.32.
I just cant get excited about 50 bucks when I'm traveling 5,000 to luxuriate with women of my choice. I am aware that the freight at most of the downtown termas (certainly not Termas65) is a lot less costly, but I often don't want to make the trek either by Metro or through Centro traffic to get to them.
I am aware that I can be an incredibly shallow person and looks are at premium in my book; so I have never had a problem paying a little more for not having to cull through a major number of women that I have absolutely no interest in.
I know it's an unpopular view here but if money is not your major driver then I believe it's a mistake not to give Centaurus a try even if it's only to find a garota who will hook up with you outside........and sadly I am not affiliated with nor do I get any kickbacks from them.
sorry for the rant.

Yankee7 is right.

The Centaurus debate reminds me of the old Miller Lite Beer "Tastes Great/Less Filling" commercials.

And for me, Centaurus tastes great.

Tonyels is a man of impeccable wisdom!

Yankee7,

I could not agree more. Each time I visit Rio I am determined to make it to other termas like 4x4. Yet the distance from Ipanema as well as the cab fair/metro ride and time getting there just isnt worth the savings it offers. If I am content with the beauty and quality of the programma, why in the hell am I going to travel an extra 30 minutes to be in a crowded spot with the same level (maybe less according to some here) talent. Dont get me wrong, 4x4 has elite talent. You can get practically any kind of garota you want there. But you can also do the same at Centaurus with less hard legs hanging around. Centaurus is the first and last terma I hit up whenever Im in Rio. Always has been. Mainly for the quality of women but also for the proximity to my apt in Ipanema. In all honesty, to each his own. Good Hunting mates!!

I understand the Centaurus debate. I was there at the dollars weak point so the cost differential was tremendous -- but I could clearly see the appeal. I had just as good of sessions at MC that time, but I did find myself waiting for some better flesh to show up on the dance floor.

With the exchange rate now more in favor of the dollar I intend to go back to C next time.

I will also visit the Copa places and if I can make it to downtown will drop in 4x4 and 65. If I am disappointed in any of these venues I will naturally gravitate back to the big C.