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my favorite restaurant in Rio is the "Bar'd Hotel restaurant" in the Marina Suites Hotel in Leblon, just down the beach from Ipanema. it is on the second floor with great views of the beach which in Leblon is only about 20' wide. it is a very gay friendly local celebrity hangout(local newscasters and tv stars) Great food and drink and expensive but worth it. I have probably been there over 20 times! I only use Airbnb and have for the past 7 or 8 years! Much better for me then hotels which are more expensive and restrictive! Meo Mundo for twinks! you will find them at the other saunas but not in quanity!

WOW! Bobbalino talk about the pot calling the kettle black! LOL over what is really a simple topic, "how much do you pay to sauna guys or overnights or whatever in Brazil. let me go back about 13 years ago after we had the first "Hooboy Party" at the Atlantico Hotel and had 25 Americans and 80 sauna boys come to it. It was held on the rooftop of the hotel and the members provided all the food and drinks for the guys! Later I heard about a guy who was really overpaying(in my mind) and over the following months continued. I commented about it, saying it would wreck the pricing for the rest of us! (I didn't realize I was such a drama queen then!) Guess what? it didn't! over the years as I have gotten older and less dogmatic about peoples beliefs/practices in relation to mine. I realize everything doesn't revolve around what I believe or think! the guys are a lot smarter then a lot of their customers think! and they talk and gossip about us clients then you would believe! they are happy to point out who overpays, who cums quickly, who is a dick in terms of personality and who the nice guys are...among other things. They know I have a friend that pays almost double what I do and thats' fine as long as they don't expect the same from me and so far none have! Now I never ask what anyone pays and don't care! I pay what I think is the right amount and don't worry about anyone else and again don't forget that a lot depends on your personality! I want to encourage everyone to post their experiences but Bobbalino with all due respect, your reads are tedious at best! I have yet to read a entire post of yours..i tend to skip over the parts where you try to impart your knowledge in less then common English wording! This is not a forum for a course in getting a graduate degree in English Lit! (I do have a grad degree so I kind of know what I am talking about). Write as if you are talking to a friend in your living room not as if you are lecturing! thanks

"I do have a question regarding the refundable tickets though. Whenever I've had to call and cancel a ticket in the past I've always been told that the ticket could only be transferred to the person's name on the ticket, even the ticket insurance I purchased was useless. Is it different with a refundable ticket?" Not to contradict, Tomcal, but it depends. Most airlines will refund the money (minus a small admin fee) to the creditcard that was used to buy the fare. Some airlines however - one example is Qantas - will only allow the refund to be used by the person named on the original ticket. I'd say that it's best to ensure that you read the conditions for changing or refunding the ticket before you purchase the fare. And I agree with you, Darkseraphim, that this is both an expensive and a fun hobby. It gives me great pleasure to have a handsome muscled model as my companion for however long it lasts. My experience is that when you have good fun together, the model is compliant and eager to meet my needs. What else should an older man spend his money on?

Airbnb should not be the first choice to people interested in bringing boys home, security is the main concern not only from the host but from the buildings as well, if you ask your host, ver likely will be denied, try to find a gay host and let him know in advance, maybe he will go for it. Brazil is an expensive country for almost everything, except for sex. Clothing in the US is far cheaper, bring the clothes with you. Rio has some top notch restaurants, Antiquarius and Fasano comes to mind, very expensive as well. A good idea is going on Google and tap "best restaurants in Rio", in some cases they will also give you price idea, only bring with you boyfriend material, if you are lucky to find one. Sauna boys are a total overkill.

I'm a sauna virgin (well, been to Thermas Barcelona once) and I have to say your impenetrable prose is a bit wearying and falls squarely in the tl;dr category. I have read a couple of your more succinct posts and gleaned some interesting information so thanks for that. Unfortunately with other posts you're trying too hard and even use the incorrect word on occasion, which takes away from the impression you're trying to make.

Sorry but you're completely missing the point, to say it in a polite way. I don't understand why you have to make things look complicated, when they are not. The whole pseudo-analysis about currencies has nothing to do with saunas which are a local market. You're very wrong if you think that garotos don't have "the capacity for broader perspective". You don't need a degree to understand that if gringos are stupid enough to pay much more than locals (and to get the exact same service, if not less)...they are the ones to go with. This is another reason why saunas are going to shut down as tomcal wrote in another thread. The local market is going to die because the locals won't be able to make it looking easily profitable anymore. No more locals, no more saunas. Internet is moving GPs out from saunas to apps like Grindr or away from Brazil (remember what happened in Cuba?). And "overpaying fools" are boosting this switch even because GPs in the internet know they can ask more money because their main target is going to be tourists. It's 2017...mass information. Garotos have friends around the world...they know how many tourists there are in Brazil, and they know how much these tourists pay in their homeland, and they know that tourists prefer internet dating. We, people on this forum, represent a painful minority for saunas owners. Everyone is free to do think and do whatever it wants to do. But please, no bullshit. I will not filter GPs thoughts, because i would lie. GPs will love you and will be interested in you until you pay them AND until you respect them. It is all a fake. There might be some rare exceptions but you're just the ATM from where they can withdraw cash money. Everyone is free to live in wonderland. I know at least 2 friends who overpay GPs....one from Europe and one from the US. Can someone tell me why, while they like to overpay GPs (R$250/300...which are around 80/90 EUR/USD), they get mad at the idea of tipping 1 penny to a NYC escort who asked them 400 USD or 200€ in Paris? I will tell you...because they have problems with their egos, and that's why GPs laugh behind them.

Hey guys, Thanks a million for the wealth of information shared here, I'm making my first trip to Rio at the end of the month for a couple of weeks and I'm understandably quite excited I'm planning to stay in the Ipanema area, in an airbnb, I was wondering if anyone has any general advice about airbnb in Rio or has a particular recommendation? It's quite possible I might invite someone back so a discreet set up would be great. My type is cute twink bottoms, is Mondo(something) the best place to meet guys like this? Is it worth popping over to Sao Paulo or Porto Allegre for a couple of days or do you think I should just chill and enjoy Rio for my first visit? The major determinant here would be cute twinks, N. European mix would be welcome... These 3 things I can probably find out elsewhere but if you feel inclined : Any recommendations for restaurants in the area, or Rio generally? I enjoy eating out and like high-end cuisine all the way down to great street food. How much are clothes there in comparison to Europe or the US? Like a pair of decent shorts for example? Hoping I can pack lightish and just buy whatever. Are there clubs playing techno or house there? Cheers for any replies, I will post some kind of report, and if anyone is in town and wants to grab a drink or dinner that would be great! I've been travelling quite a lot on my own when I was younger but Brazil is new and I find the whole sauna thing a little awkward, I'll get over it

bobbalino with all the respect i can have, since you're a good person... the only thing that the new users of this forum should avoid are the contradictory, useless TLDR, egocentric and full of questionable info posts they can find on this forum. No one cares about lifetime experiences in a forum which is meant to give information to users seeking for fun in Latin America....Brazil in this case...possibly without having to waste money in a useless way or run risks or be identified as "Certified gringos". This forum I think is not a place for egoes and for bullshit. Everyone is free to live in wonderland. You don't/can't face the reality? Not my problem. To me it's just ridiculous. Remember new readers... most of the people here don't even know a word of Portuguese... and some of the advices you can find were unaccurate or wrong. If you are 1st timer follow the suggestions of people like Tomcal (and his "guest" alter-ego) or Badboy or TotallyOz. This is what i did (and a lot more people) and I had a lot of fun. As i said i managed to learn a good Portuguese before going to Brazil...that could help but it's really not necessary if you follow the usual base rules. Don't be hypocritical and respect the market. Do not lowball GPs. Going rate is around R$120. Do not overpay GPs just because they cost 40€ instead of the £400 they would cost in London. It's not fair, it will hurt the market, and especially in Brazil it will make you look like a complete idiot. GPs will not love you...don't trust about people who just need to feed their big egos. If you don't care about all of this and about the comments GPs and people will make about you when speaking at loud voice inside the sauna in a language that you don't know...feel free to do what you think it's right to do....it's not illegal of course, but it won't buy anything more than what you'd get by the standard rate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gotti...my comparison with Cuba was just to describe a place full of hotties that now is just full of ugly people. Saunas are small and closed environments and are more influenced by what happens inside of them, than from what happens outside, until there are local customers able to pay rates compatible to their wages. That is why gringos are seen as another possible problem for sauna businesses. It's not the owners fault, it's progress. Do you really think that in the gayiest place of Earth there are no people with the money, the interest and the knowledge to run that kind of business? No...there are...but nobody is crazy enough to jump in something which is barely floating. Brazil is getting richer...so while the GPs are abandoning saunas for internet and/or for Europe/NA, there are less and less possible candidates to take the place of the people who are leaving. No one will seek for a sauna work when the cost/benefit will be comparable to the one you'd get by having a regular job...or social welfare. This is what happened in Czech Republic and in Hungary. There are nearly no hot BelAmi-kind guys (for pay) in there. Just average looking guys. And trust me (free to don't of course)...but tourists prefer internet...it is a huge fact...and you don't need to speak with an escort, you can check by yourself. Most of the tourist prefer to get their GPs in their hotel room (i am not saying that this is safer or better than a sauna). I've never had problems of this kind in the hotel where i was staying. They registered the GP and they called me to tell me he was waiting in the hall.

Different area but....I live in Bangkok for 6 months of the year. I have stayed at the same Airbnb condo for 3 years. I have many friends here that use Airbnb. It works great for bringing people back. But when using Airbnb, Make sure the owners don't live in the same building. Owners love to keep an eye on their property and and keep checking to see if your doing ok. If their in different building or better yet, different city, you shouldn't have any problems.

You can live comfortably for LESS than 600k a year in NYC, TRUST ME ! It all depends on your comfort level and command of the dolla. Some people might need to drop a few escorts here and there to make ends meat ? I have always been "cautious" about spending my money, but thought once I retired it would be different. I guess its like anything else, you just have to "bite the bullet and DO IT" . As for leaving NYC, its not a consideration. It was hard enough to make friends when i was young and pretty. I can't imagine how it would be now, in a strange place trying to befriend a bunch of bitter and cranky Old relics. And then trying to find the local bathouse and pickup alleys...I dont have the patience for NEW things.

yes it goes back as a credit to the card that was used in purchasing it

I'm planning to stay in the Ipanema area, in an airbnb, I was wondering if anyone has any general advice about airbnb in Rio or has a particular recommendation? It's quite possible I might invite someone back so a discreet set up would be great. As a first timer and not knowing the language, I dont recommend this....you can do everything you need to do in the saunas.... My type is cute twink bottoms, is Mondo(something) the best place to meet guys like this? Mondo or apps or on the streets....Cute twinks are not the standard in the sauna scene in Brazil...But you would probably LOVE Thailand....Brasileiros tend to be muscular or athletic....especially the guys who work in the saunas....Mundo may be a good option for you to find your type.... Is it worth popping over to Sao Paulo or Porto Allegre for a couple of days or do you think I should just chill and enjoy Rio for my first visit? The major determinant here would be cute twinks, N. European mix would be welcome... If you are seeking N Europeans....go to Europe....Brazilians are a mixed race...there are some more European looking Brazilians all over but unless you speak the language OR are attractive, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN....If you are young and hot or attractive....you will have your pick of guys for free in Brazil because they tend to be very sexual and all over the apps like Grindr These 3 things I can probably find out elsewhere but if you feel inclined : Any recommendations for restaurants in the area, or Rio generally? I enjoy eating out and like high-end cuisine all the way down to great street food. Google restaurants in Brazil or Rio or whatever city you go to....there are TONS of options in Rio...Its a huge city.... How much are clothes there in comparison to Europe or the US? Like a pair of decent shorts for example? Hoping I can pack lightish and just buy whatever. Clothing are expensive compared to the US....But the weather is warm so you dont need winter clothing.... Are there clubs playing techno or house there? Depends on the club.....Use google... Cheers for any replies, I will post some kind of report, and if anyone is in town and wants to grab a drink or dinner that would be great! I highly recommend you use Google and read more from the blogs...some of the questions you asked make sense as a first time person visiting Brazil but some are just plain using your best judgement or common sense....' GOOGLE is your friend....my experience in Brazil is going to be completely different than yours or Tomcals or other members based on who they are....

Likeohmygod, I agree with you 100% and I have friends just like yours that overpay a lot! I may have stated this fact before, My good friend is a exec. with a large international Mktg corp and they did a survey of internet connectivity and % of the population using WiFi and internet usage and one of the highest % of use per population was in the Favelas of Rio! I believe this was limited to areas of population of 100,000+. these guys are very connected and know what is going on both in their community and region/world wide! they are all on WhatsApp and Instagramm(FB is for those over 30!) I just told a guy yesterday who I met some years ago and he sent me a message with the usual sob story and he needed $500.R, I told him it was nice to hear from him after all this time but unfortunately I am neither a Bank or a ATM! Again as I have said countless times to the guys in the saunas, "you don't give sex away for free and I don't give money away for free!* *they usually smile when I say this and walk away

I shop every day, and eat only what is on the daily menu. That way food is always fresh and doesn't build up to the point of things staying past their expiration date. HOWEVER...you can never have enough of "little bites"

So you're saying you can just wander up to any random stop light and 15 minutes later be in your room with a cutie like this guy? Damn, Tomcal, what the fuck kind of pheromones do you give off?