Leaderboard

"You can always Depend on me Daddy"

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.

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.

WHY do I look like THIS ? (and Dont ever say Escorts dont DESERVE the $$$ they ask) When in my mind, I should look like THIS......

Trimmed or partial or not trimmed your fine, but i don't think i have seen a un-trimmed working guy in several years in Rio! Either partial or totally smoothis what all the guys are. Yes the saunas have full bars! When you go to 117 walk through the first bar area where the stage is there is a door on the left hand side that will take you to the covered smoking area and another barback there and where a lot of the guys hand out! Marcello is the bartender there and makes great Caprihinas!

"Mi Casa es su Casa"

You are lucky the magistrate was GAY. Some might enjoy a good whacking from a magistrate !

Well you are lucky you found those hookers with the "hearts of Gold"... I would have probably have to rely on the crazy Old homeless coots that keep scratching themselves and yelling at birds. I would have to steal their shopping carts when they are pre-occupied

Itching is for shaving virgins. If you keep it shaved there is virtually NO itching when you do... I havent itched down there in over 30 years (except for the times I had crabs)

Even if sometimes you have to depend on "the kindness of Strangers"....

LOL, that's why I SHAVE it !

Well Mr Boi, that describes ME, but unfortunately AGE still got the upper hand. As the years fly by, the body just seems to have a mind of it old. Things get softer and sag as you lose muscle tone, and your metabolism diminishes and you cant burn calories like before. I still look better than a lot of men my age of 65, but there are just so many beautiful looking "younger" men out there that I would love to look like if I had a "wish machine".

Uber is in constant war with the Taxi cartels. On my last trip to Medellin, in October 2016, Uber was working but unofficially so. When I used to app to hail a ride at the airport, I received a text telling me to meet the driver at departures, to sit in the front seat and to tell anyone who asked that we were friends and that he was simply picking me up at the airport. I did so, happily. As, taxis in Colombia seem sketchy to me and I am willing to endure the slight inconvenience for the security afforded by knowing who is picking me up and Uber keeping track of where we are going.

Looks like they have Uber in Bogota and Medellin. Any experience with Uber from recent visitors?

Don't forget who is paying! I decide! :-)

Because i need the space!

In regard to some of your queries, I'd suggest you peruse www.gaycities.com and www.tripadvisor.com regarding restaurants and other facets in terms of "the bests." Unfortunately at the former website, some of the information regarding Rio de janeiro is not current today. Go to the Leblon Shopping Center; it opened in 2011, and although I made no purchases-- I found the decor and displays to be rather unique; the center itself is well-designed and quite aesthetically pleasing! Take in lunch or brunch at the Copa Palace. I, myself, have not experienced, but I've had friends who loved the experience. There's a restaurant in Santa Teresa which is wonderful; unfortunately, its name escapes me, but I went in 2011 after seeing it on Samantha's Travels from the Travel Channel. Lastly, if you're going to Brasil for a variety of reasons-- I'd do Sao Paulo for at least 3 days. It's Brasil's business hub, quite large, and is different from Rio. If you want a guide for culture-- try to engage the services of Danilo, a gay guide who's in the tourist sector and who now does NOT assist in the sauna scene with tourists but might offer some advice if asked discreetly. PM me if you desire his contact information.

"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?

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!

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....

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.

Welcome to the ranks of the retired, Suckrates. I retired quite early and having been retired for many years, I can report that I've not been bored yet. My suggestions assume that your finances are in good order, that you're in good health and can live comfortably. 1. Make a list of what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. File it away so you can check it in a year's time (FWIW I found that I had a blast in my first year and happened to do none of the things I'd listed) 2. Decide on places you want to travel and see. Stay for longer than you would usually and really get to know the place. (I found longhaul airfares to be reasonable when you travel midweek and outside the holidays) 3. Make a list each day of "what you have to do" but feel free to do other things as the mood takes you. 4. Take some exercise each day outdoors - it can be as little as walking for 30 minutes twice a day. Eat well and healthily. The goal in retirement is to stay active and enjoy life to the fullest. 5. Inject a little structure into your life if you enjoy routine. Visit a local coffeeshop daily, talk to the grocery store clerks etc. Swim daily if that's what you enjoy. 6. Before I retired (and I planned it for 12 months beforehand), I realised that the one thing I would miss from work was the company of younger men. So I joined an expensive gym that's well located and has a preponderance of members in their 20s/30s. As an older man, I stood out but I hired a personal trainer and I came to know more people. The gym helped me make some new friends, find a boyfriend and provided some hot dates. And if I may add one last observation: as a retired man, you have to put yourself out there and be sociable; make sure you dress well when you go outdoors, and do not "let yourself go"; you will find younger people who take an interest in you.