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I'm in Rio for the last 8 days and my observation is that 117 is still the place to go. - The selections of guys at 117 are better. 202 is improving, however, compared from the last time I visited 5 months ago. - 117 has a better layout. I like the three levels. Downstairs for steam room, sauna, and some suite. Upstairs for the suites. Bar, smoke room in the main level. What bothers me about 202 is that when you're making out with a guy in the suite, you cannot help but hear the dance music blasting from downstairs. Also, they seem to be playing the same set of music again and again. If you love the movie the Greatest Showman in the World then you will feel at home as the music from the movie is frequently played. At 117, this does not happen. You will not hear the dance music in your suite. So of the 8 days, I went to 202 twice and the rest of the time I visited 117. When one of the garoto asked me if I will come back the following day and I replied no, he immediately said that I will be at 117. He guessed right. When I think of 202 right now, I still hear the Never Enough dance remix that they must have played at least 5 times when I was there.

@Latbear4blk, you forget that we have reviews for US guys, so in the US, the answer to the question "how do I safely meet an escort" is always "If you are worried, only meet a well-reviewed guy." But we don't have that for South America. If they exist, it is still too hard for me to read them. So, I guess the question should be posed as "How do I safely meet un-reviewed guys in any high crime city?" (Brazilian cities are quite high up in the crime stats, see here: https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings.jsp, 6 Brazilian cities in the top 20, although Baltimore and Detroit are in there also.) And then people have some other questions that are specific to the country: what are the typical scams that are being performed in Brasil that are not common in the US? What is the ID card situation and can you rely on them? etc., etc.

If some of the garotos don’t like Junior, maybe it is because he doesn’t tolerate any bs? In my experience, none of the guys at 202 dared to pull the various rip-offs that happened at 117 (like putting unauthorized drinks on my tab). Managers that enforce rules are often disliked by workers. I always felt if I had a problem Junior would fix it...I’m not even sure who the managers are at 117.

Because they are out of there comfort zone. They are in a foreign country, the language is foreign, and the customs are foreign. Even the local restaurant menus and local transportation are foreign. Furthermore, various countries have varying laws regarding particular behavior. For example, in Brazil, prostitution is legal while in the United States, it is illegal. There are countless reports of violence against foreigners in news reports and even in the State Departments travel warnings. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/brazil-travel-advisory.html So, now you know.

Just a note to say I am looking forward to the site!

It will be nice to get another opinion of the place. Three different Brazilian friends went there on opening night. Two reported back to me that they had a good time and will return. One reported back that the guys there are twinks similar to what is found in Rio at Meio Mundo. This friend said he thinks the place will not last long and that he has no plans to return. Isn't it great that we all like different things and have different opinions?

Sanddunes, in the case you get charged for something you didn't ask at 117, you just have to tell the guys at the reception desk. There won't be problems. The thing is that 117 is a much more discrete environment. The fact that the managers aren't always in the main areas, doesn't mean that they aren't watching and aren't aware about what's going on. That's just discretion which is what 202 doesn't have. The way Junior (and the managers) acts combined to the layout of the sauna, sometimes make me uncomfortable. They're always there somehow close to you. The loud, repeating music is another no-go for me. But i still go to 202 because there are some good days where you can find great guys. Imho, 117 will always be the place to go because it's greatly managed and the selection of guys is huge and high-quality.

You have to go to the Hungz area and that is where the gay escorts are. It is easiest to search by distance but they have an amazing presence in EU. Thailand has some and some sexy guys but not as many as the EU area has.

I am not afraid at Brazil not because I am from South America, but because I am coming from Washington DC.

You seem like a nice guy. However, I don't think you have ever been to Rio or Sao Paulo or even to any city in Brazil. If you had been there, you would understand why new travelers (someone who has never been to Brazil) are concerned about crime considering all the news about the violence and corruption there. I believe you said you are from South America. If that is so, I can understand why you are not concerned with possible violence in Brazil or to other parts of South America. Even though occasional threads are created that express concern over possible violence in Brazil, I answer the questions hoping to lower concerns a new traveler might have. Many years ago, I was a new traveler to Brazil and someone answered my questions for me at that time. I am merely paying back a favor.

With her, it doesn't even start!

you go to ALL the saunas! There you go, of the rails again. I almost fell asleep reading your reply, that is incoherent as usual......

This is subjective but i think so! Certainly the upgraded facility is nicer i think. there are several factors at play when you talk about it! 1) Location , remember locals are 98% of the customers, so 117 may be easier for them to get to and save a 1/2 hr travel time each way! 2)Familarity! i have 3 dry cleaners near my home but i only go to one, because i know them better! Same with saunas! 3)type of boys that sauna has predominately. 117 is known for muscle guys, MM was known for twinks, i think the new Pointe is attracting a good mix right now!

Your observation/comments are wrong on a couple points! 1)while he is good with customers he is not always so with the Boys! Many do not really like him and work there begrudgingly! I have known Junior for 16 years and with age does come wisdom but that is still one of his problem areas. 2)He cannot nor can any owner provide a contingent of boys for every night! The guys are “independent contractors!” They go where they think the money is when they need money. this for some, is once a week or once a month or nightly going to all 3 saunas depending on which night is the best at which sauna. and as i alluded to before, the “average sauna worker” work lifespan is around 3 - 6 months although during a economic downturn like Brazil is experiencing it could be much longer but 80% don’t want or like the life of a whore but they do it for the money when they have to! There are the exceptions! I know of 2 guys who I have photos of from 2001 that are still working at 117! One 20 yr old who i met this last trip 4 weeks ago had only been working 3 days when we met, messaged me to tell me he quit and now working cleanup on a construction site for less money but it is 5 days a week. So for the sauna owners to provide a steady flow of guys every night as you mentioned Junior should be able to do is impossible even with a nice facility!

strippers and drag queen from tonight’s show

Wow. Rio has 3 happening central saunas com garotos (202, 117, Manhattan Rios), 1 still kicking central sauna (Meio Mundo), and 1 happening outskirt sauna (Bangu). Sao Paulo, which is almost twice as big, has only 2 saunas. What's happening? It can't be just the tourist trade that makes the difference with Rio. Are we missing other saunas in SP? Are there any on the SP outskirts, Alterosas being long gone. Are there any in Santos or Campinas and should those be included?

It is amazing to me how many of the sauna guys support Bolsonaro! Many on their FB page and Instantgram support him and promote his candidacy!!