sfcastro

It is good for multiple trips and mine is valid for 10 years. It took 3-4 weeks of processing time before I received the e-visa so suggest applying early.

It was 2007 https://extra.globo.com/noticias/brasil/sauna-gay-de-37-anos-recebe-visita-da-policia-741071.html

Thank you for the information. Is it the same owners with a new name? Do you know if they are changing anything?

Just be sure and ask that question of the hotel and/or Airbnb host where you will be staying. You can find placed with speeds that fast, gerally up to 125mps, but I've stayed in many places where the speed is less than 10 mps. I found it useful to being an ethernet cable and adapter so I can connect directly to the routers/connection in a hotel as wifi speeds vary a lot in certain placed that I have stayed.

If you are a US citizen, you no longer need a visa to travel to Brazil. So nice not having to worry about having a valid visa any longer! https://onemileatatime.com/brazil-dropping-visa-requirements-us-citizens/

Lach Jardim Botânico, 512 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22461-000 https://www.lach.com.br/exames.html Be sure and get the Covid RT-PCR test (not the rapid test), which is the one generally needed for international travel. Cost is 350 reais for results in 48 hours and 500 reais for results in 24 hours. Prices seem to change, so use these as a general guide. Like CR-Diagnosticos in Sao Paulo, you contact them through Whatsapp for information and appointments. Note that the lab at Santos Dumont does not currently offer the RT-PCR test, just the rapid test which may not be valid for travel to the USA, so be aware if considering using that service.

Lach Jardim Botânico, 512 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22461-000 https://www.lach.com.br/exames.html Be sure and get the Covid RT-PCR test (not the rapid test), which is the one needed for international travel into the USA. Cost is 350 reais for results in 48 hours and 500 reais for results in 24 hours. Prices seem to change, so use these as a general guide. Like CR-Diagnosticos in Sao Paulo, you contact them through Whatsapp for information and appointments. Note that the lab at Santos Dumont does not currently offer the RT-PCR test, just the rapid test which is not valid for travel to the USA, so be aware if considering using that service.

I had a recent conversation with a couple of guys I know from Porto Alegre who told me the Mezzaninu is permanently closed. Apparently due to the illness of Riu, the owner. Does anyone know if this is actually true? I started going to Mezzaninu when it first opened and have always enjoyed it, especially in comparison to the Plataforma sauna, the other sauna there.

Just a heads up that as of January 26, all international travelers to the USA, including US Citizens, will need to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of your flight. There is a similar requirement for entering Brazil. In Brazil, there is testing at GRU airport in Sao Paulo in Terminal 3 with CR Diagnosticos and they advise that you arrive 6 hours prior to your flight if you are flying the same day to ensure you get your results in time. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html

One of the best options for travel insurance is Square Mouth. https://www.squaremouth.com/ Be sure and check the boxes on left for Coronavirus coverage and I would recommend selecting recommend Primary Medical Insurance. Be sure and look at the Primary Medical Insurance amounts on the policy results as a reasonable amount of coverage is not much more. This insurance is quite inexpensive especially if you don't select Trip Cancellation coverage and could be quite beneficial if you need hospital care given the current situation in Brazil with Covid. There are no current requirements for a Covid test prior to entering Brazil and they also no longer require proof of medical insurance to enter the country.

I will let TomCal answer the Ipanema/Farme question, but wanted to note that there are two newer gay bars open in Copacabana. Nice to have these with the closer of Leboy a few years ago. Pink Flamingo located at R. Duvivier, 21, which is close to Copacabana Palace. I've been three or fours times and liked it, but prefer it before midnight with mostly music videos vs later when the music format turned to more electronic music without vocals. Black Cat located at Av. Princesa Isabel, 21, which is a cross from the large Hilton Hotel at the edge of Copacabana/Leme. I have not been yet but it was recommended by a couple guys in Rio for me to try.

Thanks for the recommendation. What area in the city would you recommend staying? Did you stay at a hotel or Airbnb? Any issues with guests?

Agreed that is would be wise to purchase travel insurance covering primary medical with medical evacuation including COVID19 when traveling to Brazil. The high incidence rate alone, which is is understated, and the fact of that you don't want to be dealing with hospitals in Brazil if you have complications. It will cost less than $50 for 2-3 weeks of coverage, which is inexpensive in my opinion.

Consider bring cash from your home country and converting at a cambio in the city. The better ones will give you a good rate and is safer than using an ATM in Brazil.

My opinion is NOT to have you camera around your neck. It is too tempting and you run a high risk if having it stolen right off of you. I was with a Brazilian friend in his 20's less than a year ago in Rio, and while we were stopped at a corner, a young guy came up to and asked a question and then proceeded to rip cheap gold chain right from off of his neck and started running. SP and Rio are well worth visiting, but are cities where you need to be extra cautious on your initial visits.