belkinDC

What are the dates you see the direct FLL-BEL flight? I don’t see any such direct flight for the next few months on Google flights.

I have read a blog post detailing the steps to open an account with Bradesco without needing a residency visa: https://toughnickel.com/personal-finance/Can-a-Tourist-Open-a-Bank-Account-in-Brazil I haven’t attempted this myself (as I determined the potential benefits of a local account were not worth the apparently considerable hassle), but providing the link the in case it may prove helpful to someone.

Is the “service fee” a flat fee charged for use of the ATM, or do they somehow add a fee on that is a function of the percentage you withdraw (or having a bad exchange rate)? For those with accounts that reimburse ATM fees, the former would not be as much of a concern. But still good to be aware of! I haven’t paid as close attention as I should have but never recall paying more than a ~$5-6 USD atm fee in Brazil, which I never stressed over as Schwab reimbursed at the end of the month. But I didn’t verify the competitiveness of the exchange rate. [EDIT] I should add though that I HAVE compared the offered exchange rates when credit card machines offer to convert your BRL transaction to USD and it has universally been worse than the rate my own credit card companies (in Brazil, I use Citi and Chase cards) do the conversion at. Also, Lagoa at least codes as a “restaurant” on Citi cards that earn a restaurant bonus for spending 😀

On a related topic, many times in Brazil or elsewhere, when using a foreign credit card, the terminal machine will offer to "convert" the transaction from BRL to USD and charge you in USD instead (or presumably CAD/EUR etc depending on where your card was issued). Be aware that the offered conversion rate is usually terrible and much worse than if you decline and have your own bank do the conversion.

Actually I believe they do charge a 1% foreign transaction fee: https://www.fidelity.com/cash-management/faqs-atm-debit-card Good to know about the various options though.

Agree it’s best to use an ATM (try to use one in a bank lobby, during the day for best safety). An exchange kiosk at a mall or airport is giving to be a far worse rate most likely even after accounting for ATM fees. You can check with your bank to see if they have any partnerships with Brazilian banks to waive ATM fees. For Americans - I highly recommend signing up for a Charles Schwab checking account - it’s completely free with no minimum balance and they offer unlimited reimbursement of ATM operator fees worldwide. I just keep a nominal amount in it for withdrawals while traveling and top it up from my main bank via Zelle as needed.

On my last trip (Nov 2021) I purchased a one year eSIM package from 3HK. 8 GB + 5 GB social (WhatsApp/FB etc) for about $34 USD. The plan is data-only but I was able to use my regular US cellular plan that has WiFi calling/texting to make/receive calls etc using the data from the plan as a WiFi network essentially. I used ~2GB during my 10 day trip (being somewhat conscientious to conserve data and be on WiFi whenever possible). It’s certainly cheaper to get a Brazilian SIM but I just wanted something that I knew would work right away without needing to visit a mall or navigate using a fake CPF number and Portuguese phone menu to activate. Plus, I still have 6 GB for future trips to Brazil or really any conceivable place I might travel in South America or elsewhere. Activation was super easy and I was up and running within 5 mins of landing at GRU. Note that traffic is routed through Hong Kong - I used a VPN to encrypt my data out of extra precaution. https://www.three.com.hk/prepaid/DIY/en/offer/travel (note that prices on the site are in Hong Kong Dollars - the 365 day global plan for 268 HKD is what I bought and came to ~$34 USD. Use a CC with no foreign transaction fees if possible)

You can get a month’s worth of FDA gold-stamped generic Viagra in the US for ~$8 with a coupon from GoodRx. I have also bought at Brazilian pharmacies for a similar or maybe even higher price just for convenience factor. Even if their dosing is off by ~20%, what’s the big deal? It’s not like we’re talking cancer medicines here 😂

A Brazilian bank account is required to send/receive Pix payments. I've not opened one myself but here is an article outlining the process for non-residents to open an account with Bradesco (which is apparently the only major bank that allows this for people without a visa): https://toughnickel.com/personal-finance/Can-a-Tourist-Open-a-Bank-Account-in-Brazil If you are just wanting to use it to pay guys, I would advise to just stick with cash wherever possible.

Would the at-home United tests satisfy this new requirement? https://www.emed.com/airline-travel

Hi all, I'm debating whether to spend a week in either Kiev or Istanbul in mid-August. My main priority is easy availability of muscular, vers men around 25-40 who charge something not too much higher than Brazil prices. Am I right that Kiev lacks anything like a sauna (vs. Istanbul having Aquarius Sauna) where one can meet/see several potential providers prior to hiring? How does general gay nightlife (and possibility of picking someone up) compare between the two cities? In the pro column for me for Istanbul is sauna Aquarius, bigger population (presumably more options), and there's a lot more touristy things I'd like to do there. In the pro for Kiev is that I'm (slightly) more attracted to Slavic men than to Turkish/Kurdish/Arab men, and from what I gather they are more likely to speak at least some English? I've registered for a Bluesystem account (took quite awhile to solve the captcha!) and a few of the guys I've reached out to have all quoted like 200-300 euro though, which seems crazy (maybe because I started conversation in English stating I'd be visiting soon from the US?). Maybe once over there on grindr/Hornet/Hungz it's a bit more reasonable though? Appreciate any thoughts you all might offer!

Any idea what prices might be like in Zagreb? Reached out to a few attractive guys on Hunqz yesterday but no replies (a bit concerning! I'm pretty decently built mid-30s and have a profile pic etc - also used Google translate into Croatian). Lots of biz availability on Austrian through VIE which also offers the in-airport testing ... mulling a trip in the next month or so... also tempted by Brazil but not sure I'm adventurous enough for that given the virus situation there!

From there it’s pretty much open season since Hungary is Schengen, right? Or are there now border controls inside the zone since COVID?

You’re right! May have to keep an eye on Lufthansa J availability. Mulling whether I’d be able to handle a week or two teleworking ET hours over there

That 48 hour requirement from collection of swab to border crossing would be well nigh impossible at least where I live (DC). PCR testing results take at least 3-4 days. I’m not aware of anywhere offering same day or 24 hour results which would basically be required if you wanted to be sure of not needing to self isolate before boarding flight.

Which airline has the direct BWI-SDQ flights? I’m unable to find Google flights.

UA also has EWR-GRU flights for sale in August with good award availability. Based in DC so may take advantage of that. Also, I misspoke re MIA-GIG on AA - press release said “Winter 2020”. Tempted to try my luck booking business class AA with Etihad miles (50k each way!) but LifeMiles is also 50k for UA business class so may just go with them if UA is more reliably going to operate the flights. Looking at Airbnbs in Ipanema right now and it’s crazy cheap!

I’m mulling the idea of a trip Aug 21 - Sept 6 or so (flying into Rio from Miami with some side trips to SP and PA) but concerned about the press release from AA today that MIA-GIG service is resuming winter ‘21.

Interesting... it says MIA-GIG flights are resuming Winter 2020, but Google Flights (and OneWorld award availability) still shows daily flights beginning August 18...

I was in Merida last week. Bars were all closed but a few restaurants were open for dine-in during weekdays. Had a good time meeting guys from Grindr and Milerotics - although the mosquitoes were horrible owing to the recent hurricane! Recommend bringing picaridin based spray with you and any other products you anticipate needing (e.g. Raid plug-ins) - local stores were sold out.

What do you mean by “minimal” - a 99.53% low risk?

I will have to check it out on my next trip!

Are you planning any trips this year?

That’s definitely a lot cheaper than ExpressVPN! Are you able to watch streaming services outside the US with them?

I’ve been using them for 18 or so months very happily - they are a reputable company. They were able to get Netflix/Amazon/Hulu working for me where others did not. Pretty reasonably priced too.