Guest lurkerspeaks Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 I just booked my flight to Rio for mid-March. My last trip to the marvelious city was back in June of 2013. Last night I found a great apartment on Airbnb but when I went back to book it tonite, I could not find it. So still working on where I will stay. Next up is to get a new Brazilian Visa since mine expired. So much to get done and only a couple of months to get it done. So excited to go back to Rio for both the boys and the baby chickens of Gallitos Grill Quote
Valleyman Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 It is a good idea to begin the process of obtaining a visa as soon as possible. Most Brazilian consulates now require an appointment in order to submit a visa application and it can take time to get an appointment. For example I just noticed that the next available appointment time at the Los Angeles consulate is on February 24. And it can then take another week or 10 days for the visa to be issued. Have a great time in Brazil! Axiom2020 and TotallyOz 2 Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted January 23, 2016 Posted January 23, 2016 apartment in Ipanema (Airbnb) is confirmed. Visa application has been completed and fed ex-ed. I will be arriving on Wed Mar 16, and departing on Mon Mar 22.. Quote
Guest tomcal Posted January 23, 2016 Posted January 23, 2016 and Lurker will be staying about a 1/2 block from my apartment and i will be there the first 4 days of his stay! I was also there on his last trip 3 years ago.....it must be God's plan! Quote
Members scott456 Posted January 23, 2016 Members Posted January 23, 2016 6 day is really short. Quote
Guest tomcal Posted January 23, 2016 Posted January 23, 2016 6 day is really short. Not everyone has the time or money to go for longer visits so they go when they can, which is way better then not going at all. Quote
Members mvan1 Posted January 23, 2016 Members Posted January 23, 2016 Not everyone has the time or money to go for longer visits so they go when they can, which is way better then not going at all. - As the proverb goes - "Half a loaf is better than none." - flipao, axiom2001 and SolaceSoul 3 Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 I am not as young as some, or young at heart as Tomcal, and my 5 nights of debauchery will be enough to keep me satiated for awhile. Quote
Axiom2020 Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Have a great time in Brazil! I’ve always enjoyed visiting Brazil from my first trip in 2002 up to my last of 2011. Right now I am hoping to return in 2017, revisiting Rio, Salvador (Bahia), Sao Paulo, and perhaps a couple of other places which will be new for me. Thus far, I’ve been to the major geographical areas of Brazil. This was mentioned to me by my late travel agent in 2007 or 2008. apartment in Ipanema (Airbnb) is confirmed. Visa application has been completed and fed ex-ed. I will be arriving on Wed Mar 16, and departing on Mon Mar 22.. Enjoy immensely as previously! Quote
Badboy81 Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 6 day is really short. What is the ideal time frame for a visist? 6 days would be plenty to enjoy what Rio has to offer especially if you have been before Quote
Guest tomcal Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 I usually go for 10 days, so I can spend one weekend either at the end or beginning of the trip to go to Porto Alegre(which imho is only a weekend place) after 10 days I am ready to go home. Quote
Members scott456 Posted January 24, 2016 Members Posted January 24, 2016 My first time was 2 weeks in Rio last month. This is my 2nd time now, also 2 weeks: one week in SP, one week Rio. I plan to come back in June for a month and join my Brazilian friends in the gay pride parade in SP. Next winter, I plan to stay the whole max 90 days visa allowance per visit. I will be happy to escape the cold winter in the states. I really should learn Portuguese. Quote
Members SolaceSoul Posted January 25, 2016 Members Posted January 25, 2016 My first time was 2 weeks in Rio last month. This is my 2nd time now, also 2 weeks: one week in SP, one week Rio. I plan to come back in June for a month and join my Brazilian friends in the gay pride parade in SP. Next winter, I plan to stay the whole max 90 days visa allowance per visit. I will be happy to escape the cold winter in the states. I really should learn Portuguese. Just a suggestion, but instead of staying the entire 90 days at once, you'd be better off staying a few days less just in case of an emergency. In the event that something unforeseen comes up and you have to overstay your visa even by 1 day, you might have a very big problem entering the country again. Quote
Members scott456 Posted January 25, 2016 Members Posted January 25, 2016 Just a suggestion, but instead of staying the entire 90 days at once, you'd be better off staying a few days less just in case of an emergency. In the event that something unforeseen comes up and you have to overstay your visa even by 1 day, you might have a very big problem entering the country again. Good point. thanks. Quote
12is12 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Tomcal with your permisison, Why is PA worth a weekend visit?Are the saunas, garotos or sex there different from other places? Quote
Guest tomcal Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Tomcal with your permisison, Why is PA worth a weekend visit? Are the saunas, garotos or sex there different from other places? Porto Alegre is a city with about 1.5 million people in it's Metro area, but feels smaller and as far as nightlife..i.e. saunas, it's really only good on the weekends.. Sundays are OK, and Mon - Thur. very slow. Why it is worth going to, is that for the 2 or 3 nights it is open it is very good and Mezziniu Sauna is, IMHO, the nicest sauna in Brazil. The owner built it as a new building designed from the ground up to be a sauna, it is not converted from something else like most others. As you can see from the photos it is two story with a glassed in shower in the bar area. It has 15 suites all with double or queen size beds and bathrooms attached. The population of So.Brazil is very European looking with Porto Alegre specifically having residents from Germany,Poland and No. Italy, and the guys working in the saunas reflect this. Here are some photos of the sauna and of some guys that come from POA Quote
Members wncdemcub Posted January 26, 2016 Members Posted January 26, 2016 I am planning on including a stop there on my next trip axiom2001 1 Quote
12is12 Posted January 29, 2016 Posted January 29, 2016 Thx Tomcal, I get the pro (building), but since I prefer the Latin type rather than the European, I guess that's a con for me..... ? Quote
Guest tomcal Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Thx Tomcal, I get the pro (building), but since I prefer the Latin type rather than the European, I guess that's a con for me..... ? I would guess so! :-) I am fortunate I don't have a Type! I have preferences but I usually am happy with what is available at where ever I am! :-) Quote
Guest colina77 Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 I am going with a friend to Buenos Aires for the month of March. I was intending to fly to Porto Alegre for a weekend during this month but I neglected to leave enough time to get a Brazilian Visa. Here in Vancouver, the wait is 35 days for a visa from the Brazilian Consulate. Does anyone have any experience getting a visa from the Brazilian Consulate in Buenos Aires, would they be any quicker considering that they are neighboring countries. Quote
Members mvan1 Posted February 4, 2016 Members Posted February 4, 2016 I am going with a friend to Buenos Aires for the month of March. I was intending to fly to Porto Alegre for a weekend during this month but I neglected to leave enough time to get a Brazilian Visa. Here in Vancouver, the wait is 35 days for a visa from the Brazilian Consulate. Does anyone have any experience getting a visa from the Brazilian Consulate in Buenos Aires, would they be any quicker considering that they are neighboring countries. Are you aware that there are many visa service companies that claim they can get you a Brazilian visa in one day? The fee for the rapid service varies. The visa, itself, is $160.00 and the service could be as much as $180.00 additional. Here is but one such service - http://samedaypassport-visa.com/la/visa/brazil/fees-processing-times/ Check Google for other similar type services. Getting a Brazil visa from Argentina might work but it could be easier and faster if you use one of the rapid visa services. Good luck - Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Five weeks to go.. Today I picked up my "starter" Brazilian money from my bank. I got an email that the Visa company completed my Visa and is shipping it back to me today... so I am all set.. Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Three weeks and counting. Can't wait to return to Rio. And to add to the excitement, Tomcal will be around the first few days I am there. We will be neighbors as out apartments are about a block apart. Quote
Axiom2020 Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 10 days to go..... These days will arrive sooner than you perhaps realize! Have a wonderful trip. Could you post specific contact info. here regarding your apartment where you will be staying? Quote
