my December trip to Rio and SP

[Tomcal]

It is Saturday morning and i am the only one up!  Last night we got to Lagoa late for us, 6:30 and it was packed! Myself and a friend from Rio both were going to take a hour nap and ended up sleeping from 2:30 to 6:00! i never take naps but i guess my body really needed this one!

I got a great no messy ty e. g from One of the Venezuelan masseuses Which ended with great sex! i have known him for about 3 years. When i got back to the bar area one of my favorite guys at Lagoa was at out table along with 2 of my all time favorite guys who no longer work in the sauna but still escort from time to time. we sat there and talked a lot and before we knew it it was 10:30 and too late to rent a room so the 5 of us decided to go back to my Airbnb! I know the valet at lagoa well and he got us a taxi that would take the 5 of us in his cab at a matching.Uber rate! It is 15 minutes from Lagoa to the house so we then decided we better buy some food and the driver said he would stop at the market if we got him a Gatoraid! Done Deal! it took almost 15 minutes to buy the food as their were a lot of people buying late night snacks!

when we got back to the house we had 3 Bottoms and 2 tops so we ate our food fast and went up to the loft which has a queen size bed. Ty his session lasted about a hour when. we were all exhausted and drained!. When i woke up one person was sleeping next to me, 2 other ones in the 2nd bedroom and one asleep on the 8’ sofa! They are all still asleep at 8:00 am!

Tonight i have a date with the couple i mentioned in the post from early November and really looking forward to that!.

[Tomcal]

the 2nd paragraph should say “i got a really good massage ...”

[Tomcal]

i didn’t write about Do you do on Saturday night with the couple! they are really really nice guys! Very sweet and so unlike the bitchy queens we all run across! they told me they already have most of the money saved to come to Mexico this. coming spring to visit! i can’t wait although i hope to be back to brazil before then!

last night at Lagoa was Karaoke night(ugh), and it attracts a different type of client and most of the rent boys there are older - 28 to 35+ and not as attractive as what we are used to at Lagoa! although there were a few gems among them!  

Went to te airport about 7:30and the place  like a ghost town!? no lines at security you just breeze right thru! in business class there are 50 seats band only 6 were filled!! 

 

[Lucky]

3 hours ago, Tomcal said:

i didn’t write about Do you do on Saturday night with the couple! they are really really nice guys! Very sweet and so unlike the bitchy queens we all run across! they told me they already have most of the money saved to come to Mexico this. coming spring to visit! i can’t wait although i hope to be back to brazil before then!

last night at Lagoa was Karaoke night(ugh), and it attracts a different type of client and most of the rent boys there are older - 28 to 35+ and not as attractive as what we are used to at Lagoa! although there were a few gems among them!  

Went to te airport about 7:30and the place  like a ghost town!? no lines at security you just breeze right thru! in business class there are 50 seats band only 6 were filled!! 

 

Gee. I wanted to hear more about "Do you do."

[Tomcal]

Try writing a cognitive paragraph on a phone after a drink or two!

 :-) it’s. not  too easy for. a old guy!    lol 

Edited December 14, 2020 by tomcal

[travguy]

Hello:

What are the current requirements to arrive in Brasil by air? Seems like it is possible to travel by air now / Jan 2021 / Feb 2021. Wonder if Brasil will shut down Carnaval this year. Arriving in Brasil via ship or road seems to be a major hassle.

Seems like health insurance for Brasil is no longer required? If obtained anyway, what companies have recommended policies?

Visas might not be an issue depending on where you are from.

I did not see any requirement for a recent negative COVID test.

Airfares to Sao Paulo appear much less than Rio. Is there much to see and do in SP for a tourist during COVID or is it mostly shut down except for for the Boy saunas? If museums, bars, clubs and shopping are mostly closed is a few days in SP worthwhile compared to the beaches and Boy saunas in Rio? If a few clubs are open, any suggestions for dancing, shows, and back room play? Thank you to the posters here for the various reviews of places during COVID.

Found a few garoto websites, like:

vivalocal, and 

http://www.netgay.com.br/escortsrjmenu.asp,

https://prazerbrasil.com/rio-de-janeiro-homens/,

https://putinho.net/tag/garotas-de-programa-sao-paulo/,

https://www.acompanhantesnaweb.com.br/garotos-programa/rio-de-janeiro-rj-br,

http://vamosgay.com/tag/garoto-de-programa/, (must be others as well), to go along with scruff, grindr, and hungz.

Might also think about Minas Gerais as well, etc if travel in Brasil is open now.

Thank you in advance for any answers here

Travguy

 

[sfcastro]

1 hour ago, travguy said:

Seems like health insurance for Brasil is no longer required? If obtained anyway, what companies have recommended policies?

 

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.

Edited December 16, 2020 by sfcastro
Added additional information

[SolaceSoul]

14 hours ago, travguy said:

What are the current requirements to arrive in Brasil by air? Seems like it is possible to travel by air now / Jan 2021 / Feb 2021. Wonder if Brasil will shut down Carnaval this year. Arriving in Brasil via ship or road seems to be a major hassle.

All Brazilian cities have cancelled the normal Carnaval during February 2021, and some have already rescheduled their Carnaval celebrations for July, while Rio considers it.

https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-entertainment/it-is-official-carnival-2021-in-sao-paulo-and-salvador-to-occur-from-july-8th-to-11th/

[Tomcal]

Heading back to Brazil the end of February! Airline tickets are at great prices right now!

[travguy]

Hello:  Boa dia

is there a consensus on best nights in different places in Rio and SP or best places to go on a given night?  Also - what time to arrive? What if there is a show night - hunker down for 4 plus hours?  One of my best times was in Europe around 4pm. Finished 2 boys by 6 pm

Thx in advance 

[Tomcal]

5 hours ago, travguy said:

 

is there a consensus on best nights in different places in Rio and SP or best places to go on a given night?

i covered that 2 weeks ago in my post on Rio and SP as far it pertains to the saunas!

[Lucky]

Thanks, tomcal!

[travguy]

Took a last minute flight after one the day before was cancelled. Flight was packed and the ua lounge in Iah was not nice and barely any food and little privacy in the packed lounge at term E. GIG airport ATMs seem to have a bad exchange rate. Will not know for sure until I try one in the city. Advice: get only what you need, maybe 50-100 $ or euros in RS. In Brazil small bills are helpful. GIG airport was quiet and some airport shopping is closed. The airport busses do not run now, so Uber 48RS or taxi, unknown price. There is a metro link but I did not check into it. 
Once at the hotel no issue with check in before noon, sometimes not possible before 1500 hrs. Misterb&b and Airbnb places were more expensive. City was moderately busy. 
went to Sexy Rose in cinelandia By 1600 hrs Not busy but had great sex with 2 guys within an hour !! First was in 50s and good shape for age.  Great bj and bottom. Looked 30 yo in the dark. Lol.  Second guy looked 20 y o with hat on and 60 yo with hat off. Sex was awesome and we walked around the city to lago Machado for early dinner / late lunch. Decided to skip the saunas as mr happy was already very happy. Fell asleep by 2000 hrs as I barely slept on the flight to Brazil. So never made it to lapa. The guy I met also said it was dangerous now with many pickpockets but I think that was also true in the past.

lazy start on Sunday. Hotel breakfast was small and everything offered in a closed plastic container. Due to covid. Unlike the US 90 plus percent of people everywhere wear masks - fewer at the beach, almost 100% on the street. Hand sanitizer is everywhere and most use it often. Will go to Ipanema for the market by G Osirio Metro and the gay beach and maybe the saunas to follow.

have already sort of met a few  guys on Grindr and scruff. They sent pics 

love motel Victoria (I think) is at the fort end of copa and was 100 rs in the past for an hour or so.

Tomcal, yes I saw your excellent prior postings and again many thanks :)

 

 

 

[travguy]

Sunday night jetlag and dehydration from a hot humid day caught up with me. Web app tag with the boys. On Monday, I had to work most of the day. Went to Pointe 202 from 1700-1830 hrs. I might have been the only punter when i entered. One boy looked like he had done too much heroin and been out in the sun too long. Two guys that might have been selling (and older) or buying (not in bad shape); I could not tell. By the time I left, maybe 3 other true patrons, one oriental, one heavy set and one more. Too many dance videos were strangely very violent with lots of blood. Not my cup of tea. Inside was too hot and humid. Unlike 117, no AC to be found. About 10 boys. Maybe 1 twinkish, 1 white and nice shape (not twink nor muscle), rest were black or dark mulatto. From pre-COVID times, nothing I wanted to pay for. Saw the Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Ipanema by 715pm and that was great. Walked from posto 9 back to the Siq Campos area. Lots of homeless folks, but felt safe. Tuesday am, a bit drizzly rainy.  More to follow.

[travguy]

Tuesday pm:  rain got heavier by lunchtime but was not too bad.  Often more like sprinkles vs a downpour   Went to the adult cinema at cinelandia.  Got some great bjs and then went to Sexy Rose and had some nice ass within 10 minutes of arriving !  Left quite happy. Had lunch by the metro stop and there was an anti vaccine rally nearby. The morons are everywhere. Had a juice by Gloria Metro and thought 2 of the boys there were heading to 117 but never saw them there. Oh well. I was at 117 from 1715-1915 hrs or so. Not quite as busy as the old days but not bad - free cabin night. Had 1 muscle boy-Ricardo I think. Some wanted 300 rs to cum. Good luck with that. Some traffic on the phone apps at 150-200 rs asking price. Much better than 202 experience yesterday (Monday). Ricardo and another punter gave me their WhatsApp numbers. I have never spoken so much French outside of France before, but alas not with the boys....lol.  FWIW I am not eating too much and drinking lots of juice to stay hydrated. Will do a hotel in copa for 1 week due to low cost and that it is comfy.  There was a note at 117 - closed Xmas eve, Xmas and NYE but open on the 1st.  Anyone have any suggestions for the 24th and Xmas day in Rio or nearby?  Thx  

[floridarob]

20 hours ago, travguy said:

 Anyone have any suggestions for the 24th and Xmas day in Rio

Church.....Seriously, that's all you be able to do. Everyone goes home to the families, unless you can get invited, not much to do

[travguy]

Wednesday was mostly cloudy with some light rain from time to time. Met up for a Grindr or scruff date at lunchtime. Then Fazendola for lunch in Ipanema. Sexy Rose was busy enough and had lots of sex cumming again right after arrival. Stayed for about 2 hours. Lots of stroking, group hand jobs and bjs followed. Due to a mix up in communication and a happy Penis I missed the apparently busy night at 202. Finally met up with a friend for dinner later on. He saw a cute twink boy from 202 with his sugar daddy for the night where we ate. Corujina as mentioned in older postings was dead and no boys were hanging out. Not sure if meio Mundo or any other garoto sauna is open for the 24 th or 25 th. 202 and 117 are closed for the next 2 nights. Might have a boy date on Thursday the 24th. Might try one of the mentioned gay bars coming up or maybe go to Lapa Friday night, Xmas. Xmas hotel prices are up a bit but still low. Hotel or bnb prices are high for NYE but much less than in the past with some reasonable places below 100 euros / $. The Atl Copa by Metro S Campos shows availability. 

[travguy]

Update Sunday 27 Dec: Drizzly Thurs 24 Dec. Despite what someone said Sexy Rose closed at 1700 hrs, had some fun, but quiet afternoon. Saunas were closed as best as I could tell. Had 1 GP via Scruff or Grindr. He did not look as good as photos and cost was a bit high (in the pouring rain) and a trip to Gloria, at 200 R$, but sex was great, so no complaints. Fri 25 Dec Xmas. Very quiet day and pouring rain. Pointe 202 was open, not busy, and had 2 guys of interest to me. I think the cabines were free. The one we used was dripping form the ceiling the whole time. The guy was not tall and very muscular with a beard. Forgot his non typical name. Sex was very good. The other GP, twinkish Glenn found a sugar daddy ?couple. The show went off on time at 2100 hrs (am I in the correct universe, a gay drag and stripper show going off on time) but I left at 2130 hrs. Maybe 4 customers and 6-8 GPs at that time.  Sat 26 Dec was an unexpectedly nice day. Did the beach, but only briefly so as not to burn. Even with clouds, my European friend got very red earlier in the week. I had a base coat tan and limited myself to just 30+ minutes in the morning sun as the weather was supposed to get a bit drizzly rainy in the pm (did not happen). Due to other reasons, the rest of the day was fun but mis-timed. I left Sexy Rose very happy again, but due to being eaten alive by mosquitoes while eating and thinking I got a very large rash, which kept getting larger, from the leg bites I went back to the hotel. Basically ended my Saturday. The meds worked great. Unfortunately, the meds also put me to sleep and my cha cha nap lasted until 1am. So I missed out on what must have been a super excellent Sat night due to all of the rain in the days before. LOL. Sunday 27 Dec is drizzly again this am. 

Also checked on the exchange rates. RS has weakened a bit over the past week. In the end, both bank accounts reimbursed for at least 2 of my airport ATM withdrawal fees so far. The exchange rates used had me loosing less than 1% of the Xe.com rates posted for the 15 minute interval. The rates for each bank were very slightly different, but quite reasonable. Do not know about the more recent ATM uses yet. Advice: bring several cards in case they get eaten by the ATMs and if cards do not work at a certain location, try another location / bank and the cards may very well function normally. Try not to get get mixed up between checking, savings, and universal accounts as this can be another reason for your ATM card not to work. Always call or web in your travel details so your bank does not freeze your ATM card abroad. NEVER accept the ATM machine or merchant conversion rate !!!  Guaranteed bad rip off and there should be laws against this.  

Now to refill my Brasil SIM card.

Edited December 27, 2020 by travguy
spelling error

[travguy]

Forgot to add: Meio Mundo / New Meio Mundo appears to be open and on the facebook page, some of the boys are hunky, not twinkish looking. New address seems very close to old address from years ago. Might be closed Sundays. Has some shows listed too. Could not get their Brasil website to work. Do not about ? Manhattan Rio Sauna.

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, travguy said:

Manhattan Rio Sauna.

Closed

[Kevie770]

8 hours ago, travguy said:

Forgot to add: Meio Mundo / New Meio Mundo appears to be open and on the facebook page, some of the boys are hunky, not twinkish looking. New address seems very close to old address from years ago. Might be closed Sundays. Has some shows listed too. Could not get their Brasil website to work. Do not about ? Manhattan Rio Sauna.

I went to the new Meio Mundo a couple of weeks ago on live sex night. The drag queen was fun but none of the guys were up to my standard. A friend went earlier that night and said there was a fun sex party backstage. I didn’t see any guys I would want to participate in a sex party with. 

[MiamiEthan]

Questions for a first timer.  Found a biz class flight for $1800 and have credits left from a few cancelled flights that I can consolidate to cover it so — free direct flight in biz to Rio!

Like all my trips, I’m going to plan real things not involving sex. Hanggliding, a Sugarloaf hike, beachtime! Booking dinners at Lasai  and Oteque which are both supposed to be amazing. So suggestions welcome. Buuuut, the real questions I have for you all are sauna and garoto related. 

I have zero experience with saunas — anywhere.  Is there a thread on sauna etiquette, specifically Rio saunas? I can get a lot from Tomcals thread that started in 2010 (thanks for that). I’ve read nearly all the threads but not able to find info on a few things... I hate being the guy with all the questions,  but have a lot so here are some of them. If you help, I’ll give a great readout of my trip in return:

At sauna: Are folks naked? Underwear? Up to the person? Saw a post from 2010 that said it was up to the person, what do most people do? Underwear? Towel? Gym shorts?

Do you rent a room when you go in? I see a few posts where it says the guy gets the room? What are room rates and do you get one for the night or for each visit.

Do garotos speak English? If no, I saw @Tomcal post from 2010 with some key phrases.  But didn’t seem to indicate if English was common in Rio or no?  I’m down for learning some Portuguese, but don’t have much time and am hopeless with languages — so not sure how I’ll do in the next couple weeks — beyond the 3 or 4 phrases Tomcal suggested.

I prefer luxe hotels, but are places like fasano ok for bringing guys back? For my first time an Airbnb seems risky, but tell me if I’m wrong.  I don’t really wanna stay in a midrange or lower end hotel, are those my only options if I want programmas? Any recs?

I don’t like to haggle. Do you have to? Seems going rate is 150-200, is that right? Do I ask then for a price or can I suggest 175? and when does discussing rate come into play in the conversation? In the room? Before the room — even if others are around?  
 

as for what they will do, I like the suggestion of asking if they’re a good kisser as I love making out, but what about other stuff, active, passive, etc. should I just assume they’ll do most things in the mainstream or do you need to discuss firsts. If you’re in a group and interested in one guy do you just ask him in front of others, ask him to step away for discussion, etc?

What can I do to be a good human in instances of saunas and garotos? Saw the notes on tipping. They were helpful. But aside from being nice and maybe a reasonable tip, anything that is appreciated by locals?

I know there’s risk of covid transmission, but any info on amount of risk? Or mitigation? 
 

that’s a lot. Thank you!

Also, anyone else in Rio in late January and want to grab dinner [my treat] or if you want to make virtual intros or point me in right direction happy for the help. Very much appreciating the threads, they are great. 

cc: @floridarob  @Tomcal  @numazu1 @SolaceSoul 

[Tomcal]

2 hours ago, MiamiEthan said:

Questions for a first timer.  Found a biz class flight for $1800 and have credits left from a few cancelled flights that I can consolidate to cover it so — free direct flight in biz to Rio!

Like all my trips, I’m going to plan real things not involving sex. Hanggliding, a Sugarloaf hike, beachtime! Booking dinners at Lasai  and Oteque which are both supposed to be amazing. So suggestions welcome. Buuuut, the real questions I have for you all are sauna and garoto related. 

I have zero experience with saunas — anywhere.  Is there a thread on sauna etiquette, specifically Rio saunas? I can get a lot from Tomcals thread that started in 2010 (thanks for that). I’ve read nearly all the threads but not able to find info on a few things... I hate being the guy with all the questions,  but have a lot so here are some of them. If you help, I’ll give a great readout of my trip in return:

At sauna: Are folks naked? Underwear? Up to the person? Saw a post from 2010 that said it was up to the person, what do most people do? Underwear? Towel? Gym shorts?

Do you rent a room when you go in? I see a few posts where it says the guy gets the room? What are room rates and do you get one for the night or for each visit.

Do garotos speak English? If no, I saw @Tomcal post from 2010 with some key phrases.  But didn’t seem to indicate if English was common in Rio or no?  I’m down for learning some Portuguese, but don’t have much time and am hopeless with languages — so not sure how I’ll do in the next couple weeks — beyond the 3 or 4 phrases Tomcal suggested.

I prefer luxe hotels, but are places like fasano ok for bringing guys back? For my first time an Airbnb seems risky, but tell me if I’m wrong.  I don’t really wanna stay in a midrange or lower end hotel, are those my only options if I want programmas? Any recs?

I don’t like to haggle. Do you have to? Seems going rate is 150-200, is that right? Do I ask then for a price or can I suggest 175? and when does discussing rate come into play in the conversation? In the room? Before the room — even if others are around?  
 

as for what they will do, I like the suggestion of asking if they’re a good kisser as I love making out, but what about other stuff, active, passive, etc. should I just assume they’ll do most things in the mainstream or do you need to discuss firsts. If you’re in a group and interested in one guy do you just ask him in front of others, ask him to step away for discussion, etc?

What can I do to be a good human in instances of saunas and garotos? Saw the notes on tipping. They were helpful. But aside from being nice and maybe a reasonable tip, anything that is appreciated by locals?

I know there’s risk of covid transmission, but any info on amount of risk? Or mitigation? 
 

that’s a lot. Thank you!

Also, anyone else in Rio in late January and want to grab dinner [my treat] or if you want to make virtual intros or point me in right direction happy for the help. Very much appreciating the threads, they are great. 

cc: @floridarob  @Tomcal  @numazu1 @SolaceSoul 

Q at the sauna: Are folks naked? Underwear? Up to the person? 

A: whatever u are comfortable in! wear a towel wrapped around uour waist or your street clothes you will se many of both!

Ouare wrong about Airbnb! it’s the way to go unless you are a sticker for room service! imho

Tiooing is individual! in 20 years of going i have never tipped but i do take certain guys to dinner and drinks if i like them! Some friends of mine tip 20! i have never noticed a difference in the attention paid or not paid to us because of tipping so if u like to tip go for it!

Q:Do you rent a room when you go in? I see a few posts where it says the guy gets the room? What are room rates and do you get one for the night or for each visit.

A: Usuallythe bout gets the room, there is a difference in price although the rooms are not any different really at 117, all rooms upstairs having round beds. at pointe there are several prices depending on room size and bed size but the difference in price i think is around 10 R on the non free suite nights! that is whyTuesday at 117 and Wed at Pointe are the most popular because rooms are free!

 

Coid is ..well covid be informed and educate tuiurself and then make ty our end decisions! i was in Brazil twice i. the last 90 das for a total of 25 days, i am healthy! 

U can pm me if u have any other questions i 

Edited December 28, 2020 by tomcal

[travguy]

Sunday afternoon was a bit busy at Sexy Rose during a drizzly light rainy day. Three of the guys I saw later showed up at 117, likely as working boys, one was at 117 before I left around 2000 hrs, 2 more were walking up the street in that direction as I left for Metro Gloria. I stayed at 117 from around 1800-2000 hrs. Moderately busy. Several GPs caught my eye. Regarding MiamiEthan: another punter or 2 at a table where they were buying drinks for the boys has this covid masked GP come to his table in the outdoor smoking lounge. Might have bought him a water. I see this same toned surfer body guy in the porn room 20 minutes later and say hello. Still has his mask on (no-one else of the GPs is wearing one). We agree on a programma. He has me get the room key, the GPs usually do that. He has me top him for 30 minutes or more, wore me out (not all of us are like Jedi Master Tom Cal). He barely sucked and did not kiss. He was a bit of a loose bottom. Spoke only PT. Oh well. My bill when I left was about 140 for entry and the cabine so I assume we did double time there..... There were a few other guys of interest, but I was worn out and left before the show. Please note that some GPs entered and some left all through the time I was there. Some punters did not seem to buy time with the GPs despite lots of time with them talking and buying a Red Bull etc. So these things were not typical from what I saw in the past. As for the price, you can negotiate, the GP can say no. Please, always be nice to the GP, even if not interested when they say hello to you. It is not a great life and most do try to please and seek return customers or overnights. Please be aware, I speak limited PT, and it is not unusual for the boy not to do as planned. I also review the program and the price multiple times. I expected my GP to do more than just bend over. Funny how that never happens at Sexy Rose where the sex is free - no cost - and completely consensual. If you want, say hello to the other punters. They will provide some guidance. My guess is that basic sex with GP as top or if you suck them is about RS100. You can cum. They will not. If want to be sucked, most will put a condom on you first. I f you want more, you pay more. All negotiable. For the big muscle guy porn star types, it might cost much more and they might not deliver what you expected. You pay the GP cash back in the locker area after your program. You pay the sauna its fees separately. Make sure you have enough cash from the ATMs etc to allow a few programs, some drinks, some cabine costs, some entry costs. R$1000 on you is not unreasonable, plus it allows some money for dinner or drinks after or if you find a GP for an overnight. Others might wish to comment about cash on you.        You find the GP first, then get a room. On free cabine nights there might be a queue with 15+ minute wait times pre COVID.  Hope this assists newbies.  

Tonight, Monday, my European friend wants to try Meio Mundo in Centro. 202 was terrible last Monday. 117 is closed today (I think).

[MiamiEthan]

On 12/27/2020 at 10:20 PM, MiamiEthan said:

Questions for a first timer.  Found a biz class flight for $1800 and have credits left from a few cancelled flights that I can consolidate to cover it so — free direct flight in biz to Rio!

Like all my trips, I’m going to plan real things not involving sex. Hanggliding, a Sugarloaf hike, beachtime! Booking dinners at Lasai  and Oteque which are both supposed to be amazing. So suggestions welcome. Buuuut, the real questions I have for you all are sauna and garoto related. 

I have zero experience with saunas — anywhere.  Is there a thread on sauna etiquette, specifically Rio saunas? I can get a lot from Tomcals thread that started in 2010 (thanks for that). I’ve read nearly all the threads but not able to find info on a few things... I hate being the guy with all the questions,  but have a lot so here are some of them. If you help, I’ll give a great readout of my trip in return:

At sauna: Are folks naked? Underwear? Up to the person? Saw a post from 2010 that said it was up to the person, what do most people do? Underwear? Towel? Gym shorts?

Do you rent a room when you go in? I see a few posts where it says the guy gets the room? What are room rates and do you get one for the night or for each visit.

Do garotos speak English? If no, I saw @Tomcal post from 2010 with some key phrases.  But didn’t seem to indicate if English was common in Rio or no?  I’m down for learning some Portuguese, but don’t have much time and am hopeless with languages — so not sure how I’ll do in the next couple weeks — beyond the 3 or 4 phrases Tomcal suggested.

I prefer luxe hotels, but are places like fasano ok for bringing guys back? For my first time an Airbnb seems risky, but tell me if I’m wrong.  I don’t really wanna stay in a midrange or lower end hotel, are those my only options if I want programmas? Any recs?

I don’t like to haggle. Do you have to? Seems going rate is 150-200, is that right? Do I ask then for a price or can I suggest 175? and when does discussing rate come into play in the conversation? In the room? Before the room — even if others are around?  
 

as for what they will do, I like the suggestion of asking if they’re a good kisser as I love making out, but what about other stuff, active, passive, etc. should I just assume they’ll do most things in the mainstream or do you need to discuss firsts. If you’re in a group and interested in one guy do you just ask him in front of others, ask him to step away for discussion, etc?

What can I do to be a good human in instances of saunas and garotos? Saw the notes on tipping. They were helpful. But aside from being nice and maybe a reasonable tip, anything that is appreciated by locals?

I know there’s risk of covid transmission, but any info on amount of risk? Or mitigation? 
 

that’s a lot. Thank you!

Also, anyone else in Rio in late January and want to grab dinner [my treat] or if you want to make virtual intros or point me in right direction happy for the help. Very much appreciating the threads, they are great. 

cc: @floridarob  @Tomcal  @numazu1 @SolaceSoul 

I’ve decided that based on current spikes, new strain and the dozens of pics on insta of my friends partying in Rio without masks, that the likelyhood of me not getting Covid during a January visit is slim to none. I’ll just wait until March or so when I can get a vaccine and am confident that (a) I am much more protected from geting Covid and (b) [and this is my real fear] I can be relatively confident I wouldnt contract it and then give it to someone and make them very ill or worse.  

Thanks for all the pointers! I’m sure they’ll still be valid in March/April when I visit after I receive the vaccine.  And, I’ll post about my trip at that point.
 

Happy New Year everyone! 

Edited December 30, 2020 by MiamiEthan