SolaceSoul

If this is the old, huge, overcrowded national prison in nearby La Victoria, which is about an hour drive outside of Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo and the closest older prison to the city, it has about 9,000 inmates in a place built for 900, and houses everything from mass murderers to drug lords to rapists to petty thieves. I doubt it’s one of the newer modeled prisons (there’s one about 30 minutes west of the city), because they tend to be more monitored and structured, like prisons in the U.S. If you’d like to read more opinions on what prisons in the DR are like, there’s some good reading: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-prisons-like-in-Dominican-Republic http://dr1.com/articles/jail.shtml

It’s not just called a prison. It’s an actual, active prison, run by the Dominican government, where they send the worst of the worst.

It’s VERY rainy, floody and stormy in Rio right now. Friends are sending me videos.

It is extremely foolish to walk around Santo Domingo wearing a $4,000 watch. It’s even more foolish wearing one and thinking you “do not look like a tourist”.

So, it looks like the Department of State under the current administration has decided to ramp up its travel warnings to US citizens traveling to Latin and South American countries. Here’s what just came into my mailbox from the STEP program for Dominican Republic. “Exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime. Violent crime, such as robbery, murder, and sexual assault, is common. The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality. Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page. If you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic: Be aware of your surroundings. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Crime and Safety Report for the Dominican Republic. U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist. Last Update: Reissued after regular review with no changes.”

The area near Sauna Thermas is a great lively gay-friendly neighborhood. I stayed within a 5 minute walk from the sauna, and there were gay bars and gay-friendly hotels in the area. The Rocafort subway station is also only a mere block away.

Based on what I have read, it seems that you both live in Atlanta. Which only proves that two very different kinds of people can live in the very same city, know two very different kinds of people, and have two very different kinds of experiences.

You’re so sure of yourself. So, why come in here seeking advice on whether it’ll work for you in Rio? You obviously don’t need our help. You’re the one who asked if really attractive men in Brazil would be down for your cuck fantasies and fuck your girlfriend while you watch, so apparently you didn’t know. NOW, all of a sudden, you’re so confident? Florida or anywhere else in the USA are by no means similar to Rio or anywhere in Brazil. And unless you found a place similar to working boy saunas in The Dominican Republic that no one else here is familiar with for recruiting for your cuck fantasy games, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Tell you what, smartass. Do the complete opposite of everything I just advised. You’re right. Those sex workers who make their money from sex will be happy to fuck your girlfriend with you, a guy, watching or playing around with them for free.

I’m going to try to keep my responses to you in the same polite and genteel fashion that you’ve been kind enough to keep here. I wouldn’t advise you trying your beach fantasy thing without a guide (meaning, someone you know who can introduce you to like-minded guys on the beach). Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble for you and your GF. When I say trouble, I mean getting setup or violence. If your GF is truly that hot (in comparison to what’s in Rio beaches, that’s a tall order), then propositions may happen naturally. However, although sex can be easy to find in Rio, as a white male foreigner tourist on his first trip, be prepared to pay — whether it’s an agreed-upon amount up front or a demanded amount afterwards. I am not saying that this is bound to occur, but being prepared in the event it does happen will uncomplicate your life a dozen-fold. I cannot count how many times I’ve talked to privileged tourists who think that brasileiro/as are going to be wowed by their sheer looks / personality / whatever, and then they become totally outraged, shocked or dismayed when they’re asked to pay for it somehow. Don’t be that guy. Secondly, it would be a huge mistake for you to presume that a garoto — a sex worker — will fuck your GF for free, especially while you watch. These guys have their own wives and girlfriends and side pieces. The likelihood of them being so impressed with your GF that they will waive a fee for you is foolish — especially since you want a regular arrangement. Again, expect to pay (for two), and maybe be pleasantly surprised if you don’t have to, or get offered a discount. But I highly doubt it. Sauna workers are most likely going to practice safe sex more than any rando you meet on the beach, the street or an app. Re: the beach guy (or any guy) that I know — sorry, but I just don’t go there. I don’t know you at all, this could go south quickly for everyone involved (including me), and my years of internet experience and travel experience have taught me well to avoid fulfilling those kinds of requests. There ARE others here, however, who don’t seem to adhere to my principles and just hand out contact information and photos of guys they have met like candy to kids during Halloween. Maybe one of them will give you an assist in that area? But I do wish you well and hope that you and your GF have a fun-filled, safe time.

Your situation is definitely do-able, as long as you conduct your business intelligently and discreetly. Almost every working garoto and casually non-working one that I know prefers to have sex with women (or at least publicly does). Many advertising working garotos de programa indicate that they are open to both men and women, knowing damn well that women rarely if ever peruse those gay escort ads. If you aren’t a Portuguese speaker, when you see ads, look for “homens e mulheres” — which means men and women. Also, the word for couples is “casais” (“travesti” means trans, for what it’s worth). Look at many garoto de programa, or “boy” ads and you’ll see one or more of these phrases. You can easily try a garoto out from an ad or an app like Grindr or Planet Romeo / Hunqz. Re: saunas, of course, your girlfriend cannot enter (and for this, I shall be eternally grateful). But most of the working guys in there will probably be interested in your arrangement, granted the pay is right (remember that they are there to make money, and often what the client looks like is of little concern). Offsite programas will most likely cost you more, as well as the costs of two clients in one who are present during the session (whether male/female or male/male), and the transportation costs to and from your hotel/apartment. Your GF being attractive to them might sweeten the deal a little. But, the sauna would be a good place for you to sample the goods yourself first, and show him photos of your GF, as well as get a feel if you are comfortable with him and introducing him to your girl. Re: the beach, this may be the riskiest move with the least opportunity for reward. Unless you already know the guy is a working guy, and know someone who knows his reputation, I would avoid this one without someone to guide you along on your first trip. I actually know several beach guys who somewhat clandestinely work the beaches for either men or women, but that takes a great deal of time and effort. FYI: One of my beach favorites (who definitely fits your desired description) met two of my visiting very hot lipstick lesbian friends with me on the beach, and literally spent the entire next week trying to fuck them (they weren’t about that life, however). I never asked but I got the strong feeling that he is the type that would be very uncomfortable with a woman knowing he also does guys. This is NOT a situation you’d want to get into in an unfamiliar environment. Good luck and exercise good judgment and caution.

Yes, you are.

I believe, based on what I have read here, that the prolific poster @Tomcal is just as tall as, if not taller than you. He’s also a very frequent traveler to Brazil. He was recently a victim of a group mugging. By gunpoint. In tony, upscale Ipanema in Rio. The others in that group that were also mugged were younger Brazilian men.

FYI, several countries have recently placed travel warnings to its citizens regarding the USA. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/travel/vacationing-in-the-united-states-be-warned-some-countries-say.amp.html

There should be absolutely NO need for anyone here to be wandering around Pina Beach in Recife after dark. Praia do Pina is a regular family-styled beach but on its northern end, it ends in a large favela called Brasilia Teimosa. Even in broad daylight, locals vehemently advise against walking further than 100 m along this beach in a northerly direction. Apart from that, there is a well-developed beach section on the south side of the beach. The only thing you’ll need to do is drive in an Uber THROUGH this area near Pina Beach and Brasilia Teimosa from Boa Viagem in order to go over the bridge to get to two of the northern saunas (Progresso and Boa Vista — the other, Blue Thermas is in the center of the Boa Viagem neighborhood and song require that trek). The best area to stay in Recife is the center of Boa Viagem (NOT the northern end of the strip closer to Pina Beach, as mentioned in the above warning), near the Boa Viagem beach and park. As a strict safety rule, avoid all beaches after sundown anywhere in Brazil.

I was very recently living and working in Rio and São Paulo for 3 months last year. I have been going to 5 major cities in Brazil semi-regularly for the past decade. During my last stay, every person that I knew well in Brazil — locals, expats, clients, employees, store owners, waitresses, garotos. sauna employees, gogo boys, escorts — almost to a person warned me about exercising extreme caution due to recent marked increased crime and violence. Many of these people are those whose opinions I value and trust there, and some of them (especially the garotos) are not exactly delicate flowers who are sheltered in the tony upscale neighborhoods of Leblon or Ipanema. So, caution should not exactly be thrown to the wind. The STEP notifications seems to be culled from recent events and reports. Corcovado trails, Recife public buses. ATM machines, favela areas and favela-like comunidades, and border areas are all singled out in the notice.

The STEP notification I received did not discuss Metro subways at all. Although it used “public transportation” as a general heading, the main body of the warning focused on public buses in Brazil, and especially singled out the dangers of buses in Recife. Public TransportationCrime statistics and trends indicate that persons face an elevated risk of robbery or assault using public bus systems throughout Brazil. Consider avoiding the use of public, municipal buses in Brazil at any time of day, and especially at night. The U.S. Government recommends against personnel using public, municipal buses in all parts of Brazil, and prohibits personnel from using public buses in and around Recife. It also specifically warned of walking or hiking the mountainous trail of Corcovado (Christ statue) — which just recently had a very high-profile crime / mass robbery incident involving large groups of international tourists.

I agree with almost everything you said — especially the part about tubes and Fox News. However, to be fair, if one is only going to Rio during Carnaval every year, that is a time of the year like no other (except Reveillon), where the police presence is all over the streets, especially in the well-traveled tourist areas. Gauging the safety of Rio in totality by comparing annual visits to Carnaval misses the point of OP’s post. Also, Brazil is much more than just Rio. The STEP warning I received was unusually thorough and detailed about particular areas in the country, including but not limited to Rio.

I just received the same or similar email. Mine is from the STEP program of the US Department of State, which I signed up for in every country I visit semi-regularly a few years ago. Perhaps you did too, but forgot? I have received STEP advisory warnings and notices about Brazil before, but they are usually due to a military issue or political demonstration that US citizens need to avoid. This is the most extreme and detailed one I’ve ever gotten in 10 years. It was mostly a stern and specific warning about crime and violence in very specified areas of Brazil.

Again, for clarification: There are two beaches and two beach-side neighborhoods in the Barra section of Salvador. Praia do Porto da Barra is the name of the beach on the port (“porto”) side of Barra, that runs north and south, parallel to Av. Sete de Setembro. It is marked by the two prominent historic forts that the beach area sits between. The area in Barra around this beachside and along this street may often be referred to Porto da Barra. Praia do Farol da Barra is the name of the beach on the lighthouse (“farol”) side, that runs east and west, runs parallel to Av. Oceânica. It is marked by the lighthouse on the east end / corner and keeps running west of it until the hill with the small Christ statue. The area in Barra around this beachside and along this street may often be referred to Farol da Barra. When thinking of a capital L, Porto da Barra is the vertical part, the lighthouse is the converging point, and Farol da Barra is the horizontal part. There is no beach in Salvador only called “Praia da Barra”. I don’t want new people to get confused when booking or trying to communicate. For the purposes of this group, the Praia do Porto da Barra beach is the most dense, is the most crowded, and towards its most northern end, is more “gay”.

I’ll correct you slightly. Porto da Barra and its related Praia are on the Av. Sete de Setembro side going north and south. It connects at the bottom to Farol da Barra (lighthouse) at the corner, and the Farol area and its related Praia runs east-west on Av. Oceânica. Two different beaches and two different areas, but both have lots of restaurants and bars (Farol da Barra area has more). It’s a matter of preference but I like the Porto side better.

Just to be clear, the Rodavaria station is the closest station to Pituba and Sauna Fox And that’s about a 20 minute walk. In no traffic (HA!), you can almost drive from Clube 11 to Fox in 20 minutes. Yrs, the Campo de Polvora station is about a 2-4 minute walk to Clube 11, no biggie at all. But the whole station to station, door to door trip from both saunas by subway is about 45 minutes. In light traffic, that could be double the time of an Uber or cab. If you’re in a rush, that matters. If you don’t mind braving a brisk city walk and have the time, it’s very suitable. By bus, from point to point it’s maybe a little less than an hour. That’s just way too much valuable time for me on a short trip, but for an extended stay, I don’t mind taking those long rides. But as with everything, your miles (and budget) may vary.

Another suggestion that would solve that problem: Get a virtual phone number in Brazil (or whatever country you travel to a lot). Like a Google Voice number, it is a unique number with the Brazil country code and area code, so local Brazilians can call without incurring any long distance charges. However, the phone number rings to whatever number you assign it to ring to: your cell phone, your domestic home phone, wherever. I use my VPN for local business while I am there, and those locals an keep communicating with me by phone no matter where I am. if they also use WhatsApp, I simply provide them my main number to call or text me on that one. VPNs run in cost anywhere from $1 USD to $10 annually, and will rebill automatically if you want so you can just forget about it and keep the number forever. I have VPNs for several countries that I travel to often.

As far as I know, Sunday is best, then followed by Saturday and Friday. The rest of the days of the week I am unsure but it’s probably moderate activity. I can confirm next month.

I now use it too. It’s called the T-Mobile One Plus Plan with the Internstional Add-On. Plus with the international add-on, you get calls from North America to international countries at deep discounted per-minute rates, some countries as low as .06 a minute. I also highly recommend it. Before that, for years I used AT&T, which now has an international unlimited data and calling add-on (your phone will behave and bill as if you were still in the USA) for only $10 each day you use data or cellular while abroad. That’s not a bad deal at all if your trips are short, like a few days a month. But for me, with so many extended trips, the T-Mobile add on is the way to go.

— You missed one of Clube 11/Planetario’s best days by one day. Wednesday, Friday and possibly Saturday are the days to go to Clube 11. Thursday is considered a slower day. If there were many more garotos there than clients, then for me, that would be jackpot (assuming there were enough boys there that were my type). I don’t get why that in and of itself would be a problem, but to each his own. — Re: Metro in Salvador. The subway system is really new (I believe it opened in 2014) and only runs on 2 lines — neither of which are very close to Barra or the southern or southwest tips of the city near the popular beaches like Barra. On the train, it would take longer to get from sauna to sauna than just taking an Uber or can. You can take a bus if you know the city (it’s actually not that bad if you’re used to buses in places like NYC or Chicago), but that will take a little longer than a car, of course. It depends on how much time you’re trying to save. Most people on vacation usually want to get where they’re going fairly quickly — unfortunately, Salvador ain’t never been that kind of party. — Consider getting a phone plan that allows you to use cellular data for cheap or preferably, unlimited, when traveling internationally. Wi-Fi is not going to be as plentiful there as it is in São Paulo or Rio. — The beaches along Barra should be amazing, especially Praia Porto da Barra. Visit Pelhourinho, particularly the square where the slave auctions occurred and the salves were whipped publicly (this the name in Portuguese), as well as many other historic monuments there. If you’re still there on Tuesday night, the historic weekly party in front of the church after feeding the poor is a must-do. There’s two non playboy saunas that you can hit if you’re interested, Rios and Paradise. If you’re a clubber, there’s a gay disco in Rio Vermelho that is best on Fridays and Saturdays called San Sebastián. Try the moquecos, which are unlike any other.