Latin America Men and Destinations

Gay and Gay Friendly Florianópolis Hotels Quinta das Videiras | Rua Afonso Luiz Borba 113 | (48) 3232-3005 | http://www.quintadasvideiras.com.br/ Sexy and sophisticated, this mansion-turned hotel is a welcome boutique addition to the hotel scene in Floripa and our top pick. A lot of the original details have been retained, combined with modern amenities like BOSE sound systems in the rooms and high-end linens.

Gay and Gay Friendly Florianópolis Hotels Casa da Lagoa | Servidao Palmeiras Nativas 500 | (48) 3269-9569 | http://casalagoa.com.br/florianopolis/in-english/ This is a cute little place in the Lagoa area, which is hip enough not to ever need to go into the city center, which can get tricky at night. There's wifi in the garden as well as the rooms but there are only four of them, so book in advance.

Gay and Gay Friendly Florianópolis Hotels Hotel Daifa | Rua Professora Maria Julia Franco 294 | (48) 3225-8300 | http://www.hoteldaifa.com.br/index2.php From the gorgeous views on the rooftop pool deck, you'd have a hard time believing you're right in the center of town. But not all rooms have a sea view, so make sure to enquire when booking. The rooms could use some updating, but they have AC and the Special Suite has a corner Jacuzzi with one hell of a view.

I like to read reports that members post about their travels. Tomcal has done Rio and Brazil due honors, and it would be folly to try to imitate him. Likewise with Oz. Just take notice of his posting today about taking the train to Cambodia! Others too offer good reports. I just don't feel up to the competition. So my trip to Rio last week would start by thanking tomcal and lurkerspeaks for encouraging me to use rioapartmentrentals.com. They put my husband and I into a good 2BR apartment with an ocean view (Okay, you had to stick your head out the window to see it) in an area above the Copacabana Palace and a ten minute walk to Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station. There was …

As of today, the conversion is $1 USD = $2.3895 Brazilian Real. Are we going to make it to the $1 = $2.5 Reals??

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels 1 Bristol Dobly Brasil 500 | Av. Desembargador Motta, 1499 | 41 3021-1500 | http://www.bristolhoteis.com.br/br/hotel/apresentacao.aspx?NumHotel=1 This hotel in the Batel neighborhood, which although is not the Centro gayborhood is close to 24 Hours Street and shopping. It has free wifi, a legit sauna, gym, and a rooftop pool with one hell of a view. 2 Ambassador Residence Hotel | Av. Visconde do Rio Branco, 1338 | 41 3219-1800 | http://www.ambassadorhotel.com.br/ While it's not the swankiest hotel on our list, it does get points for mini-kitchens in the room and a clean, bright indoor pool area. It's also close to one of the cr…

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Passeio Publico While this is a legit cruising area, it's not so much a sex area; first of all, there are tons of families around, which could understandably get awkward, and the general vibe is just plain more flirty that fuck-me. But it's perfectly normal to go off to other spots with whomever catches your fancy here

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Praça Osório This town square is a landmark and meeting point in town, but it's the bathroom in the square where you'll want to turn your amorous attention. It may seem a little exposed to those less brave among us, but there are often markets and fairs in the square that provide relatively decent cover to get your cruise on.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Bosque do Papa | Rua Euclides Bandeira These woods behind the Civic Center offer trails for walking and bathrooms for cruising, found behind the gift shop. It's surprisingly packed with cruisers, but only during the week.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Rodoferroviária de Curitiba | Avenida Presidente Affonso Camargo Another popular cruising area, note that this is also the bus terminal, so not everyone is looking for the kind of good time you're willing to give them. Most of the action happens in or near the bathrooms.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Dragon Video Box | Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 475 | 41 3225-1496 | http://www.dragoncwb.com.br As you've come to expect, this video store doesn't just sell DVDs. Check their events calendar for news of underwear parties, businessmen's specials, and VIP events for subscribers only.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Businesses & Organizations Parque Barigui The prime cruising spot in town, this lush park has enough foliage that you can find a private spot almost anywhere. Those of you who like the beauty of youth will want to go later in the day; if married men are your thing, head there in the mornings.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Cantina do Delio | Rua Itupava, 1094 | 4130780010 | http://www.cantinadodelio.com.br/ Yes, we're adding another Italian to the list – and that's because it's great. Cantina do Delio is the kind of place where you'd expect to see somebody's nonna in the kitchen stirring the sauce; it's authentic in a different, and ultimately more comforting way than Barolo, with traditional dishes that will have you pining away for Il Bel Paese.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Café Mafalda | Rua Tibagi 75 | 41 3079-1623 | https://www.facebook.com/CafeMafalda This charming place with great outdoor seating has a heavy lesbian fan base, but delicous food knows no gender, darlings. Try the ham in orange sauce, and wash it down with one of their fun cocktails.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Batel Grill Churrascaria | Avenida Nossa Senhora Aparecida, 78 | 41 3342-8101 | http://batelgrill.com.br/ Batel Grill has some serious Churrascaria action at great prices; they also have good main courses besides, in case you're with non-meat-eaters. Their wine list is extensive and impressive, and give a look at their dessert table before sitting down to eat in case you decide you want to leave some room.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Barolo | Av. Silva Jardim, 2487 | 41 3243 3430 | http://www.barolotrattoria.com.br/ With exposed brick walls and dark wood furnishings, this place would be more at home in Chelsea than Curitiba, and the food does not disappoint – it's arguably the best Italian place in town. This being Brazil, the menu is heavy on the meat, but they have a mix-and-match pasta and sauce menu that ensures you create the perfect meal.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Café do Teatro | Rua Amintas de Barros 154 | 41 3233-3920 | http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caf%C3%A9-do-Teatro/198717876835181 Café do Teatro is one of those places where everybody meets up – for a chat, a drink, a meal, whatever your pleasure. If you want to get a feel for what the evening is going to be like in town, head here and check out the scene. And it's a great place to chat with friendly (mostly gay) locals anytime of day.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Bistrot do David | Av. Nossa Senhora da Luz, 1525 | http://bistrotdodavid.com.br/ French cuisine is the inspiration for and influence on the menu here, with Gallic classics in hearty portions served in a lively atmosphere. If you're tiring of meat, their seafood dishes are great. Best with a group, but friendly enough to eat solo.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Caruso | Rua Visconde do Rio Branco, 877 | 41 3029-5411 | https://www.facebook.com/carusoempadas This is going to be your lunchtime spot. Caruso is a cute, casual space that serves up authentic, down-home Brazilian fare. Get the Feijoada, a traditional rice and sausage dish that will knock your socks off.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Café do Paço | Praça Generoso Marques, 189 | 41 3234.4210 Enjoy coffee and snacks at this gay-friendly cafe, which has soaring ceilings and a perfectly restored Art Deco exterior. Weekends are especially fabulous, if you catch our drift; Saturday nights feature live music.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Restaurants Badida | Av. Sete de Setembro, 6045 | (41) 3243-0473 | http://www.churrascariabadida.com.br/ Churrascaria is the name of the game here. But it's possible to have a more “balanced” meal here, as they take just as much care with their starts and desserts as they do with their expertly grilled meats. And it's in an elegant room with formal touches and plenty of AC, so you can cool off and have a grown-up meal!

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Saunas Thermas Saldanha | Rua Saldanha Marinho, 214 | 41 3014-0066 | http://www.termasaldanha.com.br/ This sauna has everything you'd expect, plus has the nighttime scene you have come to expect in other places but doesn't really seem to be the norm in Curitiba. There are theme nights and video karaoke, as well as some drag and stripper action as well.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Saunas Sauna Opinião | Rua Amintas de Barros, 749 | 41 3262 1982 | http://ww2.saunaopiniao.com.br/ (doesn't work) We're including this here in the interest of being thorough, but this should be last on your list. The lighting is harsh, it has way too much of an open plan, it can get cold in the winter months, and the scene there is hit-and-miss.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Saunas Sauna Batel Curitiba | R Teixeira Coelho, 54 | 41 3244-4251 | no website An older clientele comes here, which draws younger lads as well – although note that this is billed as a hetero sauna as well, so just keep an eye out before approaching. That being said, a metric ton of action goes down here, between the dark room and the private cabins and the steam room and the bar... you get the idea. Let's just say the sauna isn't the only hot spot in this place.

Curitiba Gay and Gay Friendly Saunas Sauna Caracala | Rua Alferes Poli, 1039 | 41 3333-6766 | no website There is no rent boy scene here to speak of, but the facilities include a cinema room, a dark room, and private rooms. You'll find all ages here, but like we said, no rent boys.