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I like staying in Chapinero--but other friends like fancier neighborhoods. One should be aware that staying in Chapinero the weekends near the clubs can be quite noisy. I love to have a good time but when I want to sleep--I want to sleep. In general up the hill in Chapinero will be quieter but still within walking distance of the clubs. 

It's a challenge some times--but in the end people actually care less than you think they do. As gay men without family ties we have a lot more freedom to travel than a lot of our straight co-workers. A number of them live vicariously through our travels--hence the questions.
I'll admit it would be hard to say month after month I'm going back to Thailand or Brazil(weren't you just there last month?"),  but at the end of your life when your co-workers are nowhere to be found it's important you pursued the things that made your life happy and not lived your life for them.  I'm fortunate in the case of Brazil I practice a sport (kitesurfing) that has world class conditions on the northeast coast so I have a good reason to go there frequently. I always include a stop in Rio or Sao Paulo for a few days "to break up the trip."
In the end you'll find your own way to answer(or deflect) their questions but you should pursue your life without guilt or shame and enjoy!

I'm not sure how fancy a hotel you are looking for but I recommend the Hotel Massis. It used to call itself the Massis 5 Star which was laughable but it is a solid 3-4star. Clean, quiet and well located just off Paulista and easy walking distance to Lagoa.

I am in Medellin now. I got an airbnb and have no problem hosting guys. I don’t have a reception or guard. I am careful and lock up things but honestly none of the guys I’ve met seemed the least bit threatening. Lots of hot choices online. 
 
Since you are probably the guy’s only client for the day they are more willing to cum and not charge extra like in the saunas in Brazil.
i agree with @floridarob about the food choices. In general food more varied and higher quality than Rio. 
 
I really enjoy Medellin. If it had a beach it would be perfect!

I am in Medellin now. I got an airbnb and have no problem hosting guys. I don’t have a reception or guard. I am careful and lock up things but honestly none of the guys I’ve met seemed the least bit threatening. Lots of hot choices online. 
 
Since you are probably the guy’s only client for the day they are more willing to cum and not charge extra like in the saunas in Brazil.
i agree with @floridarob about the food choices. In general food more varied and higher quality than Rio. 
 
I really enjoy Medellin. If it had a beach it would be perfect!

Hello there! Nice to hear you’ve been enjoying Medellin! I’ll be there on Friday for a week. Still undecided between a hotel or Airbnb. I’ve been there before and done both. Any particular hotel you might recommend that isn’t too much a hassle with guests? Would love to meet up for a drink or a meal if you’re going to be around next week at all!

Frequently the owner's son is working at reception. I was there recently multiple times over Carnival and didn't have any issues. They are generally pretty good about letting you review your charges. I find that at 117 they generally present you with a total amount--followed by an eye roll or look of frustration if you ask to see the breakdown. As I mentioned in another thread I was over charged 3/3 nights at Lagoa in SP--so always review your bill!

Frequently the owner's son is working at reception. I was there recently multiple times over Carnival and didn't have any issues. They are generally pretty good about letting you review your charges. I find that at 117 they generally present you with a total amount--followed by an eye roll or look of frustration if you ask to see the breakdown. As I mentioned in another thread I was over charged 3/3 nights at Lagoa in SP--so always review your bill!

Of course but I find that in Thailand they try to move the needle toward boyfriend sooner to see if you bite when the buffalo dies or someone is in the hospital or...

Of course but I find that in Thailand they try to move the needle toward boyfriend sooner to see if you bite when the buffalo dies or someone is in the hospital or...

Of course but I find that in Thailand they try to move the needle toward boyfriend sooner to see if you bite when the buffalo dies or someone is in the hospital or...

Of course but I find that in Thailand they try to move the needle toward boyfriend sooner to see if you bite when the buffalo dies or someone is in the hospital or...

I think it’s somewhat telling that in Brazil the guys will refer to you as their client or customer but in Thailand they are quick to call you their “boyfriend “

I'm in Rio, a programa costs $30-40 usd (1000-1400thb)....I met this one guy that I REALLY like, no off fees, no overpriced drinks...once you make the connection in the sauna and you have his number, no mamasan no drama of friends motobike keys, sick family, dead animals on the farm, no "up to you"....and did I  mention frigging incredible sex 😆

Yeah if you follow that channel on Instagram you will see one incident after another--enough to make you rethink ever visiting Rio again! That being said I've probably been 20 times never had an issue. I know people always say to "be careful" or "stay alert, " but when a group or individual decides to target you there is not much you can do except cooperate and hope you don't get hurt in the process.
I have always wondered why these sorts of incidents would be almost unheard of in Bangkok or most Asian cities bust seem so common in Rio and South America. Both places have poor people and a sharp divide between the haves and have nots.

I've been here at least 75+ times, lived here in 2004.....and after the trio I had tonight, would risk it all to come back, lol

Took your advice and glad I did! Thanks! 

One observation from my recent Brazil trip--the beard epidemic continues!. I would guess that maybe 90% of the guys walking in the gay area in Sao Paulo are sporting some kind of beard. It's not really my thing . This trend seems to have started a few years ago and continues to grow in popularity. I still was able to meet non bearded guys in the saunas but also a trend the amongst the guys there as well. As a side note--not so many beards in Colombia but more than a few years ago.

One observation from my recent Brazil trip--the beard epidemic continues!. I would guess that maybe 90% of the guys walking in the gay area in Sao Paulo are sporting some kind of beard. It's not really my thing . This trend seems to have started a few years ago and continues to grow in popularity. I still was able to meet non bearded guys in the saunas but also a trend the amongst the guys there as well. As a side note--not so many beards in Colombia but more than a few years ago.

One observation from my recent Brazil trip--the beard epidemic continues!. I would guess that maybe 90% of the guys walking in the gay area in Sao Paulo are sporting some kind of beard. It's not really my thing . This trend seems to have started a few years ago and continues to grow in popularity. I still was able to meet non bearded guys in the saunas but also a trend the amongst the guys there as well. As a side note--not so many beards in Colombia but more than a few years ago.

One observation from my recent Brazil trip--the beard epidemic continues!. I would guess that maybe 90% of the guys walking in the gay area in Sao Paulo are sporting some kind of beard. It's not really my thing . This trend seems to have started a few years ago and continues to grow in popularity. I still was able to meet non bearded guys in the saunas but also a trend the amongst the guys there as well. As a side note--not so many beards in Colombia but more than a few years ago.

one of the real advantages of Rio is that you almost always see hot guys with their shirts off walking on the street--never in Thailand--unless you are in a GoGo bar and then you have the annoying Mamasan to deal with!
 

one of the real advantages of Rio is that you almost always see hot guys with their shirts off walking on the street--never in Thailand--unless you are in a GoGo bar and then you have the annoying Mamasan to deal with!
 

one of the real advantages of Rio is that you almost always see hot guys with their shirts off walking on the street--never in Thailand--unless you are in a GoGo bar and then you have the annoying Mamasan to deal with!
 

I'm not sure how fancy a hotel you are looking for but I recommend the Hotel Massis. It used to call itself the Massis 5 Star which was laughable but it is a solid 3-4star. Clean, quiet and well located just off Paulista and easy walking distance to Lagoa.