sfcastro

Which hotels do you prefer in Manila that are similar quality? What is the approximate price difference?

How much do you tip each of them, if you tip all of them?

When ordering a bottle of liquor in a bar and inviting guys to join for drinks, do they earn any commission similar to ordering them a one-off drink? If not, should you tip them more than you would if you bought them a drink? Also, what is a reasonable number of guys to ask to join for drinks without the bar management becoming upset?

I will be in Jomtien this coming week and would appreciate any restaurant recommendations. I understand there will be differing views, but looking more for quality vs inexpensive (both combined is fine). Apologies for the repeat post, but the original post with the responses was lost when the site was restored from an earlier backup. Appreciate those who responded adding their comments again as I was going to use the site as my reference and did not copy the recommendations before the site went down.

It is good for multiple trips and mine is valid for 10 years. It took 3-4 weeks of processing time before I received the e-visa so suggest applying early.

It was 2007 https://extra.globo.com/noticias/brasil/sauna-gay-de-37-anos-recebe-visita-da-policia-741071.html

Thank you for the information. Is it the same owners with a new name? Do you know if they are changing anything?

Just be sure and ask that question of the hotel and/or Airbnb host where you will be staying. You can find placed with speeds that fast, gerally up to 125mps, but I've stayed in many places where the speed is less than 10 mps. I found it useful to being an ethernet cable and adapter so I can connect directly to the routers/connection in a hotel as wifi speeds vary a lot in certain placed that I have stayed.

If you are a US citizen, you no longer need a visa to travel to Brazil. So nice not having to worry about having a valid visa any longer! https://onemileatatime.com/brazil-dropping-visa-requirements-us-citizens/

Lach Jardim Botânico, 512 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22461-000 https://www.lach.com.br/exames.html Be sure and get the Covid RT-PCR test (not the rapid test), which is the one generally needed for international travel. Cost is 350 reais for results in 48 hours and 500 reais for results in 24 hours. Prices seem to change, so use these as a general guide. Like CR-Diagnosticos in Sao Paulo, you contact them through Whatsapp for information and appointments. Note that the lab at Santos Dumont does not currently offer the RT-PCR test, just the rapid test which may not be valid for travel to the USA, so be aware if considering using that service.

Lach Jardim Botânico, 512 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22461-000 https://www.lach.com.br/exames.html Be sure and get the Covid RT-PCR test (not the rapid test), which is the one needed for international travel into the USA. Cost is 350 reais for results in 48 hours and 500 reais for results in 24 hours. Prices seem to change, so use these as a general guide. Like CR-Diagnosticos in Sao Paulo, you contact them through Whatsapp for information and appointments. Note that the lab at Santos Dumont does not currently offer the RT-PCR test, just the rapid test which is not valid for travel to the USA, so be aware if considering using that service.

I had a recent conversation with a couple of guys I know from Porto Alegre who told me the Mezzaninu is permanently closed. Apparently due to the illness of Riu, the owner. Does anyone know if this is actually true? I started going to Mezzaninu when it first opened and have always enjoyed it, especially in comparison to the Plataforma sauna, the other sauna there.

Just a heads up that as of January 26, all international travelers to the USA, including US Citizens, will need to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of your flight. There is a similar requirement for entering Brazil. In Brazil, there is testing at GRU airport in Sao Paulo in Terminal 3 with CR Diagnosticos and they advise that you arrive 6 hours prior to your flight if you are flying the same day to ensure you get your results in time. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html

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.

I will let TomCal answer the Ipanema/Farme question, but wanted to note that there are two newer gay bars open in Copacabana. Nice to have these with the closer of Leboy a few years ago. Pink Flamingo located at R. Duvivier, 21, which is close to Copacabana Palace. I've been three or fours times and liked it, but prefer it before midnight with mostly music videos vs later when the music format turned to more electronic music without vocals. Black Cat located at Av. Princesa Isabel, 21, which is a cross from the large Hilton Hotel at the edge of Copacabana/Leme. I have not been yet but it was recommended by a couple guys in Rio for me to try.