Scott

I'm new on here and am reading the posts and finding the history of Brazil quite accurate to what I have been informed.   - I thought I would post some thoughts that I had on a trip to Recife.   Essentially, for 25 years I went to only Rio, and then in mid-2015-2020 I went to Sao Paulo quite a bit.  Finally, I moved here and while still finding Portuguese quite a tough language, I don't see much I don't agree with totally on most of these posts.  As far as rent boy saunas, Boa Vista was the place I went to. I went to the other Blue sauna and was pretty disappointed.   I met a "guide" if you will and enjoyed his company quite a bit.  He picked me out as someone from Sao Paulo don't like to haggle over prices, but I will say it's a Middle Eastern bizarre, like buying a carpet in Turkey as strange as that comparison sounds it is closer to the truth than you would want to think!  Brazilians seem to love to haggle about anything really, so depending on your tolerance for that you should try to get used to it.  As always the fear of having no problem with walking away (you are the customer after all tends to finally get the price down to earth again) will do wonders.    I do find a lot of them will sway "let's go" (about the only words they know in English.)  I have an apple pre-prepared note saying, I live here buddy, I would never just "let's go" without getting a very clear idea of the price, do you think I am crazy? This has kept me from having conflicts and having to get management involved.  Not to scare anyone, but the "Let's go" is great for the GP boy.  In the end, they can theoretically say 1,000 reals and that would be a low price in the USA and they darn well know it.  Never happened to me, but the prices are increasing I am finding.  The huge under/unemployment makes cities like Sao Paulo full of quite desperate guys, and they will do anything to increase an already agreed-upon price by $50R.  Getting back to Recife, even if they inflate 100 quite a bit, you will end up paying a lot less than in sao paulo, and it is unlikely you will be competing against a bunch of gringos who don't have a clue what the price is.   I was only going to stay in Recife for a few days, to do some networking/business but extended it to 10, so you could say I found it a breath of fresh air.  The "straight" guys treat me a lot better and are certainly much more down-to-earth than the guys in Sao Paulo at Lagoa.   The boys in Recife are much more down to earth and yes, I do think they are considerably more polite and caring.  The lack of a huge number of tourists I think accounts for this.  I didn't see another American tourist for my entire trip there-what a breath of fresh air that was!  I will also say, if you can find someone who knows a bunch of "straight" guys who never go to Boa Vista or any other gay sauna, you have struck gold.  These guys are some of the most amazing guys I have met in 25 years of trips to Brazil.  SUNDAY WAS THE BIG NIGHT IN BOA the 2 weekends I was there, it was pretty empty by comparison to the other nights it was open.    There are many beautiful spots to explore, day trips to exotic beaches, the castle, and the ordinary beaches in the tourist area are quite beautiful and pretty unspoiled.  I am going to try to explore some other smaller cities as well, and the posting on here make me feel I will have a solid map on where to head to.  Many thanks to all who have posted the interesting and informative articles here.

If you mean my perspective, I am a gay male 100% and not ashamed to say I like to be dominated and bottom.  I also have a lot of education and some publications in high-impact peer-reviewed scientific journals (God, that sounds arrogant- sorry).   That said, there are guys in Brazil who think that since they have not turned HIV+ by "topping" and making a 90-day supply of PREP in the last 6 months, that is all well and good.  And maybe that is the case, but my one all-caps word above was ADHERENCE, which a 50% dose is absolutely not.  This is why I take to prep, make little baggies of what I need for a chronic back degenerative disc disease and PREP prevention for HIV as well as doxycycline 100 mg/day to "help" with syphilis prophylaxis.  I would prefer to bareback.  So that's where I am coming from.  Everyone has their own risk tolerance, but I know I will not be transmitting HIV to anyone with my ADHERENCE strategy.  Is that what you meant by where I am coming from?  I should probably not have even menionterd sex with women, which your 2 links seem to focus on.

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I head Lagoa is quite good on "some" Thursdays.  Really, things like rain are enough to make it go from best to good.  Brazilians are terrified of rain and any temperatures below 70 degrees.  They don't leave their homes on those kind of days-really.  For someone who lived in Manhattan for 10 years, I find it comical.

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I head Lagoa is quite good on "some" Thursdays.  Really, things like rain are enough to make it go from best to good.  Brazilians are terrified of rain and any temperatures below 70 degrees.  They don't leave their homes on those kind of days-really.  For someone who lived in Manhattan for 10 years, I find it comical.

I head Lagoa is quite good on "some" Thursdays.  Really, things like rain are enough to make it go from best to good.  Brazilians are terrified of rain and any temperatures below 70 degrees.  They don't leave their homes on those kind of days-really.  For someone who lived in Manhattan for 10 years, I find it comical.

I head Lagoa is quite good on "some" Thursdays.  Really, things like rain are enough to make it go from best to good.  Brazilians are terrified of rain and any temperatures below 70 degrees.  They don't leave their homes on those kind of days-really.  For someone who lived in Manhattan for 10 years, I find it comical.

Back when I was in SP and Rio, I used this picture/calendar. I’m very grateful to whoever created it, even though I know it’s not recent.
If you are the author  I will definitely credit you 👌
Anyway, this is quite accurate. In fact, this is how I managed to visit both 117 and 202. 

Me too, but I might have a different reason. 🤤

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

I live in Sao Paulo.  For 3 years.  200-250 with 300-400 with milk is common.  NOT for Brazilians.  They love to barter-I mean they enjoy bartering with each other (Clients and customers) so move those figures down by 30-50% if you are a native Portuguese speaker.  Otherwise, like a friend who now lives in NY but is here frequently and also born in Brazil said to me, quite bluntly (referring to how. much I paid to have a suit altered) "Are you kidding me?  Wow, you got screwed (not in the way I like either).  Then again, you'll always pay more, period."  HOWEVER, there's gringo surcharge and there outright rediculous.   I just don't think $100 US is a good price, it's an awful price especially with the real being over 6:1 R/$.  150-200 was common just post-pandemic but things have increased a bit.  But the Brazilians HATE us going to Lagoa and inflating the prices.  

At Thermas it really varies, though the majority will be larger than average with a few being genuinely huge and some being more around average. 

With your writing style of leaving half the letters out of words, you can't figure out a mistype.....🧐

Cumming 

"Note 2 self: in future, make a screenshot of the translator agreement."  That is such a good idea, I have thought of it in the past.  WHen it degrades to that point, it really is a bitter experience.  They hear English, or God forbit see a +1 number (*telling them you are from Canada helps a little versus USA) and the price triples!
 

I didn't address directly how I like Sao Paulo.  Portuguese is a difficult language to learn, which is challenging.  That said, I like it a lot.   When I get irritated with stupid bureaucracy here, I go out and walk a few blocks and see these amazing-looking guys in my neighborhood and I say, well, not all bad!
 
As far as finding a bi-sexual (they like to call themselves "brothergem" (I am straight but I'll top you for money-I don't know how many of them are really that 100% straight...LOL) guy to show you around (yes I met him at Boa Vista sauna) with some guys that don't go to the sauna since Recife is such a small town compared to a lot of other large Brazilian cities like I said you can try to walk on the beach, I am on a beach person so I just kind of got lucky. If you need more tips I can talk to you on WhatsApp if you PM me to see if my buddy would be a good match for your tastes.  ENJOY!

Last year I visited the states 4 times which I think was a bit much, each for around 2 weeks.  I moved here because they have a very good permanent resident vehicle which is the VITEM XIV retirement visa.  It's quite easy to get, there is a visa handler in Houston that has fast service at the consulate there, and things just sort of worked out.  There is a large alumni community here from the school I attended in New York City which is extremely active-many events in English.  But yes, I moved here for the boys. 
I stayed here wanting a change of pace, living in a foreign country for the first time, and the legality of sex work as well as the relatively very inexpensive cost of living, Sao Paulo I believe is the most expensive city in Brazil to live in.  I stayed for the other reasons outlined.  
 
As far as the visa goes, anyone can PM me for a recommendation of a great handler and I would very much suggest getting him.  He knows what will fly and what will not.  I am in my 3rd year, which means my permanent residence card is most likely indefinitely renewed.  They want in the first 2 years to send US$2,000/month to a Brazilian bank and that's it.  Not a W. Europe Golden visa 1MM euros R/E  needed (then again brazil does not compare in any way to Western European countries.  In 4 years from entrance, one can get dual citizenship with the USA, and that opens up pretty easy portugual access which is of course EU, sort of a side door if in the future you want an EU passport.     Not everyone has liquid or even at all 1MM euros at close hand.  On the other hand, an expense I have been very pleased with is finding an attorney to help me negotiate leases and handle RNM (permanent resident card) renewals, etc.  That only happened in October of last year putting him on retainer.  it takes a while for people to open up an give you the not 100 (or 100%) gringo surcharge, but it happens.  Anyone who wants to know more can PM me here.  I love this site!   Scott

I just perused their website.   Prices are up to 3 x's or more rates I saw in Skokka website.....

I didn't address directly how I like Sao Paulo.  Portuguese is a difficult language to learn, which is challenging.  That said, I like it a lot.   When I get irritated with stupid bureaucracy here, I go out and walk a few blocks and see these amazing-looking guys in my neighborhood and I say, well, not all bad!
 
As far as finding a bi-sexual (they like to call themselves "brothergem" (I am straight but I'll top you for money-I don't know how many of them are really that 100% straight...LOL) guy to show you around (yes I met him at Boa Vista sauna) with some guys that don't go to the sauna since Recife is such a small town compared to a lot of other large Brazilian cities like I said you can try to walk on the beach, I am on a beach person so I just kind of got lucky. If you need more tips I can talk to you on WhatsApp if you PM me to see if my buddy would be a good match for your tastes.  ENJOY!

Last year I visited the states 4 times which I think was a bit much, each for around 2 weeks.  I moved here because they have a very good permanent resident vehicle which is the VITEM XIV retirement visa.  It's quite easy to get, there is a visa handler in Houston that has fast service at the consulate there, and things just sort of worked out.  There is a large alumni community here from the school I attended in New York City which is extremely active-many events in English.  But yes, I moved here for the boys. 
I stayed here wanting a change of pace, living in a foreign country for the first time, and the legality of sex work as well as the relatively very inexpensive cost of living, Sao Paulo I believe is the most expensive city in Brazil to live in.  I stayed for the other reasons outlined.  
 
As far as the visa goes, anyone can PM me for a recommendation of a great handler and I would very much suggest getting him.  He knows what will fly and what will not.  I am in my 3rd year, which means my permanent residence card is most likely indefinitely renewed.  They want in the first 2 years to send US$2,000/month to a Brazilian bank and that's it.  Not a W. Europe Golden visa 1MM euros R/E  needed (then again brazil does not compare in any way to Western European countries.  In 4 years from entrance, one can get dual citizenship with the USA, and that opens up pretty easy portugual access which is of course EU, sort of a side door if in the future you want an EU passport.     Not everyone has liquid or even at all 1MM euros at close hand.  On the other hand, an expense I have been very pleased with is finding an attorney to help me negotiate leases and handle RNM (permanent resident card) renewals, etc.  That only happened in October of last year putting him on retainer.  it takes a while for people to open up an give you the not 100 (or 100%) gringo surcharge, but it happens.  Anyone who wants to know more can PM me here.  I love this site!   Scott

Yes ShivRoy, that was an amazing share, thank you so much.