Heading for Rio - September 27>October 6. 2025

[Mavica]

I've pulled the trigger on a decent airfare from Tampa, FL to Rio de Janeiro, arriving September 27, leaving October 6.  It's been a while since my last visit.  🙂 I haven't booked a room yet but it'll likely to be in Flamengo or Catete. Anyone around then, maybe we can meet.  Otherwise, anything I should know that hasn't already been posted on this forum (visa issues?), I'll appreciate a heads-up.  Thank you. 

[floridarob]

I leave SP on the 25th to Boston...almost 🤷‍♂️

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

I leave SP on the 25th to Boston...almost 🤷‍♂️

I'm flying COPA, for the first time.  Anything out of the ordinary I should know?  Thanks.

[floridarob]

Business or Economy?
Copa runs an all-737 fleet. In Business Class, it’s 2x2 lie-flat seating; in Economy, it’s the usual 3x3, which can get uncomfortable on longer flights. Service is generally punctual (weather permitting). Meals are basic in both cabins — nothing to rave about — but they do serve guayaba-pineapple juice, which I like a lot.

The crews are usually young, professional, and friendly. You’ll probably be one of the few gringos onboard.

Flights to Southern South America often arrive and depart at odd hours, so plan ahead with hotel check-ins and check-outs. I’m heading to Argentina on Copa this Tuesday in Business; if you buy early, their fares are usually very reasonable.

Connections in Panama (PTY):
Panama is an easy hub to connect through, but if you arrive in one terminal and depart from the other, be ready for a long walk. Hopefully your gates are close.

Lounge & Airport Notes:
The Copa Club is large, with free drinks, but the food options are weak — mostly bread, not much protein. PTY has plenty of duty-free shops, and if you’re buying cologne, try negotiating; sometimes they’ll “remember” a promotion.

Also, PTY has a lot of hot passengers passing through — soccer teams, gymnastics teams, etc. — so plenty of eye candy if you like people-watching.

For check-in and Brazil immigration don’t forget to print out two copies of your visa, one Brasil immigration supposed to keep the other is for you.

Did I leave anything out?

[Mavica]

34 minutes ago, floridarob said:

Did I leave anything out?

Thank you for the responses. You didn't leave anything out.

[Xclay]

7 hours ago, floridarob said:

Copa runs an all-737 fleet. In Business Class, it’s 2x2 lie-flat seating.

Good Copa summary, but...
I've never been so lucky as to get lie-flat seating on Copa and, without it, the slight recline on a red-eye make the value of business class questionable. 

Yes, all of Copa's 737-MAX 9 (“Dreams” Business Class) planes do have lie-flat seats.

However, Copa's 737-800 aircraft only have poor recliners in business class. Copa's 737-MAX 8 planes are better than the 737-800s, but its BC seats do not lie-flat either.

According to ChatGPT, Copa is usually using MAX-9 on its flights to Rio (GIG); São Paulo (GRU); and Florianópolis (FLN).

No evidence of MAX-9 deployment on Copa's flights to Belo Horizonte (CNF); Brasília (BSB); Manaus (MAO); and Porto Alegre (POA).

[floridarob]

Their seatmap online will show if that flight has eDreams seats in Business or not

[chicobalto]

I'll be there september 25 to october 1st

First time ever in Río. Didnt booked a place neither 😂 but let's see how it turns out

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, chicobalto said:

I'll be there september 25 to october 1st

First time ever in Río. Didnt booked a place neither 😂 but let's see how it turns out

Let's keep in touch before heading to Rio, maybe we can meet up.

[Mavica]

So, after booking my flight and an apartment in Catete (on the circle before reaching the Gloria Metro station), I went online to get my Brazil Tourist eVisa.  It hasn't been easy.  Long story short, the website rejected my passport-like .jpeg image and the .jpeg of my passport information page several times because of pixels (taken with my Samsung Galaxy 24s cell). In addition to the US$80.90 eVisa fee I've had to pay an additional US$20 for a passport photo, less than US$1 for a good color copy of the passport page and US$35 to send them both to NYC via FedEx overnight. There was no objection to my airline itinerary .jpeg. Hopefully, the new images will pass muster.

[Mavica]

Before I travel, I do my best to research certain things about the destination, refresh my memory, confirm current events, etc.  Occasionally, I read the forums at Reddit, including the one for Rio de Janeiro.  Thee's a current discussion about credit card payment scams.  I'm linking it below, as an FYI for myself, and anyone else interested.

 

 

[Xclay]

Thanks. Always a good reminder to be careful and not use your credit card promiscuously abroad — especially to random vendors on the street and beach!

However, what this Reddit guy does (moving money from his bank savings every time he makes a purchase!) is overkill and a hassle that can be avoided just by not using your card on the street and beach. Reddit guy himself only had this issue with randos at the beach. Never heard of this problem at regular shops that have a register and give receipts.

Of course, many times the process is all automated. The amount on the register is the amount deducted from the card. No intervention from the cashier. 

[Mavica]

2 hours ago, Xclay said:

Thanks. Always a good reminder to be careful and not use your credit card promiscuously abroad — especially to random vendors on the street and beach!

However, what this Reddit guy does (moving money from his bank savings every time he makes a purchase!) is overkill and a hassle that can be avoided just by not using your card on the street and beach. Reddit guy himself only had this issue with randos at the beach. Never heard of this problem at regular shops that have a register and give receipts.

Of course, many times the process is all automated. The amount on the register is the amount deducted from the card. No intervention from the cashier. 

The only things I pay for by using a credit card when traveling internationally are hotels and Uber, most everything else is paid for using cash. I walk about with what I think is enough cash for the day and if I happen to be robbed it'll not be a big deal, provided I'm not physically harmed.

[Xclay]

Yes, for decades that was exactly my practice in Brazil until my last trips there last year.

I finally started using my credit card at shops and cafes in Brazil because (1) many vendors I use only accept credit cards (e.g., The Coffee) or else (2) they are shocked to get cash and embark on a time-consuming hassle (not always successful) to find change!

In contrast, the ten seconds to wave my touchless credit card makes it quick, easy, and (at proper establishments) seemingly safe.  

I do still pay in cash at the saunas!

[Latbear4blk]

I only use cash to pay the boys. Everything else is paid for CC. In 7 years of doing this intensively everywhere, not only in Brazil, I never had an issue.

My first issue was in this trip, but not with my CC but with my Debit Card. I was in Rio, but I do not know whether the scammer got my data while I was there or before, when I was in Argentina or the US. I found a debit from my checking account for almost 300 bucks, booking an hotel in Japan. I called my bank and filed a claim, they told me that it may take 90 days to solve the claim. My card was immediately invalidated and my bank sent me in 48 hours a new DC to my Airbnb.

[floridarob]

The more common scam (which some saunas used to do sometimes, apparently) is to scan your card on one reader and then “it doesn’t go through” — and they use a second reader which somehow always works. But they have your number on the first reader, and they can either sell that number or make a charge later.

[Mavica]

20 hours ago, Xclay said:

Yes, for decades that was exactly my practice in Brazil until my last trips there last year.

I finally started using my credit card at shops and cafes in Brazil because (1) many vendors I use only accept credit cards (e.g., The Coffee) or else (2) they are shocked to get cash and embark on a time-consuming hassle (not always successful) to find change!

In contrast, the ten seconds to wave my touchless credit card makes it quick, easy, and (at proper establishments) seemingly safe.  

I do still pay in cash at the saunas!

Thank you for the comments.  I'm seeing your suggestions / opinions confirmed here and in various other social media and will adjust my plan accordingly.  ✔

[Keithambrose]

23 hours ago, Mavica said:

The only things I pay for by using a credit card when traveling internationally are hotels and Uber, most everything else is paid for using cash. I walk about with what I think is enough cash for the day and if I happen to be robbed it'll not be a big deal, provided I'm not physically harmed.

Sound move. I carry less cash, but in one pocket an out of date credit card. A valid one elsewhere.  If robbed, usually the small amount of money should be enough,  and they never look at the date on the credit card, so I'm told. The reason for this is that I was told that a robber would expect a foreigner to have a credit card. Happily I've never had to try this scenario for real.

[Mavica]

23 hours ago, Latbear4blk said:

I was in Rio ...

I've just read your Pointe v. 117 report following your recent visit in Rio.  Helpful to me as I prepare for my upcoming visit.  Thank you.

Point 202 vs Clube 117: el superclásico de los saunas cariocas

[Mavica]

39 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

 I carry less cash, but in one pocket an out of date credit card. A valid one elsewhere. 

Interesting thought.

BTW, I've ordered some Reais from my bank, for the sauna expenses and some minor incidentals.  Yes, the exchange rate is not as favorable, but I'm comfortable doing it this way. I'll use a credit card for other things.

[babybear2]

On 9/6/2025 at 9:30 PM, Mavica said:

Before I travel, I do my best to research certain things about the destination, refresh my memory, confirm current events, etc.  Occasionally, I read the forums at Reddit, including the one for Rio de Janeiro.  Thee's a current discussion about credit card payment scams.  I'm linking it below, as an FYI for myself, and anyone else interested.

 

 

what ......

I do not check my bills often, I need to review my credit card transactions in Rio.

Just got back from Rio last week

Things are a bit slow end of August in 117 and 202. 

It is still very crowded in Tuesday and Wed, but not many new faces

[Mavica]

Regulars here may have seen the article I'm linking below published in May 2025 - featuring Junior Barbosa of Point 202 - but I hadn't until now. I came across it as I'm catching up on gay-related events in Rio:

Meet Júnior Barbosa - the king of Rio's gay sauna scene - Attitude

[babybear2]

5 hours ago, Mavica said:

Regulars here may have seen the article I'm linking below published in May 2025 - featuring Junior Barbosa of Point 202 - but I hadn't until now. I came across it as I'm catching up on gay-related events in Rio:

Meet Júnior Barbosa - the king of Rio's gay sauna scene - Attitude

lol, his  success story is not convincing or hides some truth.

working as GP for 2 years, his hard work paid off, and at the age of 19, he opened his first bar? Can GP make so much money in only 2 years? I bet some rich clients are behind this bar

[Latbear4blk]

10 hours ago, babybear2 said:

lol, his  success story is not convincing or hides some truth.

working as GP for 2 years, his hard work paid off, and at the age of 19, he opened his first bar? Can GP make so much money in only 2 years? I bet some rich clients are behind this bar

Yep. He has partners who prefer to remind backstage. I do not think that fact takes away any personal merit from his personal story.

[Mavica]

Ok, here goes.  I'm long-winded, so prepare yourselves!

TRIP REPORT - Rio de Janeiro 

DAY 1

GETTING THERE:

My trip to Rio started at 6 p.m. on a Friday night in Tampa from where I traveled by COPA Airlines, with a short stopover in Panama City to connect onward to Rio, arriving at 8 a.m. Saturday.  The flights were good and the 737-800 aircraft Economy section was nicer than I had anticipated.  Because in addition to the one bag I had checked I had just one small carry-on placed in the overhead; this left me ample room for my feet to stretch under the seat in front (I am 6’1” tall) in the aisle seat.  The plane was not full and the pregnant woman sitting next to me in the center seat moved to the window seat; win-win for us both.  I have to say the business-class section (no first-class) was inviting.  I am one of those travelers who still wears a mask on a full planeload.  Maybe a simple mask (not an N95) protects me somewhat, maybe not, but I had a sense of satisfaction that amongst a plane with many people coughing I had taken a precaution (and I was not the only passenger to be masked).  Soft drinks, cookies, and a small bag of tortilla chips were served mid-flight.

The airplane landed 15 minutes early in Panama City and because there were no ground / gate crew to meet us we sat for the 15-minutes waiting for the jetway to be extended for deboarding.  We landed at Terminal 2 at Tocumen International Airport which appears to be relatively new and resembles a shopping center with nice stores.  No Immigration or Customs procedures for connecting passengers.  I walked the long distance to pedestrian-congested Terminal 1 where I would depart from for the flight to Rio. In comparison to Terminal 2, Terminal 1 looks and feels ready for the wrecking ball.  The on-time departure connecting flight was also a 737-800 and was completely full; not all of the stand-bys were able to get onboard.  We were served a hot meal about an hour into the journey.  It is difficult for me to fall asleep on most long-distance flights and this time was no different.  The large-framed man in the middle seat next to me could not help but extend beyond his seat width and we bumped into one another throughout the flight. 

DAY 1 IN RIO:

The flight from Panama City arrived on-time and we were met with cool temperatures (in comparison to the Tampa Bay area).  As I was walking the long distance to Immigration / Baggage / Customs the driver of a passenger transfer vehicle took one look at me and told me to get on-board.  Maybe he mistook me for someone who had ordered the cart, but one glance at me and he thought he had the right person!  The cart had seating for five people, but I was the only one on the vehicle.  The distance to Immigration was long and I was grateful for the ride.  Arriving at Immigration I was the first foreigner in line for processing, which took all but 5 minutes.

Luggage took 30 minutes to arrive, but because I was the first off the flight to wait in that area it seemed longer for me than others.  I walked through the nothing to declare line and out into the arrivals area.  However, there is a gauntlet of Duty-Free shops you have to traverse in order to get into the Arrivals lobby and most people walking with me were as confused as I regarding how to exit.  We made it out, though, and maybe there was an easier way.

I have booked a small apartment for the stay in Rio via booking.com; several buildings to one side of Golden Park Hotel close to Metro Glória in Rio’s Catete section. R$3,472 (+/- US$650 ÷ 10 = US$65/night).

[SEE PHOTOS BELOW]

Because I have used booking.com frequently I was eligible for a rental discount and a no-cost transfer from the airport to the apartment.  The connection to the driver was seamless and convenient.  Saturday morning traffic was light.

I have made several forced errors thus far for the visit.  The latest was not booking the apartment for the night before / day of arrival.  I did do that for my last day because the flight home departs 1 a.m.  Recognizing my error, I attempted to start my rental as I should have, but I was too late.  If the apartment had been vacant when I arrived the owner/agent would have let me in early.  I was informed I could leave my luggage at a Sushi Glória situated next to the apartment building and wander about Rio until notified the apartment he apartment building is rather new and there are some final changes to complete.  My impression is that nobody lives in the building full-time, and that it is occupied as short-term rentals.  I sense presentable guests can probably accompany a STR without challenge by the person who electronically opens the lobby door; I do not intend to do that, though.

Nice apartment but all of the finishes are builder’s standard; cheap.  But there is a cooktop, small oven, microwave, coffeemaker, utensils, full-sized refrigerator, washer / dryer, TV.  No safe.  Importantly:  the wi-fi / internet / TV did not work.  I have been unable to get the owner/agent to have someone look at the problem because I have been at wits-end. 

Oh, I forgot this:  the bed mattress is rock-hard, like sleeping on concrete (no exaggeration).  I prefer firm mattresses but this is extremely hard.  I have been to Rio previously but do not remember mattresses this firm.  In Mexico, where I travel frequently, I oftentimes read reviews of hotels complaining about the too-firm beds.

[SEE PHOTOS BELOW]

Clube 117

I settled into the apartment and though I was up for 33 hours at this point I walked the relatively short distance to Clube 117.  It was early, about 5:30 p.m.  Checked-in, received my locker key and met Hicardo (Ricardo) in the locker room where he handed me two towels and a pair of flip-flops.  As I left the locker room to take a shower I was set upon by a goodlooking guy showing his big dick promoting himself.   He said he would fuck me for R$200, then dropped it to R$100 without leche, then immediately raised the price back to R$200 full service.  My impression he was 1) on speed of some sort, or 2) desperate.  I shook his cock and moved on.  I am guessing there were 20 GP on-site at that hour, but the number grew steadily.

Understandably, fresh pickings (me) had entered the premises.  As I ordered/drank a beer in the lounge area staff were setting up for a birthday party later in the evening.  I sat at the 2-top table closest to the bar and the steady stream of GPs, one as good looking as the next, introduced and promoted themselves and their prowess and opened their towels to display their wares.  Mostly well-built and defined bodies, none with huge cocks but thick ones.  Fucking machines, for certain.  I told them all I had just walked in the door and was relaxing.  No pushy behaviors, though.  Polite.  Respectful.  Asking price for each was R$200. 

My tab at 117 (excluding the R$150) was R$208:  R$99 entry; R77 for the room; some beers for me and others (I’m forgetting something). R$ equivalent of US$38.60. I had forgotten to ask about tipping the locker room attendant; I gave him R$20 because it was the smallest bill I had in my pocket.  Almost certainly too much but what the heck.  He seemed a bit surprised, but grateful. Someone please let me know what the norm is, now.  Thanks.

I left 117 at about 7:30 p.m., stopped at a grocery store down the street from the sauna on the way back to the apartment, sat on a sidewalk across from the apartment, bought and drank a large bottle of Amstel (R equiv. $3.15) and was in bed asleep by 10 p.m. 

to be continued ...