Curitiba or Porto Alegre???

[Guest Deweywop]

Brazilians sort of shrug at Curitiba as a "pleasant," "efficient," "administrative" city. Compared to the color and excitement of the northern cities, it does seem a bit bland. However, for Americans and Europeans, it's the model of a clean, well-functioning bit of urban planning, with a some charming qualities. I went to one sauna there, Termas 520. Pleasant, clean place, like a smaller version of the Lagoa in SP. Cabins there are free. There were only a few boys there, but they were awfully eager to give out free samples! I was literally dragged into a cabin by one huge, hunky guy who proceeded to devour me. I mean he practically raped me. Not that I complained most of the time, but at a few points I was worried enough to think about escaping. Funny thing was, I didn't know whether this was a hustler or just a horny patron. It wasn't until almost the end before he asked for money, at which point I was too confused and said goodbye. It was a strange situation, and perhaps I should have given him something for one wild effort, but frankly, it really wasn't my choice. Later on, I did go with another boy with beautiful brown hair, who sucked me off. Same rate as anywhere.

 

The population in the south of Brazil is very white. Curitiba was settled by Poles, Ukrainians, and Germans. There are very few blacks. A black Brazilian explained to me that blacks think it's way too cold there.

[trilingual]

Deweywop's experiences parallel mine. There are other saunas with escorts in Curitiba besides 520; you can check Netgay or Brazilian Gay Guide (links in other posts here) for addresses. Curitiba is kind of the Minneapolis of Brazil, very clean and efficient. It's the Brazilian "city that works." Not at all exotic, but it's very pleasant and you can certainly find enough to do in 2 - 3 days there. The city transit company has a circular tourist bus route for which you buy a day ticket. It takes you around to all the sights. You're allowed three or four stops with your ticket; you just get back on the next bus when it comes along (about every 1/2 hour as I recall). The new botanical gardens and the Opera de Arame theater were particularly interesting stops. There are still some interesting ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants in Curitiba. One day while there you should take the Litorina train down to the coast at Paranaguá. It's one of the world's more spectacular train rides, with magnificent scenery. The trip takes about 2 hours. There are also the usual bars/clubs. In warmer weather, the street hustler scene on and around Praæa Osório downtown is an interesting evening attraction (AYOR, of course).

 

Porto Alegre is pleasant and bland looking. However, it also has festive saunas (like Plataforma) and clubs, and you can get a taste of local gaucho culture by having a churrasco dinner at the Galpao Crioulo, if they're having a folklore show that night. The typical gaucho dances are fascinating (kind of cossack-like) and the stunts they do with the bolas are dramatic. For the AYOR crowd, the after dark cruising at the downtown Parque Farroupilha is legendary, as are the street hustlers working the adjoining Av. José Bonifácio. Like Curitiba, Porto Alegre is mostly populated by European descendants, so there aren't as many blacks as in northern Brazil, but it's a big city (3 - 4 million in the metro area) so there's something for everyone. The towns of Gramado and Canela in the nearby Serra Gaucha are a nice day trip to an area with some lovely scenery.

 

Hope this helps. You really can have a nice two or three days in either city.

[Guest Anselm]

I have started to travel to Sao Paulo for some time off every year because I have a friend who lives there. On this next trip, I have three days and two nights available to enjoy other parts of the country. I've done most of the areas of Brazil already (Rio, Salvador, the falls, etc.), except for Curitiba and Porto Alegre. I've noticed that in Sao Paulo saunas many of the boys come from these two cities. I read Uncle Tri's brief description of the two and wanted to get some more info.:

 

1-For those who have travelled there, which of the two--Curitiba or Porto Alegre-- do you recommend?

2-What is the sauna scene like in the cities? Similar to Sao Paulo and Rio?

3-Any concerns I should have in travelling to either of the two?

 

Thanks, guys, for any help you can provide.

 

Anselm

[Guest Anselm]

Thanks much for your advice. I've decided to take the plunge and head for Curitiba and that fabulous train ride everyone writes about. There are several saunas listed for the city. They are:

 

1-520

2-Apogeu

3-Caracala

4-Club 773

5-Opiniao

 

You mentioned the one you visited which had boys. Do either of you, or anyone else, know if the others have boys as well?

 

Thanks, and I'll be sure to report back!

 

Anselm

[trilingual]

I believe Opinião and 773 have escorts. Caracala definitely doesn't.

[Guest miguelmiche1]

forget about the saunas. go to curitiba for the litorina.

 

(experience at 773/opiniao echoes above poster's at 520. apogeu - nothing.)

 

train ride spectacular. but take only to morretes, not to paranagua. most scenic views end at morretes. paranagua unfortunately a dead port city now. curitibanos themselves head to morretes on weekends, isn't that the best gauge?

[Guest Deweywop]

Check the weather forecast before taking the train ride. I got beautiful views of cloud and fog. The train is a purely tourist event, with guides announcing what I was supposed to see in Portuguese. In Morretes, try the local dish, I think it's bareada or something like that. Very heavy meal. I took the bus back to Curitiba in half the time.