Can the Saunas Be Avoided?

[Guest needtraining]

I read the postings about the Brazilian saunas with interest. But it does seem to be a strange scene! (How) is it possible to sample some of these great guys without going to the saunas? Are there some reliable agencies? The comfort and atmosphere of a hotel room seems so much more desirable to me! By the way, my first trip to Rio will be this August. How "wintery" does it really get?

[Guest AustinMarc]

I was a first time traveller to Rio who had similar concerns. I recommend having Artur Brazil maybe help you out here (it was fun to read HooBoy himself did the same in Sao Paulo). I saw some hot guys on some of the escort agency sites (http://www.agapollus.com) as well as Brazilian based sites that really aren't agency run, but the guys post pics and their contact phone numbers at. (Contatos (?) and Abusado (?)). Boy, if there wasn't a language barrier, it'd be a piece of cake. But these guys have no email access, and do all by phone most of the time. But how to have a contact there who can be your intermediary - I emailed Artur and he was very helpful. He also can guide you to the saunas (I'm not sure I could have taken the plunge solo to tell the truth), but they are not to be missed. Artur is great for giving you the little shove through the door some of us need. He also is a friend of this board, and HooBoy, so it's rather easy communicating with him rather than a "stranger". If he brings you to the saunas, you won't want to "avoid" much longer.

[trilingual]

However, if you're going to Rio, you might have to import Artur, who lives in São Paulo. Ernani, who lives in Rio, also can be helpful. His contact info is under the reviews, in "Mexico & South America."

 

As for agencies, Alex, who runs Apollus in Rio, speaks English and a number of other languages fluently. You can e-mail him through his site, and he's pretty good about responding. You can also phone him, at the numbers with the (021) area code. (From the U.S. dial 011+55+21+phone number.) You can also check out other Rio agencies by going to http://www.netgay.com.br and clicking on Escorts. I don't know how much English is spoken, but my guess is enough to be able to do business. Rio is a major tourist destination, and English has become the international language of tourism, so it's likely someone speaks some English, at least at some of the agencies.

 

Finally, some individual escorts are reviewed, with contact info. Just see if the reviewer mentions anything about language abilities. However, with few exceptions, most of the posters here DON'T speak Portuguese, and seem to have done just fine, so there's no reason you shouldn't have a good time, too!

[Guest Deweywop]

To each his own, but I greatly prefer the saunas to a hotel room. My reasons: (1) a sauna with others present actually feels more secure than my own hotel room; (2) you get to see exactly (and I mean exactly) what you get and can window shop from a wide selection; (3) the large supply of soap and water (showers, pools, jacuzzi, etc.) satisfies the clean-freak in me; (4) the indescribable combination of casual relaxation and intense eroticism works miracles for our Northern sex-is-shameful hang-ups -- at least while we're in Brazil.

[Guest needtraining]

Thank you guys for this information. I'm going to do some reading and investigating! Luckily I have until August. Please let me know if any other ideas come to mind. What was that old posting about 3X bath robes???:-)

[+ Axiom2001]

Hey Needstraining-- I consider myself to be on the shy side in some situations, but in conjunction with the Brasilian saunas in Rio-- I was just the opposite: I used the guidelines I found here and journeyed with ease to both Roger's and Estacao saunas.

I went in and followed the advice of the guys on this board; I saw whom I wanted to see and avoided the pitfalls of getting together with guys who seemed desperate or pushy. It worked well for me, and I did not find it to be an intimidating experience either.

 

Estacao had towels, not quite 3X though-- Roger's only had towels, so I went with it. My physique was no problem with the guys; I was flattered to be "hunted" even if it were only as a fantasy.

I don't know if 117 has towels or not; I did not go there on my first visit, but it is on my list for my future visit/s.

 

Lastly, I saw Marcio from http://www.agapollus.com; the two main differences between agency and sauna guys is amount of money paid and the privacy if you hire from a service. It was low season, so the rate for ninety minutes was eighty US dollars.

 

You have much time to prepare; by the time that August comes around you should be well steeped and prepared in order to put all of it to use with alacrity and finesse.)

[+ Axiom2001]

>Estaco had towels, not quite 3X though...

 

Oops! I erred, for I meant to write robes not towels... Also, the rate from the agency was $80US for ninety minutes. At the saunas pay no more than R50s plus tip if it's warranted.

[Guest needtraining]

Thanks to Axiom2001 as well! How about bringing one's own robe (e.g. since I need 3XL)... are they just plain white ones?

 

And what are people's experiences in bringing a sauna boy back to your hotel? Safe? Only at closing time? Rates? Is this OK with the hotel I see mentioned here the most- Copa Atlantico?

 

Sorry if I sound a little picky but... I've checked the agency websites suggested above. I did not find many guys that were attractive to me. Am I alone in this? Like many, I think, I look for young, handsome, tall,lean, with great "shape" and/or muscle. Didn't see many at all like this. Are the sauna guys in your experiences "better?"

 

Finally, I'm very, very vanilla. What is the reaction of the sauna guys if your main desires are relaxed snuggling, body contact and/or muscle worship. Would they find that boring... or easy? Can they be genuinely warm, tender and "romantic?"

 

Oh... how about the August weather. I don't like hot and humid. Which saunas are (mostly) airconditioned? THANKS, GUYS.

[Guest Tomcal_]

If you look at the archieves from late Aug and Oct. last year their is all the info about bringing guys back to your hotel. But from what I gather from your posts, you should only take guys to the sex motels if you dont' want to see them at the suanas! Get a feel for Rio how the system works and how to identify the guys that wouldn't be a risk to you if you took them to your hotel.

"" What is the reaction of the sauna guys if your main desires are relaxed snuggling, body contact and/or muscle worship. Would they find that boring... or easy? Can they be genuinely warm, tender and "romantic?""

I think you are worrying way too much about their reactions. They can play the role of a warm, tender, romantic date, and they are good at it! that is their Job!!! You are paying them and they will do what they need to(within their individual perameters) to get you to be a repeat customer. You may fall in love(I think I did several dozen times!LOL), they won't and don't! Remember that and have fun. Read the posts from last year and you can't go wrong and will have a great experience.

Re: large towels. I have seen "Big" guys in the suanas with both towels and robes provided.

[Guest Deweywop]

I'd say the sauna boys are very comparable to Kristen Bjorn's Brazilian casts, with the same kind of mix of colors and shapes and sizes.

[+ Axiom2001]

In terms of the guys at the saunas-- just go with the flow as others have mentioned. Although I only went to two saunas and had limited experiences, (Like a fool, I didn't take too much money.) I went with the guys who appealed to me. All of them satisfied me to the point that I want to see these same guys again when I return, plus I want to see others who have been favorably mentioned on this site during the past three months.

 

I agree with you that the photos of escorts at the various agencies are deceptive and somewhat nonenticing, I found Marcio at Appollus (sp) to be much more handsome and virile in person than what his pics revealed. There is a site called http://www.RioMen.com . You have to become a member to see the photos, but the guys are extremely, extremely hot. Alex from Appollus stated that these guys didn't escort, but I have to be suspect of this.

 

The guys at Marcos Studios were "hot"! What are you really after...? As TomCal stated-- read those archives. In those "girls" you get the run down on all of the saunas which have guys for pay, you get the lowdown on their looks and activities, etc., but as TomCal stated in one of his responses two months ago: the guys, although wanting to please the client, will be somewhat selective as what they would do with some clients. but since you state that you are primarily into vanilla, that shouldn't be a problem. Most of the boys are luscious kissers!

 

DON'T let this worry you. I was somewhat apprehensive and nervous before I went to Brasil (Rio), but the sauna scene was far the EASIEST for me to handle solo. I, as you, wrote to the men on this board for assistance and guidance, and "boy" did I get it. Thanks again, men!

 

The information is valuable and a great source to use. Take advantage and make the most of it! (PS The robes are white; I don't know if you can bring your own or not! In one of the threads the Portuguese term for robe in given. We can thank Tri for lending us this information. Contact Jivau; he had a concern about size, etc., but I think he did not go to the saunas. My advice to you is to go and have fun, fun, fun. Respect the guys and enjoy. (Read the archives, the archives, the ...'ives!

[HooBoy]

I will be posting a review in the next few days about my 3 week experience in Sao Paulo but I wanted to address this issue of the saunas - from my point of view. The majority of the guys I ran into just wanted to get me off as fast as they could so they could move on to their next trick.

 

The first few nights at the Themos Lagos, the guys would only give head if I had a condom.

 

My first guy I was with spent the entire time telling me about his corozon, how it was broken and how his life was screwed up. He was beautiful, but...

 

If you do not speak Portuguese, you are a fish out of water when you leave your hotel. Get Arthur Brazil to translate for you and show you the ropes. I also hear good things about Ernani, but I have not met him. I tried to hire a straight guide (through my hotel) for a comparison, but was a disaster. And I'm talking about a 4 star hotel.

 

Customer service is NOT something to expect - at least in Sao Paulo.

 

I will have more on all this later, but if you are planning on going down there soon, do your homework first. It is a lovely place and the people are kind and gentle. I had a lot of fun interacting with them and did not encounter one sour local.

 

For sex, frankly, I would rather spend my money on a professional in the USA or Europe than squander $20 on a South American hustler.

 

There are exceptions and I will post a review or two on them in the next few days -- as soon as I get this newest computer configured.

[Luv2play]

re customer service" in Sao Paulo, I needed to change airline tickets at my hotel (the Hilton downtown) since I discovered that it was better to use the local airports for an onward flight to Rio rather than the international airports at both cities which my travel agent had booked me through. The front desk clerk took care of it all and spent the better part of 20 minutes on the phone to do it, all with a smile. Just a little example, but something that made my trip a delight!:-)

[trilingual]

Anyone expecting to engage in a long romance at the saunas is probably in for a disappointment! The guys are into quantity, plus the "cabines" are rented for relatively short time periods and they try not to run over (I guess the local customers aren't very happy if they have to pay for two periods because a session ran long). If you meet someone you like and want to spend more time with him, I'd suggest making a date for outside the sauna. Most of the guys seem only too willing to give you their names and cell phone numbers for making contact!

[Guest Deweywop]

This is another "your mileage may vary" post, but I, if I had $300 in my pocket, would much rather spend it on about 15 Brazilian boys than on one northern "professional." I had largely given up on escorts before I went to Brazil. Of the 5 or so American escorts I've called, every single one of them was a disappointment in some way or another. Though I managed to get off with them (though not all), they were never as good-looking, well-hung, or sexually passionate as they advertised or as I would expect for my hard-earned money. A couple times, I actually had to turn the escort down after seeing him. Granted, I was not paying $600 for a Tom Chase, but since I found price to be no indicator of quality, I would hesitate to shell out the enormous sums demanded by the marquee escorts.

 

Like others on this board, I sometimes hesitate to wax so rhapsodically about the boys of Brazil (because I'd like to keep them packed away for myself!), but if you like real virility, energy, creativity, and participation, check them out. I did about 8 sauna boys during my trip to Brazil, and each one of them was enormously satisfying. Probably by coincidence, the boys I met in Rio were generally insistent tops, but I did not find it pushy because, as a "versatile," I can appreciate a top who knows how to take control, especially when they have huge cocks, as the Rio boys did. At SP's Termas Lagoa, on the other hand, I found the boys to be a bit more passive or "professional," and I fucked two of the sweetest asses on two of the most muscular twinks I've ever met. All of the Brazilians, except one, kissed deeply and enthusiastically. I credit them with a certain ESP - they seem to know better than I do where I want to go and how far, and they take me there.

 

I do speak some Spanish and some very, very bad Portuguese. I think that helped a lot. But the Brazilians seem very adept at nonverbal communication.

[gulliver]

brazilian boys compare HIGHLY FAVORABLY to USA escorts in my opinion. I live in NYC where there are many escorts and have used the services of many over the years. while there are some outstanding boys - one can never be certain about your chemstry of the description of the escort and it is often that I have a dissapointing evening. Since most of your Brazilian experiences are going to occur because of some chemical attraction when you are face to face - dissapointments are less frequent.

 

I have never had a dissapointing escort experience in Rio. When you take into consideration that I have no attraction whatsoever to 99% OF NYC LATIN or PR escorts, I find 50 % of the boys at estacao, rogers, or 117 EXTREMELY ATTTRACTIVE. I often ask a boy to have a late night supper or spend the night. Considering sex three times in an 8 hour period is only going to cost R150 + dinner R20 ( that is at total of 50 dollars - I find Brazailian boys a Bargain.

 

I dont think most US escort boys are much as business men or customer service oriented people. They may be gay but I find the boys of brazil warmer, genuine, friendlier, and more erotic. Our US boys (with the exception of some such as NYC's Jason Markus, Rick Monroe, and many others) are some pretty COOL cookies with some highly inflated views of their worth and market value.

 

I have never had a problem communicating with a Brazilian sauna boy. Pimsleurs Level 1 - 4 cassette set - which takes only four hours to go thru gives you AN EXCELLENT PORTUGEUSE BASIC VOCABULARY AND PRONOUNCIATION without using any book. It is a "you cant fail to learn the language" method and I highly recommend it.

 

I have seen many USA excorts who were 6'3" and 25 who actualy looked more like 5"11" and 40 yet have never seen a Brazilian sauna boy in his towel who dissapointed me. If a USA escort ask 300 for a session yand does not perform he expects his full money wheras a sauna boy who costs R50 (about 15 dollars) may not do everything you had hoped but you are hardly out much money or time.

[+ Axiom2001]

This morning I wrote almost a ten paragraph essay alluding to my travels in Brasil in October to give another view to a first timer. HB's comments could be somewhat misleading to a newbie.

Anyway, I decided to delete everything that I wrote and to address the last gems which precede mine.

 

>Brazilian boys compare HIGHLY FAVORABLY to USA escorts...

 

I definitely agree; I have found that the escorts in Brazil seemed to be oh so "fluid" contrasted with many of the men (escorts) I have been with in the States.

 

I have seen one escort from Brazil who now resides in the States, and he has been one jewel; he's been quite an exception, and I continue to enjoy our sexual meetings although I like more about him that just the sex.

 

>...one can never be certain about your chemistry of the description of the escort...

 

I recall TomCal's stating in one of his responses that the "boys" don't react the same way with all of their clients. I thought this was a point well taken. With me there was only one encounter that I rate as a 70 and that was a three way I had during my first visit at Estacao; the chemistry was awkward, and the time was not as long as I desired. By my being a newbie-- I did not know that I could invite the escort off and back to my place and pay the fee of the escort's remaining time at the sauna.

 

>I find the boys of Brazil warmer, genuine, friendlier, and more erotic.

 

I like the concept; I agree as a whole, but is this not a little generalized?

[gulliver]

of course, this is a generalization - but one that I gave much reflection to before I posted. There are a few USA (and NYC) escorts with warmth, friendliness, who are hot BUT - in 20 years they are the vast MINORITY (as i Said - among those are Jason Markus, Rick Monroe,and a handful). I made my statements based on many experiences in the US and having met about 30 Brazil boys. Of the 30 - I have yet to meet one who could not act GENUINELY FRIENDLY and at least make it appear that they had other interests other than cash and a bit of an exaggerated self image of themselves.

THe best escorts i met in the US tend to appropriately price their services and describe themselves accurately. The usual are overpriced and indeed generous when it comes to describing themselves.

[Guest bam]

If, as nearly everyone (myself included) seems to agree that Brazilian guys are wonderful: is it possible that some other factors are at play here?

 

i.e.: less stressful lives, warmer weather, more fruits and vegetables in the diet, more exercise (due to financial reasons), less and or safer drugs, more family or extended network support,

 

Or is it that there is such a need for work and such a population surplus/poverty that a great group of guys rises to the surface out of sheer numbers and need?

 

In my opinion the guys are real, beautiful, and able to focus on you, open, generous, and sweet (with some cynicism but not nearly what you see in the US). Similar to Costa Rica and very different from Mexico.

 

Or maybe this is just a late night rambling of mine, sure that something is there but missing the crux of it.

[Guest Deweywop]

Bam, all of the things you muse about play a role. One of the best things to me about the Boys of Brazil experience is how it opens up such opportunities for speculation and reflection about cultural differences. My "sex trip" (though it was much more than that) to Brazil was eye-opening and mind-blowing in the way that Mediterranean travel was to consumptive, verklempt Northern European writers of the last century. And yes, we are speaking of generalizations, and we know to keep it in brackets, but generalization is one of the crucial faculties of intelligence.

 

I think the main characteristic of the Brazilian business is a relaxed, rational attitude toward two things that unduly freak out northerners -- sex and money -- oh-so-incidentally joined in the oldest profession. It's not just the boys' open-minded attitude about sex (so long as you observe a few cultural rules and discretions, though there was far more willingness to bottom than I was led to expect from the machismo culture), it's also their attitude about making a living. Though economics, sometimes harsh economics, are an undeniable motive, I did not sense the kind of shame, embarrassment, resentment, or seediness that usually attaches to unconventional employment, all of which I think translates into the bad attitude and mind games you sometimes find in American sex industry. Maybe I'm just fantasizing, but these guys don't seem to view working their body for sex as any worse than working their body digging ditches. Chatting with a boy in Sao Paulo, using my limited language skills, I asked him if this was difficult work. He said yes, but his reason surprised me. He said there were too many other boys and too few customers. In other words, he wasn't getting enough work!

 

It's strange to unite sex and work. But we're often told to find a job that we enjoy. Johns are accused of perpetually entertaining this fantasy, but it sure seems to me the Brazilians enjoy the work, in the way you would say that about any other job.

 

This is all a very interesting subject, but the the most enjoyable way to research it is with that part 3 feet below the brain.

[Guest Deweywop]

I am interested though to hear HooBoy's further comments. Not every trip works out exactly as anticipated. That's the wonder of travel. For my trip, I thought Rio and Minas Gerais were a blast and Sao Paulo "interesting" and hard to describe, but I must admit I was expecting a better time in Southern Brazil. Also, though I find people extremely accommodating, warm, and personable when they have reason to talk with you, such as when you're transacting business of any kind or when you simply ask for directions, otherwise they seemed more formal and reserved than I expected and not inclined to approach a stranger. Of course I was traveling alone, and I was told that Brazilians think being alone is very strange and antisocial so they might have kept their distance for that reason.

[Guest bam]

I think you hit on a major difference - which I also see in Costa Rica

 

No one considers themselves a "victim"

 

I think Americans have honed victimization to an art form - and it's almost always negative energy. As I get older negative energy becomes much less attractive.

 

In Costa Rica the average income is about $300 a month and yet in 15 trips I have NEVER met anyone who would consider themselves poor. While not exactly the same in Brazil, much of the positive attitudes about negative conditions are there. In Mexico there is always a passive macho anger that someone else (not unlike in the US) has screwed them (or more likely – screwed their family).

[HooBoy]

Hey Dewdrop,

 

I want to be clear about this.

 

First, I have always traveled around the world alone or with friends for most of my life. At one time, I was going to Asia every six months. Still, I spend every Christmas in Hong Kong and I spend Thanksgiving in London each year (to get even with them for kicking us out of their country...it is an inside joke.)

 

The hotel people at both hotels I stayed in for over 3 weeks in Sao Paulo were WONDERFUL and I let them know how much I appreciated them. So I do not want readers here to think my comments on customer service lacking were targeted at the two hotels I personally experienced.

 

My overall experience of being in Sao Paulo for that length of time was positive, but as the guy at the cleaners I used (who was a black from Nigeria told me), "if you do not speak Portuguese here, you are a fish out of water." He obviously spoke english...and my clothes were cleaned and DELIVERED to my hotel for about what I would pay for a cocktail.

 

I think the place is wonderful because of the people, but there has been so much chatter here about the "wonders" of Brazil, I thought I would add another dimension for people who may expect too much and ultimately be disappointed. Because I travel so much, I am typically only disappointed when I have a computer stolen or if I get the flu.

[+ Axiom2001]

OK, gents, it is now time to get back to the topic at hand: "Can the Saunas Be Avoided?" I, for the sake of our fellow respondent, hope that the remainder of the reponses address his initial question. All of the divergent and similar views were well-taken! But let's get back "on the topic"!

[gulliver]

OK- back to the original point. Go to the sauna (choose Estacao since Rogers may be closed and I have not yet been to the new one which is due to open Feb 8 - I will post when I go Feb 19th), bring a beach robe to wear over your towel, head immediately to the bar, get a drink and sit at one of the two tables in the first room, one of the five in the room with the tv. Just wait. In no time you will feel comfortable.

 

If you go later -9PM or so - you can nurse your drink for an hour or so and chat with ONLY A BOYS THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED in bringing back to your hotel. You will not be alone as many boys will come over to chat with you and welcome you. Again, buy Pimsleurs four tape Portugeuse I program - its so easy. You can invite any of the boys to join you for a dinner (there is an outdoor cafe on the same block as estacao around the corner. You can probably enjoy his companionship for dinner and an hour or two at the hotel for about 150 reals - 43 dollars. Once you meet one boy, it will be easy to meet some of his friends IF YOU MAKE IT CLEAR that you are interested in meeting multiple boys over your time in Rio. The will refer there friends to you and introduce you. The guys at Rogers are genuinely friendly. I suggest 9PM because many of the boys leave around 9 to 11 and they might be more interested in dinner and hotel. It is a bit late though to arrive for your first ti

 

NO PROBLEM bringing boys to the Atlantico. Just walk right in - there will be no form, registration, weird looks.

 

There were some, men over my last two trips there who wore robes or stayed in shorts and pullover shirt. Some nights none -others two or three (especially Sunday for whatever reason) Wear a pair of your own Adidas thongs or beach shoes however - no sneakers and socks. you'll blend in more.

 

One thing will definitely happen - you will only be bringing a boy back that you have already met and find attractive - unlike an agency date which might not do it for you. If you do not meet anyone you find attractive (almost impossible to believe) you will have a good time chatting and using your new portugeuse skills.

 

Remember, there are many ,many boys in relation to the number of clients - so you are IN DEMAND (and your reals). If you are an older chap sitting alone and find someone attractive - just look their way and do not worry they will be over soon. Offer to buy them a drink if you wish them to stay and just nod a FIRM NO if you do not. You will have to walk to the bar and show your locker key number until the bartenders

(very friendly) know you and that you approve the charges.

 

The Rio saunas are NOT LIKE USA baths - its more like a relaxed kind of mens club (well kind of).

 

These guys are usually hungry. Have some chips, cookies, and stuff in your room. They love cable TV, and you can get comfortable with them if you are a bit timid while watching TV (they will probably find the hotel straight porn channel)

 

I have no experience with street boys and after reading all of the archives here I would only bring boys I met in the sauna back to my hotel. You could hang out at either Maxims or the Yellow Awning on Siquera Campus but you might not be able to discern who is safe if you had not tried the sauna. People head to the yellow awning and score sauna boys who stop on the way home around midnite. I was only there once and another poster can probably give you more guidance. I like Maxims and eat there often but I do not know the best days and times to pick up nor how safe it is.

 

I hope this gives you all the specific information you need and you at least give the saunas a try and also try a bit of portugeuse.