Daily Rate in Rio

[MscleLovr]

I'd appreciate some further advice from M4Mers in Rio.

 

As part of planning my trip, I've been in contact (email and phone) with a "friend of a friend". The guy in question is very much the type I like, and we seem compatible. I know he escorts as a sideline to his main job.

 

He has offered to show me around in Rio and take care of me. As I speak no Portuguese, he would be a great guide. He is well-educated and has lived overseas. Today, he offered to take vacation from his other job and stay with me for the duration of my trip, and politely and properly asked if I would "look after him".

 

My question is what sort of fee should I expect to pay for this combination of guiding and escort services? I don't want to be cheap, but equally I want to show some respect for the local culture and not wildly over-pay. (Obviously, I do expect to pay for all expenses)

 

Thanks in advance for any pointers you can give me!

[trilingual]

I think R$150 is fair for a full day of guiding/interpreting during the daytime (approximately US$50). If he spends the night with you, add another R$100 (for a total of R$250). If he's wonderful, tip an extra R$50. Of course, you'll also be paying for meals, transportation, admissions and any tokens of your affection you wish to bestow!

 

Unless your friend has an extremely lucrative job, he will be doing very well at these rates. And you'll have a great time for not very much. If you spend R$1000 on him for four days, that's just US$360, which you could easily pay for an hour of an overpriced guy's time in New York or L.A.!!! And I would be quite surprised if your friend earns more than R$1000 a week here in Brazil in his regular job, so he should be very satisfied with these fees.

 

Hope this gives you an idea.

[+ Axiom2001]

Msclelover, if you're truly satisfied with this guy's services, please advise us here at this forum of his name and email address. We need to know who's willing as well as who's available to lend this kind of service to those of us who are not too conversant in Brasilian Portuguese.

 

Rio is a relatively easy city to access and meander solo, but companionship and being able to speak to/with the people in their native language is another story for those of us who have trouble remembering.

 

Recently I was mistaken as being a native and was stopped by folks on the streets for specific directions and other information; I smiled and had to say "noa fala Portuguese"... The individuals smiled, but I felt bad. Also when I went into shops, I used the proper Brasilian Portuguese depending on the time of day, but that was all I could do except for using body gestures and grunting and smiling.

 

Just thought I'd add this. I'd like to know who this new person is and if he's good. In the past I've had Ernani (superb) and Tom (very good) in Rio as my guides.

[MscleLovr]

Thank you very much for the advice.

 

If indeed he is a good companion, I'll be sure to ask him if he would like to be mentioned on this site.

 

Any further thoughts would be appreciated.