Rio saunas -- current best

[pierrot]

I'm making my first trip to Brazil beginning this weekend. What is the best Rio sauna for me to start in? Looking for clean and safe with a good looking crowd of working boys and others.

Other questions:

Is it a good idea to hire a guide to start with?

What are the best days/times to go to the saunas?

Thanks for help.

[xchris]

In my opinion, Point 202 in Rua Sequieira Campos, Copa. And Club 117 in rua Mendez, Gloria. Both near Metro stops. The first seem to have the boys with most attitude, lately. The second still have a good selection and friendly service.

 

Reading the posts about Saunas, prices and How to. Absolutely mantein the prices and tips as it is recommended, otherwise the boys understand you are a newbee and you may suffer for scams.

 

Going around and also to saunas with a guide may solve many problems, mainly if you don't speack portuguese. There are many good boys which can help you as a guide, at a reasonable price.

 

XcHRIS

[Mikeyz7]

This will probably add to your confusion but for my money I prefer Estacao, Rua Tonelero, 217. Although Estacao is generally not popular with many of the posters here, when I made my first trip to Rio last November, I was most comfortable there and had the best success there.

It is very convenient in that it is right across Rua Tonelero from the south/west exit from the Siqueira Campos Metro Station and half a block from the popular Hotel Atlantico.

It is smaller than the other saunas but I found the garatos to be as cute and friendly as at the other places -- but I gather from comments here that this can change from week to week.

I tried to learn a bit of Portuguese before I went on my trip. I found that a few words greeting, knowing my numbers, a phrase book and a smile got me a long way. Never having been to a sauna before, I decided to go the first time shortly after it opened (either 3:00 or 4:00) when there were fewer people around. I found that there were a number of garatos to choose from even at that early hour and it was less intimidating with fewer people around. I also agree that you should read about various postings about sauna procedures, "etiquette", and pricing. Just a few specific points: make sure you agree on price beforehand (as discussed often elsewhere), specify whether it is "com leite" or "sem leite", and be friendly with the guys.

 

If you are uncomfortable going it alone or do not have a a few basic words of Portuguese I can see where an escort may be the way to go. I didn't and had no problems.

I am sure you will have a great time and be a sauna expert in no time no matter how you do it.

 

Mike

[pierrot]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have been studying Portuguese, and although I can't claim to really speak it, I can say a few important things. Understanding the rapid fire responses tends to be the main problem, but I have "podia repetir mais devagar?" under my belt.

I decided to hire a general guide on my first day who can, among other things, show me where the saunas are. I don't think I need him to go in with me, as long as he tells me the routine (which I've already read about here anyway). Your experiences have been helpful, and I guess I'll go with my instinct as to which one I'll try first.

[+ Axiom2001]

I hope you've read a lot of information about Brasil prior to your first visit. Before I "took the plunge" on my first visit in 2003, I read almost everything that is provided here as well as in guide books, and indeed all of the material enhanced my visit.

 

I had a guide or two but went to the saunas by myself and had great times from the information provided by previous visitors and posters.

 

In terms of which saunas are the best-- that's really subjective.

I've been to three of the ones mentioned in this particular thread, and my favorite one is Club117 followed by Point202 and lastly

Estacao; the latter sauna has changed since my first visit, not too bois.

 

I've been to RIo on 3 occasions and plan to return this October. When I went to Estacao in 2004, the number of guys available was slim. The same applied to the number of clients.

 

Well, I hope you have a great visit; keep your wits about you as all of those stunning men can be a bit overwhelming yet great!