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TripOut Gay Travel:
Rio de Janeiro

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Gay Friendly Rating: Gay Friendly Rating Very welcoming; this place is gay-tastic!
Brazil's sexiest city scored your votes for the "Best Global Destination." One visit and you'll realize why!

Rio de Janeiro Fast Facts:

  • Gayborhood Rua Farme de Amoedo is the gayest street in Rio with Ipanema's gay beach a block away.
  • While it's a lot cheaper than a vacation in the USA or Europe, Brazil is not the bargain it used to. The Real is worth almost 48 cents now, meaning as a rough estimate half the cost of anything quoted in real and you've got the US dollar value. There are ATM's at the airport and in the city.
  • Brazil and Rio is not a place without danger. Take taxis at night and don't walk along desolate areas and do not go to the beach at night. If you're with a group of friends, make sure that someone stays on the beach to keep an eye on stuff when you're swimming after a tan. That said, most law-abiding Brazilians will help out when they can and your hotel can provide help in an emergency.
  • For getting around, the Rio subway can't be beat, but at night definitely take a cab around. They're all over and easy to get. Most cab drivers also can give advice on the latest spot to hit.
  • You know some of the neighborhoods - Ipanema and Copacabana are the best beach spots in Rio. Ipanema is a little more sophisticated and safer at night than Copacabana which has a stronger urban feel to it, developed much earlier. Downtown has museums and ancient churches and some very interesting people watching. Lapa is an exciting everything old is new again nightlife area outside of downtown. Have you heard of Madame Sata, the notorious cross-dressing gangster of early 20th century Rio? This was her 'hood, and while it's not very gay, it's got lots of great clubs and music all the young people love to head to. Nearby, but for the daytime is the emerging Santa Teresa neighborhood with all its fantastic little galleries and boutiques set in the overgrown hilltops overlooking the ocean. It's also full of charming little B&B;'s.
  • Certainly if you're looking for a skimpy bathing suit, you'll find plenty of places to buy one here in Rio de Janeiro. A great shopping street is Rua Garcia D'Avila in Ipanema with every kind of store you'd ever want. One that says Brazil all over it is H. Stern, a gem and jewelry store which began in Rio and spread all over the world. Their flagship is on this street and they even have selections of rainbow gemstone rings good for commitment ceremonies. (Rua Garcia D'Avila, 113; +55-21-2106-0000; http://www.hstern.com.br)
  • Don't forget your visa and we're not just talking credit cards. Americans need visas to go to Brazil. If you're traveling outside of Rio for extended stays in Amazon regions, look into getting malaria pills for your visit.
  • Brazilians are not known for punctuality, but don't think it gives you an excuse to be late. Abide by the schedule, but be tolerant when things aren't as planned. Dinner is a late affair by North American standards, beginning at about 9pm. Clubs get started late too, around 1am or 2am. Expect to be out until the sun comes up.
  • Brazil is very web friendly. If you can't find what you want with a regular google search, try it on http://www.google.com.br, the Brazilian Google page. Or, add the Brazil web extension ".com.br" to anything and see what you get.
  • We love Rio, and the votes tell us you do too. Rio takes the cake for Best Global Destination in the 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards.

Meet the Winners of the 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards

5
You voted, and now it's time to celebrate. Find out who you chose as the winners of the 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards. From Madrid to Manhattan, from Paris to Los Angeles, it's a fun bunch! Read More Meet the Winners of the...
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Rio de Janeiro Top 5

Don't leave town before checking out...
  1. Farme Beach
  2. Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
  3. Bofetada
  4. Le Boy and Le Girl
  5. The Carmen Miranda Museum

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