TripOut Gay Travel:
Rio de Janeiro

I’ve heard Cariocas, the term for native born residents of Rio de Janeiro, tell me that God must certainly be from Rio himself. One visit and you’ll immediately know why. Few cities in the world are so geographically blessed. Strangely beautiful mountains overgrown with jungle vegetation seem to hug the city’s buildings in an earthly embrace. All of this beauty by land sits against miles of spectacular coastline. Along the sand, beautiful men and women chat and flirt, surf and play volleyball, their sexiness a part of the scenery. Plus, they wear really skimpy bathing suits.

Rio is where Carmen Miranda honed her skills, creating her flamboyant image. If that doesn’t speak volumes about how gay this city can be on a daily basis, come during Carnaval, the celebration that put the city on the map. Held early in the year, just before the Catholic holiday Lent, it’s the world’s largest party. Millions of half-naked people celebrate in the streets and in the Sambadromo, a huge stadium designed by the country’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer. The gayest street festival during this time is Bande de Ipanema, held just a block from Ipanema’s gay beach on Rua Farme de Amoedo. Or head to the neighborhood Leblon where The Gay Carnaval Ball is held. It’s full of Rio’s gliterati and every letter of GLBT is firmly represented!

If you can’t get here during Carnaval, then the New Year’s celebration just about matches it. Something like one or two million people head to the beach at midnight in Ipanema and Copacabana. No one knows exactly the amount of people who go because they look at one gorgeous Brazilian after another and simply lose track of how many and what year it is. Tradition holds that everyone wears pure white clothing and runs to the water throwing roses to the ancient Candomble sea goddess Yemanja to make sure their new year’s prayers are answered. Now, we all know what happens when water hits white clothing. That’s how Ymanga answers your prayers to help you pick which hunky Brazilian to bring back home with you. Certainly, those Cariocas must be right. God must live here for sure, and he certainly wants you to have a gay old time.

For more information on Rio, visit www.rioconventionbureau.com.br and for gay Rio visit www.riogayguide.com and www.lambdabrasil.com. The very best site period for anything about Rio though is www.ipanema.com with its very honest commentary. It was one of the first websites about Rio in existence and just keeps getting better. As gay friendly as Rio is, few places other than a handful of bars are actually 100% gay. Officially there are also no gay hotels or restaurants, but location can make a difference for sure. And Brazilians are very well known for their friendliness, so interpret that any way you want to.

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