Rio de Janeiro - Florianopolis, gay getaway in Brazil

Sept. 30 2013

by misterb&b

It could be the perfect combination for a gay vacation under the Brazilian sun. A week to discover Rio de Janeiro, its landscapes, its vibrant life and the cariocas. And a few days in Florianopolis, capital of the state of Santa Catarina, the gayest seaside resort in Brazil, for its beaches or its gay carnival.

Rio de Janeiro. The perfect postcard. So once you've arrived, don't wait to feast your eyes on it. Go defy the sky and take on the two icons of Rio: Corcovado and Sugarloaf.

The Corcovado, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer rise to more than 700 meters. There is no need to trust the clouds or the absence of clouds before starting the ascent by funicular: take the right side of the ascent (for the view) and pray that the summit is clear when you arrive! If the clouds give you some respite (don't hesitate to wait at the top), you will discover the grandiose spectacle of the bay, the Sugar Loaf and the most beautiful beaches of the city.

For the Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar), try your luck at sunset. If the clouds don't play tricks on you, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the dizzying relief of the bay. Beware of the little monkeys, not at all friendly!

Then, direction the beaches, of course! Copacabana, the most famous one, stretched out like a crescent moon on more than 4 kilometers, is the scene of the biggest parties and has a gay part, in front of the mythical Copacabana Palace. But the gay beach that will forever link you to Rio isIpanema.

The gay flags fly proudly between the surveillance posts N°8 and N°9, in one of the most chic districts of the city. Be careful, on your deckchair and under your umbrella, rented a few reals to sublime beach boys (who also know very well how to mix caipirinhas), you will risk overheating: your eyes will have to choose between the raging ocean, the hills of the Two Brothers, in the distance, behind which the sun falls every evening under the applause or the "hills" of the cariocas who carelessly show off in their sunga, those characteristic Brazilian bathing suits.

The boys of Ipanema? Pure bombshells, even sexier under your eyes than in the legend!

In the evening, head for the gay district, around Farme de Amoedo street (opposite the gay beach of Ipanema), with its bars and restaurants. Don't be surprised, outside of New Year's Eve or Carnival, the area may seem quite quiet. The neighbors from São Paulo will tell you that Rio is just a village and that the gay scene is rather modest. Benjamin, owner of Casa Mosquito, the only boutique hotel in Ipanema, confirms that apart from the few gay addresses, heteros and homos tend to follow the same circuit, the parties are very mixed.

Here are some suggestions: for a drink, and to meet new people, the To Nem Ai bar; for dinner, Zazá Bistrô and its tropical decor; for dancing, the Galeria Cafe (on Wednesdays and Thursdays) or the Boy (on Fridays).

If you want to have a good time, go to The Week on Saturday night, the real clubbing meeting place in Rio, the little sister of The Week in São Paulo. There's even a pool inside!

To enjoy a more authentic Rio, prefer the Lapa district, in the center, which comes alive as soon as night falls and is full of small bars and restaurants. It is in the Centro that you will also find during the day the main museums and monuments, slaloming between the most modern buildings

It is also from there that you can take the ferry to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Niterói, signed Oscar Niemeyer (photo below), from where you can admire the whole skyline of Rio, and the dizzy reliefs of the city.

To get around, don't be afraid to walk (so avoid flip-flops!). The subway, even if it is rather limited, serves the main tourist places, including the beach of Ipanema but you will need a combined subway + bus (Integração Expressa) to be able to arrive at your destination (Botafogo station for the Sugarloaf and Largo do Machado for the Corcovado). As for the cabs (the yellow ones, and only the yellow ones!), you can rather trust them (rate 1 during the day, 2 in the evening from 9pm).

For shopping, prepare your reals, clothes are expensive. In the stores of Leblon, you will find Brazilian shirts for 70 euros. Much cheaper, the local flip-flops (we won't name the brand) will make a perfect gift for friends back home. And to bring back a bit of Brazilian sunshine with you, the Granado beauty products, with their characteristic scents.

Forget what you've been told about insecurity, things have changed in Rio. You will feel as safe here as in any European capital. The only advice: don't bring valuables to the beach and don't leave your towel unattended.

Last but not least, arrive in the middle of the week, so you'll be in great shape when the weekend arrives. And to recover from your weekend, go toFlorianopolis for a few days, in the south!

The view on the bay of Rio from the Sugar Loaf

FLORIANOPOLIS
An hour and a half flight from Rio, Florianopolis, Floripa to its friends, is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. Located on an island, a short distance from the mainland, it is famous for its beaches. This seaside resort is now one of the most popular gay spots in Brazil, especially between Christmas and New Year's Day, during Carnival in February, or during its Diversity Festival in September.

With nearly 50,000 participants, the Floripa Gay Carnival has become one of the island's major events. The Week, the legendary gay club of Sao Paulo and Rio, even takes advantage of this to open a temporary club each year, at the Praia Mole Eco Village on the west coast of the island

It's here, 20 kilometers east of Florianopolis, that everything happens, on the beautiful sandy beaches of Praia Mole (gay) or Galheta (nudist and more naughty). The Bar do Deca, in the open air, ensures the animation, with cocktails, DJs and some memorable parties

In town, a bar, the Mix Café Club, two saunas, Thermos Oceano and Club Hangar, and two clubs, Jivago and Concorde, constitute the bulk of the gay nightlife on the island, in all seasons

Beware, the island is big. So be sure to check where your accommodation is located before you book. Buses run from Floripa to the beaches, and they are not very expensive, but you can lose a lot of time in transport if you are far from Praia Mole. As for cabs, they are expensive. Alternative: rent a car.

The beach of Praia Mole in Florianopolis © Ricardo Ribas / Santur SC

After this seaside interlude, in this small surfers' paradise, it will be time to take the road to Rio. A last stop, the opportunity to enjoy one last time the beach, the warmth of the carioca night, before taking your flight back home. For sure, you will come back!

The Bar Do Deca in Florianopolis

Getting there:
Recentlyvoted"Best airline in South America" for the second year in a row at the World Airline tAM Airlines, the national airline and member of the Star Alliance, operates flights to 45 destinations in Brazil and 19 international destinations, notably from Paris.

The airline offers a daily direct flight to Rio de Janeiro from Paris, and 7 other flights with a stopover in São Paulo. It also offers several daily flights between Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis (1h30).

Information and reservations at 01 53 53 80 00