Termas
The Portuguese word Termas literally means Spa, but it refers to a legal club or facility where prostitutes operate. A termas is a combination of spa/health, club/massage, facility/bar/brothel. Termas in Rio de Janeiro are world famous.
Normally after paying your entrance fee at a reception desk you will receive a locker key. Then proceed to a locker room to change into a robe and to lockup your clothes and personal effects. You can also shower or sauna and in some places even freshen up with disposable toothbrushes and razors that are provided. Your locker key is very important, besides locking up your clothes in a locker it also acts as a "credit card" inside of the termas to purchase drinks, massages, garotas de programa (prostitutes) and so on. Keep track of your key at all times.
In some termas you stay in your street clothes. Some termas also have a bad habit of providing a girl to help you change, usually these are the worst girls and it is best to ditch them as soon as possible.
Termas usually have a bar, a sauna and other amenities such as TVs with football or soap operas playing. There is a common room like a lounge where you meet the garotas de programa (prostitutes) for selection. When you first enter the area where the girls are, you might want to walk around awhile and check the talent out before taking a seat. If you see someone you want to check out closer, just say hi and ask if she wants a drink. If you sit down when you enter, you’re likely to be trapped by one of the more aggressive girls, these girls use this tactic because they’ll get no takers otherwise.
They have rooms ranging from a basic bed to luxury suites with jacuzzis. Some rooms are included in the basic price and only charge for suite upgrades, but some termas have a charge for even a basic room. In some termas a suite is just a basic room with a private shower, so you should check before upgrading.
See Also
- Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, Natal, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Salvador
- Age of consent in Brazil
- Prostitution across the Americas
- Portugese Sex Phrasebook
- Prostitution, Street prostitution, Global prostitution prices
- Sex topics & Phrasebooks, Sex worker, Prostitute types
- Red-light district, List of red-light districts all over the world
- Brothel, Escort agency, Call girl, Erotic massage, Strip club
- Sex tourism, Sex industry, Countries with most prostitutes
- Sex vocabulary & Abbreviations, Humorous sexual terms
- Gay, Lesbian, Gay and lesbian travel, Bisexuality, Ladyboy
- Age of consent, Stay safe, Scams, Safe sex, STD, HIV/AIDS
- The gender of Brazilian transgendered prostitutes (article)