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Enjoy the Carnival of Carnivals, biggest Carnival on earth in Salvador Bahia [Brazil]
To find Hostels and Guesthouses in Salvador Bahia we recommend these guides that have realistic ratings about places:
SALVADOR CARNIVAL APARTMENTS Apartments are a great chance for groups, although you have to be careful from who you rent the apartment. A nice full equiped apartment for six people, walking distance to the beach and the carnival cost around BRL 8,000, but If you want something oceanfront with direct view to the carnival parade be prepared to pay something above BRL 14,000. Logically price also depends on how you want to share the apartment, weather you want to stay two people in a room or more. There are also guesthouses and realtors offering shared apartments what is also a good chance for couples or small groups who prefer the privacy of an apartment instead of a shared room on a hostel. The point with apartments is this: Carnival has two parades, one takes place on a very unsafe and ugly neighborhood, (forget about accommodations in the "Avenida - Centro" area) the other takes places in Barra - Ondina, fine and safe areas. So it's simply a matter of availability. Consider that two thirds of apartments offered are occupied by families who agree to rent their places during Carnival, so this is another issue that makes prices increase, since these families have to pay for their accommodation somewhere else. That is why the sooner you book the better the price. Considering price and trustability we recommend:
SALVADOR CARNIVAL PARADES & ABADAS One tip, if you want to go to Salvador Carnival don’t think about saving money not buying the Abadás (if you don’t have enough cash, it’s better to take a loan)! It is absolutely necessary. Other good option is buying an abadá for a “Camarote” (a kind of balcony along the parade route) from which you can watch the trios and whenever jump into the street when you feel like. The most famous Blocos, but not necesarily the best, are "Timbalada", "Crocodilo" led by Daniela Mercury and the traditional afro group "Olodum". The party normally last for 1 week. There are two main parade routes where the Trios (trucks) pass through. One close to the old district and another by the beach (Barra). Each Trio plays for 3 days on each parade. You can by "abadás" for all these days, or just for one day. If you want, you can also mix different Trios, that is the alternative to see everything the Salvador Carnival can offer. You can also buy "abadás" for the Camarote (balconies), an option for those who want to have fun without getting into the messy crowd. This also provides a great view from the party, free drinks and a dj ambience. Just remember that it is not so safe and comfortable (for the first timers) to stay at the “Pipoca”, so we advice you to buy an "abadá". Another traditional aspect of the Salvador Carnival are the Afro blocos, that are important agents for the resurgence of African-Brazilian identity and play a major role in social development and educational programs. The blocos Ile-Ayê, Cortejo Afro and Muzenza are among them. So the are Carnival parades: 1. Barra parade 2. Avenida (Campo Grande) parade 3. Pelourinho unpluged parade 1. Barra parade The trios start at the Farol da Barra (the light tower) and go along the ocean until Ondina. The course takes about three hours. Nowadays there is a tendency for the bigger names to play on this parade. 2. Avenida (Campo Grande) parade The trios move from Campo Grande, by the Avenida Sete de Setembro to Praça Castro Alves. 3. Pelourinho unpluged parade It has been added in the last years No trios here, rather a lot of old-time marching bands. SALVADOR CARNIVAL TRIOS / BLOCOS From the musical point of view we recommend these Trios: Olodum, Cortejo Afro, Araketu and Daniela Mercury. The Police Salvador Carnival is heavily policed, specially in Barra. Stands with five or six seated police officers are everywhere and the streets are constantly patrolled by police groups moving in single file usually arriving quickly to break up into any incident. How to avoid being robbed during Salvador Carnival The words "Land of Happiness" are often used to describe Bahia. While there is a strong element of truth in this, the reality is a little more complicated. The larger truth of the matter is that you are in a poor city with plenty of inhabitants who would happily try to by their food and drink by "pickpocketing" in an often unsubtle manner, i.e. hands jammed into your pockets. How to avoid this? One way is to stay out of and away from the pipoca (the Carnival open crowds) the name comes from people jumping up and down like popcorn popping to the music rhythm). But who wants to come all the way to Bahia and do this? Better to: Tie your keys into your shoelaces and keep your money stuffed into your sock. Better yet: keep your money either in an inside pocket or in a change purse attached by a strong safety pin, to the inside of your Carnival shorts. Better yet: do the former using gym pants with no outside pockets at all. MORE SALVADOR CARNIVAL IMAGES + VIDEOS         |
SALVADOR CARNIVAL RECOMMENDATIONS Carnival Room Accommodations:
Carnival Apartments:
Carnival Passes (Abadás) Carnival Artists + Olodum + Cortejo Afro + Araketu + Daniela Mercury + Psirico US Loans:
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