How to Celebrate Carnival in Salvador, Brazil
When visiting Brazil, most tourists celebrate Carnival in Rio de Janeiro where the glamorous balls and vibrant artistry of the Samba Parade are world renowned. But if you prefer mingling with the locals, dancing to live music and an ultra-casual atmosphere, then Carnival in Salvador, a city northeast of Rio, is the place to be. Plus, Salvador's large Afro-Brazilian population makes it one of Brazil's most culturally unique cities and gives its more informal Carnival an African flavor.
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Instructions
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Plan ahead. Brazil requires a tourist visa even for short visits, so check out the nearest Brazilian consulate for instructions. Also, Carnival officially begins 40 days before Easter, so the actual dates vary from year to year. Check your calendar and be sure to book a flight and hotel far in advance as this is peek tourist season in Brazil.
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Spend at least a week in Salvador during Carnival season, especially if you love to party. Carnival in this city is one big block party that generally lasts from Thursday to Ash Wednesday.
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Buy an abada (costume). If you really want to go native you'll need to dress the part. Besides, it makes for a good souvenir. They are available online as well as in most department stores in Salvador.
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Attend a street parade called a trio-eletrico or bloco. This is the main event in Salvador so you may want to attend more than one. Each trio-eletrico features live music played by some of Brazil's top artists. Also, each trio-eletrico follows a different course through the city, so you can see a different part of Salvador.
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Check out one of the afro-blocos or afoxes, which feature music by local Bahian (Salvador is the capital of the state, Bahia) artists that play axe, ijexa and other African-inspired rythmns. These blocos often feature people dressed in African costumes as well.
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Find a barraca (literally, shack), a kind of portable bar, stationed along the beach. Drink a caipirinha, Brazil's signature cocktail that's a mix of lime juice, sugar and cachaca (hard whiskey distilled from sugar cane). Relax as you listen to the music blaring from the giant speakers lined up near each barraca or dance and flail about like all the other drunks.
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Tips & Warnings
Trio-eletricos are semitrailers decked out with massive stereo sound systems and set up like a stage for bands to rock out as they move slowly through the city. This tradition began in 1950 when two muscians and a driver (thus the name, trio) drove a pickup truck slowly down the street while the singers played. Many claim Salvador is the true birthplace of modern Brazilian Carnival traditions, many of which are practiced throughout the country.
When in doubt, talk to the locals, as they know best. They can give you tips on the best venues for trio-eletricos and barracas. Also, ask them where to shop for the best Carnival costumes or abadas.
Don't miss some of Brazil's greatest muscians, many of whom are featured in their own trio-eletrico. Gilberto Gil, Ivete Sangalo, Daniela Mercury, Carlinhos Brown, Timbalada, Margareth Menezes, Olodum and Cheiro de Amor are some of the most popular.
Remember Portuguese is the official language of Brazil and should not be confused with Spanish. While the languages may look the same on paper, they sound quite different. Get a Portuguese phrase book on CD to hear the Brazilian pronunciations and memorize the essentials. English is not widely spoken, especially outside the tourist districts, so be prepared.
Don't go it alone. They say there is safety in numbers and this is especially true for Carnival. All the festivities draw large crowds and unfortunately thieves take advantage of it. It's best to use the buddy system to stay safe and it's advised to leave valuables (such as jewelry, cameras, watches and important documents) at the hotel. Only take necessary cash with you, and use a disposable camera if you want to take pictures.
