Salvador de Bahia
Carnaval in Salvador, February 2018 — Barra on the street, Pelourinho in colour, and a long walk down to the centre. The sheer number of people and the fierceness of the police, the MP, was sometimes frightening. Travel light, or spend the night in a camarote. After the city we sailed to Morro de São Paulo.
- Lodging
Hostel Barra
Visited: Feb 12, 2018
Arrival notes: Taxi from the airport
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The hostel sat right in the middle of the carnival action — parties and people absolutely crazy. We were sharing a bathroom and a bedroom, which was not a good idea in those days. Being in Barra puts you on the circuit; it also means you never really sleep.
- Other
Carnival at Barra
Visited: Feb 13, 2018
How I got there: Walk — Walked the street circuit from the hostel, along Barra toward the Farol.
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We saw carnival at Barra walking on the street. The sheer amount of people, and the fierceness of the police — the MP — was sometimes frightening. Do not bring many belongings. Spend the night in a camarote if you can; the street is the real thing and also the hard thing.
- Historic marker
Pelourinho
Visited: Feb 13, 2018
How I got there: Walk — Into the old city — Largo do Pelourinho and the colonial streets around it.
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We loved it. Carnival here has a beautiful colour mixed with the colonial buildings — the Largo packed, gold and blue, axé in the squares. A different carnival from Barra: more music in the streets, less of the ocean circuit.
- Other
Walk from Pelourinho to the centre
Visited: Feb 13, 2018
How I got there: Walk — On foot from Pelourinho down toward the centre and the Cidade Baixa.
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We walked all the way from Pelourinho to the centre and came across some dangerous neighbourhoods, but we were fine all along. For us as Argentines it was not the most comfortable time. Stay alert, travel light, and do not do this walk at night.
Route summary: Hostel Barra → Carnival at Barra → Pelourinho → Walk from Pelourinho to the centre