[Franks]

Half-way through my backpacking trip in South America, thinking about where I should spend my carnaval in.
Was searching through the forums and I've heard of some posters saying "Rio de Janerio is overrated" compared to spending it in Salvador. Which is also a longer time to enjoy your festival time.

Trying to find an Airbnb for Brazil, although I should have planned this earlier....

After the carnaval, I had my thoughts on continuing my backpack trip through Brazil. North to South of Brazil and then I'll find an apartment to rent for a few months.

Have also heard apartments in Colombia are good as well. Mainly looking for beach life *or at least nearby* and thought about Brazil having some schools to practice guitar.

With the time I have left, will be going to Ecuador...Colombia and maybe take a boat to get to Manaus if I want to spend my carnaval in Brazil. Flights are cheaper within the country and I have yet to explore through the Amazons from Colombia to Brazil by boat.

Any thoughts on renting apartments, whether it'll be Colombia or Brazil? Where to spend Carnaval as well?

[Banna]

I have been to Salvador for carnival 4x ....2003, 2005, 2008 & 2009. I've had amazing times there. But my idea of amazing might not be yours. I loved being in the "pipoca" the first few times at carnival but 2009 was the last straw. Brochures tell you to join a bloco.

Why? Because what the tourist brochures don't tell you....its fucking violent! The first 2 years or so I went there was the odd fight. But 2009 was overwhelming and too much. Some fights with 20 to 30 guys beating the shit out of each other for no apparent reason whatsoever. There are 100s of fights breaking out and 1000s of guys getting arrested that week. I'm not exaggerating those numbers.

I saw 1 or 2 guys laying on the street unconscious and people just casually walking by. I saw more fights there that one week than I have my entire life. And even worse after these guys fight the cops (Policia militar) coming to break it up are even more violent. I'm pretty sure the situation hasn't improved.

And it had gotten ridiculously expensive for what I used to pay for accommodations. I got a total dump of a apartment for almost $2000 us for a month...but the + side was I was overlooking the street carnival, beach and ocean across from the lighthouse. Bringing girls back was easy.

The camarote is the safer but more expensive option.....and hotter looking girls go there, but I never partook in that. Every serious party oriented should do Salvador carnival at least once...I'm pretty sure there isn't a more insane party on earth.

[scotian]

(01-12-2017 07:04 AM)Banna Wrote:  

I have been to Salvador for carnival 4x ....2003, 2005, 2008 & 2009. I've had amazing times there. But my idea of amazing might not be yours. I loved being in the "pipoca" the first few times at carnival but 2009 was the last straw. Brochures tell you to join a bloco.

Why? Because what the tourist brochures don't tell you....its fucking violent! The first 2 years or so I went there was the odd fight. But 2009 was overwhelming and too much. Some fights with 20 to 30 guys beating the shit out of each other for no apparent reason whatsoever. There are 100s of fights breaking out and 1000s of guys getting arrested that week. I'm not exaggerating those numbers.

I saw 1 or 2 guys laying on the street unconscious and people just casually walking by. I saw more fights there that one week than I have my entire life. And even worse after these guys fight the cops (Policia militar) coming to break it up are even more violent. I'm pretty sure the situation hasn't improved.

And it had gotten ridiculously expensive for what I used to pay for accommodations. I got a total dump of a apartment for almost $2000 us for a month...but the + side was I was overlooking the street carnival, beach and ocean across from the lighthouse. Bringing girls back was easy.

The camarote is the safer but more expensive option.....and hotter looking girls go there, but I never partook in that. Every serious party oriented should do Salvador carnival at least once...I'm pretty sure there isn't a more insane party on earth.

Sounds like a party Rottenapple and I should hit up! I'll probably be in Barranquilla for the carnaval there this year, its ok, nothing too crazy.

[Franks]

(01-12-2017 07:04 AM)Banna Wrote:  

I have been to Salvador for carnival 4x ....2003, 2005, 2008 & 2009. I've had amazing times there. But my idea of amazing might not be yours. I loved being in the "pipoca" the first few times at carnival but 2009 was the last straw. Brochures tell you to join a bloco.

The camarote is the safer but more expensive option.....and hotter looking girls go there, but I never partook in that. Every serious party oriented should do Salvador carnival at least once...I'm pretty sure there isn't a more insane party on earth.

To pay that much per day at the Camarote, it'll break my wallet. Ranging from 1,400Reals to 2,400Reals.
Especially if I'm going solo.
I've met locals in other countries through my travels and I've found Brazilians chill to hang out with too. I bet I'll find some locals to meet up with.

And I would go for the street option. What about Samba schools, Sambadrome, and a parade? Was wondering if Salvador had this as well.

Man, I can only wonder how it's possible that they would go on all night till 5am.

[scotian]

^Booger sugar

[Banna]

(01-12-2017 07:14 AM)scotian Wrote:  

Sounds like a party Rottenapple and I should hit up! I'll probably be in Barranquilla for the carnaval there this year, its ok, nothing too crazy.

I really had the itch to go to Barranquilla for many years but unfortunately never got around to it. My buddy here went. He said it was very folkloric and low key but he had a good time. He really missed Salvador....he's actually Trinidadian and for him to write his homelands carnival off for good to be in Salvador (Trinidadians are extremely patriotic towards their home carnival) speaks volumes.

I highly recommend Salvador I've seen a few of your posts and you seem very adventurous and undaunted by "roughing it out". I'm in my 40s now and don't have the energy and willingness to be in that scene like I did back then. I went alone all 4 times.

But when I was younger??? I truly enjoyed the rush of getting run over and getting hit by cops charging through the crowds to break up the endless brawls. Being crushed like a sardine can on the street as if I was in a mosh pit at a heavy metal concert jumping around to music I had no idea what they were saying.

1 week of Carnival there is like if:

- Tomorrowland (there's a big EDM scene that week)
- Caribana (the route reminds me exactly of here in Toronto)
- Pampalona Running of the Bulls
- UFC (there is a huge fighting culture here...I can see why brazil is a hotbed for MMA talent,lol)

....all got thrown into a pot and placed in front of a beautiful beachfront Ocean. Muito Saudades.

[Banna]

(01-12-2017 01:43 PM)Franks Wrote:  

To pay that much per day at the Camarote, it'll break my wallet. Ranging from 1,400Reals to 2,400Reals.
Especially if I'm going solo.
I've met locals in other countries through my travels and I've found Brazilians chill to hang out with too. I bet I'll find some locals to meet up with.

And I would go for the street option. What about Samba schools, Sambadrome, and a parade? Was wondering if Salvador had this as well.

Man, I can only wonder how it's possible that they would go on all night till 5am.

The only thing Rio & Salvador have in common is they take place in the same country. I've never been to Rio so I can't vouch for there entirely. I've heard they have some street parties there....but not on the scale like Salvador.

There's no Samba in Salvador....I could care less how is a visitor going to learn to do that in such a short span?

The camarotes are VIP boxes overlooking the party. Unlimited food/alcohol. I've seen pics of some stunning women in there. These are all the moneyed elite Brazilians. Expect to pay $150 to $400 US a night. DJs & live bands.

But many girls are there with their boyfriends and I can't imagine the logistics of pulling a girl out of there through 100s of thousands of people to bring her to your place.

Me personally? I could never see myself in that crowd. I liked being on the street getting down n dirty with the faveladoes getting into trouble that can't afford any other way to party.

[DigitalNomad]

I'm doing Salvador and Rio this year. Booked hostels, reasonable prices, albeit inflated, but probably sold out now. I reserved them back in September.

[fvitterbi]

If any of you plan on going to Barranquilla this year for Carnival and want to meet up, I have posted a meet up,
Don Omar is performing on the 25th. thread-60970...rranquilla

[azulsombra]

Salvador is the move.

Camarotes are nice and full of talent, plus the girls feel safe there and you can relax without constantly watching your back and being paranoid about getting your money snatched. Food and drink are available and you have a great view of all the floats and chaos on the street below. All of the Camarotes aren't super expensive if you do some research and book in advance.

I can't see how anyone who isnt a young trained MMA fighter would want to be in the environment below where you have a high potential of getting jumped or stabbed by drunk and high Brazilian youths, unless you are rolling several guys deep. Even if you dont get in a fight or roughed up by the cops, you will likely be covered in grime, alcohol and piss from the street by the end of the night. Not my idea of a good time but everyone is different.

[rottenapple]

(01-12-2017 07:14 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(01-12-2017 07:04 AM)Banna Wrote:  

I have been to Salvador for carnival 4x ....2003, 2005, 2008 & 2009. I've had amazing times there. But my idea of amazing might not be yours. I loved being in the "pipoca" the first few times at carnival but 2009 was the last straw. Brochures tell you to join a bloco.

Why? Because what the tourist brochures don't tell you....its fucking violent! The first 2 years or so I went there was the odd fight. But 2009 was overwhelming and too much. Some fights with 20 to 30 guys beating the shit out of each other for no apparent reason whatsoever. There are 100s of fights breaking out and 1000s of guys getting arrested that week. I'm not exaggerating those numbers.

I saw 1 or 2 guys laying on the street unconscious and people just casually walking by. I saw more fights there that one week than I have my entire life. And even worse after these guys fight the cops (Policia militar) coming to break it up are even more violent. I'm pretty sure the situation hasn't improved.

And it had gotten ridiculously expensive for what I used to pay for accommodations. I got a total dump of a apartment for almost $2000 us for a month...but the + side was I was overlooking the street carnival, beach and ocean across from the lighthouse. Bringing girls back was easy.

The camarote is the safer but more expensive option.....and hotter looking girls go there, but I never partook in that. Every serious party oriented should do Salvador carnival at least once...I'm pretty sure there isn't a more insane party on earth.

Sounds like a party Rottenapple and I should hit up! I'll probably be in Barranquilla for the carnaval there this year, its ok, nothing too crazy.

Sounds like a blast, I´m starting boxing training now with my coach being the Nr.1 Ecuadorian boxer in history that participated in the Atlanta Olympics. Scotian, next year Salvador is on the list! I can´t believe I don´t have my brazilian flag yet.

[Banna]

(02-01-2017 10:04 AM)azulsombra Wrote:  

Salvador is the move.

Camarotes are nice and full of talent, plus the girls feel safe there and you can relax without constantly watching your back and being paranoid about getting your money snatched. Food and drink are available and you have a great view of all the floats and chaos on the street below. All of the Camarotes aren't super expensive if you do some research and book in advance.

I can't see how anyone who isnt a young trained MMA fighter would want to be in the environment below where you have a high potential of getting jumped or stabbed by drunk and high Brazilian youths, unless you are rolling several guys deep. Even if you dont get in a fight or roughed up by the cops, you will likely be covered in grime, alcohol and piss from the street by the end of the night. Not my idea of a good time but everyone is different.

I hope you have a blast and maybe talk about it on Roosh. I've never been in a camarote during my 4 times. Camarote Salvador looks like an insane party!! I have to try it if I ever go back.

About the 2nd paragraph.....I've been 4x times alone and waded through the crowds by myself and have never gotten into a altercation.....I've walked through 1000s of people many times squashed like a sardine can with a expensive camcorder all 4 times.

But that said....I've been footsteps away from people smashing each others' heads in. The pipoca is highly not recommended and not for the faint of heart. I'd rather not do carnival with a wing....where I go I don't want to hear any complaining or worry about someone else's safety.

But to me.... roaming the streets is the best way to meet girls during carnival. After the bloco finishes the 4-5 hr route....many girls want to still party and if tired and you have a spot on the route they're happy to come over instead of sleeping in their cramped rented hostels (pousadas) or commuting many miles home through hordes of people. Has led to a few scores for me.

It's not all doom and gloom on the streets....I'm just crazy enough to like the shittiest part of carnival there the most lol.

[Prince Charming]

Ive done carnival in Salvador. Over all imo carnival is overated. Everything is super expensive and the party is so so. Gay pride in Toronto is way better for parting and pickup imo.

[wp_sniper]

Hey man. I'm currently in Floripa. I'm looking to do a carnival and locals are saying this isn't the place for it. They agree Salvador is too dangerous and and Rio is best. What did your decide?

Btw I've booked the next 9 nights here and would love a wing if anyone is here!