*Prices will change due to availability ** Packages can be customized, as long as it is within the dates of the package *** Payment Plans Are Available **** If you are traveling alone, we can try to find you a roommate to save cash. Fill out our Roommate Request Form.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 (Mar. 03, 2011 - Thursday) - Depart from the United States to Salvador, Bahia
Day 2 (Mar. 04, 2011 - Friday) - Arrive in Salvador, early Afternoon. Check into your respective hotels and then meet group for brief orientation. This night is a night of the Camarote Party.
Day 3 (Mar. 05, 2011 - Saturday) - Free day to relax at hotel pool, beach, or see the sights. You can also join the Carnival staff and other group members at various festivities throughout the day or choose an optional tour. Meet at destination point and head over to the BLOCO.
Day 4 (Mar. 06, 2011 - Sunday) - Free day to relax. Night of Camarote Party. Group will meet at Camarote at 10 PM and party until ???
Day 5 (Mar. 07, 2011 - Monday) - Free day. Tonight is a night in where you can choose if you want a CAMAROTE, a BLOCO, or JUST CHILL AND GET YOUR ENERGY FOR RIO. We decided to make this night an optional party night to give you some rest before FAT TUESDAY. We will be providing you some options you can purchase before your trip.
FAT TUESDAY!!! (Mar. 08, 2011) - Free day. Meet at destination point and head over to the BLOCO.
Carnival in Salvador, Bahia - Carnival in Bahia is the best in Brazil. Millions of people hit the streets to celebrate the biggest party in the world. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this is the biggest street party in the world. Everyone who's ever gone to Salvador for Carnival has stories of partying, meeting people and leaving the party just to return to the party later for another round and it goes on all night long for 5 days. So, prepare yourself to get some rest during the day so you can be in the streets all night long. Unlike Carnival in Rio, where most of the festivities are in bleachers and balls throughout the city, you get to actually participate in the Carnival in Salvador. If you like humungous street parties, Salvador, Bahia is the place you want to be. It's a crowd participation party as parades of live bands on big tall floats with powerful sound systems roll through the city and endless crowds of partiers follow along dancing and drinking until the point of passing out. Tours Gone Wild already includes these parties in your package!!!
Flight Time: Salvador: Direct flight from Miami (8 hrs), Most flights have to connect in Sao Paulo, which is a 2 hour flight to Salvador
Main Airports: Salvador - Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA)
Language: Portuguese
Weather: 80’s – 90’s F
Currency: Real, 1.80 – 2.20 Reals to the US Dollar
Population: Salvador – 3 Million (5 million during Carnival)
Tourist Attractions: Salvador – Pelourinho (Historic Center), Mercado Modelo
Salvador Carnival Pictures:
Carnival Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do you go to Carnival in Salvador and NOT to Rio de Janeiro? We offer a package for Carnival in Salvador because it is simply the best party in Brazil. Salvador is where Brazilians go for Carnival not like Rio where its mainly tourists and only watching a parade go by. In Salvador you are IN the party as opposed to sitting and watching it as in Rio!! Do your research and ask a Brazilian!!
Is this El Salvador in Central America? NO!! Salvador is a city in the Northeast of Brazil. It is called Salvador, Bahia – not El Salvador in Central America. The city is located about 900 miles from Rio and is a historic coastal city with a population of about 1 million residents.
What are the parties like in Salvador? Parties in Salvador are all Street Parties with thousands of people going wild in moveable parties called “blocos”. and Camarotes. These blocos feature some of Brazil's hottest bands and stars singing live on top of huge trucks inside the blocos. (some artists in recent years have been Shakira, as well as U2!!!) The second type of parties are called “Camarotes.” Camarotes are grandstand parties similar to clubs that overlook the blocos along the parade routes.
Why is Carnival in Salvador much more expensive than Rio? Aren't the street parties free in Salvador? No!! In Salvador, you must purchase tickets or party shirts known as “abadas” in order to attend any party. Street parties are roped off by security and you must purchase the abadas (included in our package) in order to gain entry. Abadas range in cost from USD$50 per shirt all the way to over USD$500 per shirt per person per night!!! (you can see people on our site wearing the colorful tank tops/abadas if you click HERE ). Abadas are in very high demand and are very difficult to purchase. TGW purchases all abadas ONE YEAR in advance of Carnival every year!!!
What quality level of abadas do you offer? Our Carnival package offers an EXCELLENT level of abadas (over $150 per shirt) for some of the best parties Carnival in Salvador has to offer. Remember, the better the party, the more upscale the crowd, the better the band, and the safer the bloco!! What is Carnival like in Rio de Janeiro? Carnival in Rio is basically watching the samba schools parade at a place called the Sambodromo. Samba schools feature people in costumes and parade floats and samba music. The spectacle is very cool, but it is really something that people only go watch one night and not something that you can typically participate in unlike Salvador.
Do you offer packages to Rio during Carnival? Of course, we offer packages to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. We also consider Carnival in Rio as one of the best parties in the world, but we always aim to provide our clients with the most fun & local experience. This is why we offer the two best Carnivals in Brazil.
I can't get 10 days off or work for the 10 day package what do you recommend? If you cannot do the 10 day package you can either attend the first half of the 10 days (Salvador only for Carnival), Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or you can also attend the 2nd ½ of the trip (Rio for the Winner's Parade). Most people that travel with us do the 10 days as it is the best value for your money.
What is Rio like AFTER Carnival? Wouldn't I be missing out by not going to Rio Carnival? Absolutely not!! Rio after Carnival is a great time to go to Rio! Clubs are back open again, prices are less expensive, and you can also attend the “Winner's Parade.”
What is the “Winner's Parade”? The “Winner's Parade” is a Carnival parade at the Sambodromo in Rio exactly the same as the parades during Rio Carnival. The Winner's Parade celebrated the winning samba school from Rio Carnival and is held the Saturday AFTER Carnival in Rio – precisely when we are in Rio!!! You can catch this parade while in Rio and basically get both Carnival's in one trip!!!
What if I am from overseas? What can be done about the flights? If you are coming from overseas, we can either sell you a “LAND ONLY” package, which includes everything but the airfare or sell you the complete itinerary from your respective city.
Do I have to book everything right now and pay in full? No. Typically you need about $1,100 to $1,400 to book and we can spread the remaining payments until November or December. If you wait until, November or December, we may be able to split the payments in two.
What kinds of services/assistance does TGW offer while in Carnival? TGW offers 24 hour assistance to all clients on our trips. We have 1 staff bilingual (Portuguese/English) staff member for every 10 people on the trip. Staff members are always highly visible and available inside all street parties/clubs/camarotes and are there to assist you in any way (translating, emergencies.... anything!!!) This is especially important in Salvador as there are very little non-Brazilian tourists and English is not widely spoken by any means!!!
What is the Carnival group like every year? (size/ages/sex/nationality,etc?) Every year our group is capped off at 100 people. As far as composition of the group, typically our clients are between 24 and 35 years old. The group is a mix of guys, girls, couples and are from all over the country. We also have many repeat clients and clients from Canada, Australia and other countries all over the world!!
I am travelling alone. Can you find me a roommate? Yes. Every year we have about 20 people that travel alone that are looking for a roommate so they do not have to pay the single price. If you are interested in finding a roommate please contact us and we can provide you a list of potential roommates. To fill out a roommate request form, click here.
All of the accommodations offered on our site have been personally inspected by Tours Gone Wild to uphold the utmost quality standards of our travelers. We base our selection on Service, Cleanliness, and Location. Tours Gone Wild offers 5 star, 4 star, & 3 star accommodations.
If you want to relax with a fresh strawberry daiquiri cocktail and the sounds of carnival, then the Vila Galé Hotel, Salvador, is the perfect holiday spot, supplying you with heaps of sunshine too! Situated near the dreamy white sands and natural pools of Praia de Ondina beach, in a bay sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean, it's hard to believe that this stunning 5 star hotel is less than 20 minutes drive from Salvador International Airport.
Star Level:4 | Location: Porto de Barra Beach | Popularity: 1
Located near the beach, Hotel Sol Barra is an outstanding Porto da Barra beach hotel in Salvador, Brazil. . The hotel is also within easy reach of Salvador's downtown area, as well as the city's historic centre, Pelourinho . In close proximity to golden beaches and the busy city centre, this 4 star Salvador hotel is a good choice for both holidaymakers and business travelers alike.
Star Level:3 | Location: Jardim de Alah Beach | Popularity: 1
The Bahiamar Hotel is a 3 star property featuring 128 rooms. The hotel is conveniently located in front of the Jardim de Alah Beach. It is close to the convention center, Aeroclube Plaza (Mall), restaurants and only 8 miles from the parade circuit. The hotel also features a great restaurant that offers national and international cuisine.
Tours Gone Wild is focused on giving you the vacation of a lifetime. That is why we chose Salvador, Bahia and not Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. More Brazilians go to Salvador, Bahia for Carnival than any other city in Brazil. They go there to party for 5 days 24 hours a day. So you can just imagine the parties you will be experiencing by purchasing our package.
What's Included in the VIP Service:
In Salvador: (4 Nights, See the description of the parties below)
2 Nights of Camarote (Grand Stand) Parties (1 Camarote will be all-inclusive – food & drinks)
2 Nights of Bloco Street Parties
24/7 On Location Staff & Bi-lingual Guides
Why Do you Need TGW in Brazil for Carnival?
Less Stress – By booking your package with us, everything is already set up. Hotels and flights always sell out and you can only purchase the parties in Brazil. So instead of dealing with different suppliers and doing hours of research, all you have to do is book with us.
More Bang for your Buck - We have preferential rates with all of our suppliers, so you will be getting an incredible deal.
Access to some of the best parties – We provide you with some of Carnival in Salvador’s best parties. We do not disclose the parties until you purchase your package, but you are guaranteed to be at the top 5 parties for Carnival.
Safety – Carnival in Brazil can be unsafe if you do not know what you are doing. There are millions of people on the street and you do have locals that are on the look out to take advantage of tourists. We have staff members available to you 24/7 and have bi-lingual guides with you at each of the parties. We also give you an orientation on Day 1 giving you recommendations and advice on what to expect.
Cool People – We usually have a group of 100 plus. Everyone becomes friends and looks out for each other. You will literally meet party animals from all over the world!
Party Pictures:
How are the parties?
Camarotes (2 nights) - Camarotes are the VIP Parties during Carnival. They are elevated bandstands, where you can party and watch the Blocos/Trios passing by at eye level. The camarotes are equipped with great music, dance floors, dj's, food, bar, and of course beautiful Brazilian singles!!!!
Blocos (2 nights) - The Blocos are formed by a giant sound car that carry the bands called Trio Eletrico and a support car with bathrooms, drinks and medical assistance. The Bloco is surrounded by a rope guarded by almost 1000 security members specially oriented to protect people inside (associate) and keep non authorized people from getting in. Each Bloco consists of more than 3000 people that are easily identified by their uniform called Abada. The singers and the band sing along the Avenues of Salvador with a very exciting crowd, dancing and having fun. The parade route is about 4 Kilometers.
Music: Axe Music (a-shay) – Brazilian Pop, mixed with African beats
Dress Code: Salvador – We provide you with the party shirts (abadas), shorts and tennis shoes
Times: Salvador – Parties will range from 4pm – 10pm until ???
By traveling with Tours Gone Wild, your parties are already set. Unfortunately during Carnival there are limited activities in Salvador because most of the streets are closed. We do recommend relaxing during the day by the pool or beach as you will be partying hard and the nights will be long. Salvador Activities range from a Beach Day to extra parties during Carnival in Salvador.
Salvador Activities:
Day at the Beach Type: Chilling Price: $55.00 City: Salvador
Salvador, Bahia has miles of beaches. The beaches that are located closer to Barra or Ondina neighborhoods are not that beautiful and can get very crowded on weekends. The best beaches in Salvador are located about 30 - 45 minutes from the city. A big problem our clients experienced last year was not getting to these beaches, but finding a ride back because there is limited transportation. These beaches offer pristine water, a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of eye candy and tons of little restaurants to get lunch. This is definitely a great daily activity that gives you a no-hassle option of going to the beach and getting back to the parties on time!!! Activity Includes: Round-trip Transportation and Guide
Extra Camarote Parties Type: Partying Price: Starting at $145.00 Offered: Feb. 13, 15, & 16 City: Salvador
Optional Camarote parties will be offered for the two nights that you will have the bloco street parties as well as your free night. Most of the blocos will end between 10pm – 12am, so if you want to continue partying in a Camarote afterwards instead of on the street. It’s wise to purchase this option. The Camarote offered is one of the best and the biggest grandstands of the city. It includes multiple dance floors, access to one of the best views of the carnival parade, beauty salon, massage salon, cine make-out, on-site discotheque, Japanese restaurant, food court, chill-out lounge and much more.
Extra Bloco Type: Partying Price: Starting at $200.00 Offered: Feb. 15, 2009 City: Salvador
We will be offering an extra bloco for the party animals that want to party on the street on their free night. The price will only include the entrance into the party. We will not have guides in this bloco. You will already be accustomed to Carnival by this time, so you will know what to expect.
We offer these additional services for your vacation to Rio
Visa Procesing Price: Starting @ US$ 50.00
All US Citizens need visas to travel to Brazil. We currently do not provide Visa Processing Services for Brazil, but we partner up with the most trust-worthy company in the Visa Processing Industry. Please CLICK HEREand follow the visa processing steps.If for some reason you need direct assistance, call 1-800-222-2589 and make sure to give them the discount code "AFFTGW" to get a small discount on your processing.
Travel Insurance
Price: Varies on different factors ie age, trip cost, etc (CLICK HERE to price it out)
Travel Insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone that travels with Tours Gone Wild. You never know what can happen before or during your trip. We partner up with the best Travel Insurance company in the industry to make sure our clients are taken care of. Examples of coverages include Trip Cancellation (Covers full cost of trip if you have to cancel because of a death in the family, medical reasons, etc). CLICK HERE to check out all of the policies.
Cell Phone Rental Price: $10/day
Having a local number in Rio de Janeiro is essential. If there is any emergency or question, you can contact your local TGW contact any time or give that number to your friends & family in the US for them to contact you. International roaming rates can be from 2 - 4 dollars per minute, so this is definitely a less expensive option. It's also a good way for the Brazilian friends you meet on the trip to contact you while in Rio de Janeiro. Cell phone includes the cell phone, charger, & all incoming calls free. You will need to purchase a phone card to add minutes to your phone while in Brazil for your outgoing calls.
These are some packages that you can add on to the current package. They are pretty close geographically so they are great additions if you want to stay longer and check out other parts of the world. We've also included other special events related to this package or in close proximity just in case you want to check them out instead.
The Ultimate Carnival Package is by far one of the best Brazilian Carnival travel packages in the industry. You basically get 2 Carnivals in one trip as the package includes 5 Nights in Salvador, Bahia for Carnival followed by 4 nights in Rio de Janeiro for some post-Carnival partying. Brazilians consider Salvador, Bahia as the best and most fun Carnival in the country. Rio de Janeiro is also a great, but with this package you have the option to check out the Winner's Parade the Saturday after Carnival.
Rio de Janeiro Carnival is a wild 4-day celebration. Year after year it starts on Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday. It normally takes place in February, which is right in the middle of Summer and Brazil's hottest month. For Brazilians, Carnival is a celebration to let loose and release their inhibitions before Ash Wednesday. Rio Carnival mainly consists of the Samba Parade, Scala Balls, & Street Parties.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one of if not the most amazing city in the world. It has everything you want and need for a vacation of a lifetime. La cidade de Maravilha (the Marvellous city) is famous for being the party capital of the world and draws more tourism than just about anywhere. From mind-blowing scenery and incredible beaches to wild nightlife and beautiful people, this city will never disappoint.
Known as the most charming beach resort in Brazil. Buzios is the ideal add-on trip to your Rio de Janeiro Package because of its proximity to the city (2 hr drive), incredible beaches, restaurants, nightlife & bohemian lifestyle. The package includes round-trip transfers from Rio de Janeiro & hotel accommodations.
Nestled between the Argentine and Brazilian borders (and a stone's throw from Paraguay), Iguazu Falls are among the worlds biggest waterfalls. Twice as wide and much higher than Niagra falls and only second in size to Africa's Victoria Falls, Iguazu is a breathtaking place to visit. Whether you want to relax between a party tour of Rio or Buenos Aires or do some Eco-tourism, Iguazu is a great add-on for any package to Brazil or Argentina and a once in a lifetime destination.
Amazon Packages can be purchased on their own or as "add ons" to your South America vacation with us. The Amazon Adventure packages include one night in the city of Manaus plus your choice of either a jungle lodge stay or a cruise down the Amazon.
Amazon Packages can be purchased on their own or as "add ons" to your South America vacation with us. You can select from a city stay in Manaus (the base city for all Amazon packages) with daily excursions to the Amazon or you can opt for a Jungle Lodge or Clipper Cruise for a more "hand's on" experience.
With a population of 13 million people, Buenos Aires is Latin America's third largest city and is one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. Buenos Aires blends arts, fashion, sports, and nightlife to achieve the perfect combination of sophistication and fun. The city has also been described as the "Paris" of South America for its European style and architecture.
6538 Collins Ave #370 Miami Beach, FL 33141 Local Phone: (786) 522-3667 Toll Free: 1.877.456.WILD(9453) UK Phone: +44 20 33719356 Mon - Fri, 9:00am - 6:30pm EST
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The Ultimate Carnival Package is by far one of the best Brazilian Carnival travel packages in the industry. You basically get 2 Carnivals in one trip as the package includes 5 Nights in Salvador, Bahia for Carnival followed by 4 nights in Rio de Janeiro for some post-Carnival partying. Brazilians consider Salvador, Bahia as the best and most fun Carnival in the country. Rio de Janeiro is also a great, but with this package you have the option to check out the Winner's Parade the Saturday after Carnival.
Rio de Janeiro Carnival is a wild 4-day celebration. Year after year it starts on Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday. It normally takes place in February, which is right in the middle of Summer and Brazil's hottest month. For Brazilians, Carnival is a celebration to let loose and release their inhibitions before Ash Wednesday. Rio Carnival mainly consists of the Samba Parade, Scala Balls, & Street Parties.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one of if not the most amazing city in the world. It has everything you want and need for a vacation of a lifetime. La cidade de Maravilha (the Marvellous city) is famous for being the party capital of the world and draws more tourism than just about anywhere. From mind-blowing scenery and incredible beaches to wild nightlife and beautiful people, this city will never disappoint.
Known as the most charming beach resort in Brazil. Buzios is the ideal add-on trip to your Rio de Janeiro Package because of its proximity to the city (2 hr drive), incredible beaches, restaurants, nightlife & bohemian lifestyle. The package includes round-trip transfers from Rio de Janeiro & hotel accommodations. 
Nestled between the Argentine and Brazilian borders (and a stone's throw from Paraguay), Iguazu Falls are among the worlds biggest waterfalls. Twice as wide and much higher than Niagra falls and only second in size to Africa's Victoria Falls, Iguazu is a breathtaking place to visit. Whether you want to relax between a party tour of Rio or Buenos Aires or do some Eco-tourism, Iguazu is a great add-on for any package to Brazil or Argentina and a once in a lifetime destination.
Amazon Packages can be purchased on their own or as "add ons" to your South America vacation with us. The Amazon Adventure packages include one night in the city of Manaus plus your choice of either a jungle lodge stay or a cruise down the Amazon.
Amazon Packages can be purchased on their own or as "add ons" to your South America vacation with us. You can select from a city stay in Manaus (the base city for all Amazon packages) with daily excursions to the Amazon or you can opt for a Jungle Lodge or Clipper Cruise for a more "hand's on" experience.
With a population of 13 million people, Buenos Aires is Latin America's third largest city and is one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. Buenos Aires blends arts, fashion, sports, and nightlife to achieve the perfect combination of sophistication and fun. The city has also been described as the "Paris" of South America for its European style and architecture.