Salvador (6): Farol da Barra (Barra´s Lighthouse)

Salvador (6): Farol da Barra (Barra´s Lighthouse) and the Carnival

One of the most remarkable constructions of Salvador is the Farol da Barra (Barra´s Lighthouse), in the extreme point of the city embracing the bay. 

Farol da Barra - Barra´s Lighthouse - Salvador - BA- Brazil

The point gives name to the neighbourhood, which during carnival hosts one of the circuits to the trios elétricos (electric trios), i.e., the big trucks with giant speakers carrying famous singers or music groups and their bands of bahianan music.  

Carnival here is quite different from Rio, as the music here is mainly the axé, a kind of pop, rapid sound, different from samba. There´s not an organised parade, but people following the trucks with their most loved singers. To get close to the trucks, one must buy an abadá, a kind of big T-shirt with the name of the band. With the abadá, you can stay inside the cordon. Most famous ones are quite expensive. They aren´t costumes as in Rio, it is just an allowance if you want to parade alongside the truck of a certain band or group.  

Carnival in Salvador gets very crowded, and I would recommend more for young people. You can also stay in camarotes, private areas specially built for the carnival period, with much more comfort than joining the crowds in the streets. The options depends on the kind of fun and confort you want to have, and how much you´re willing to pay.