How to Survive Carnival

Around this time last February I was dancing in the streets of Bahia, soaking up the sights and sounds of Carnival, and keeping hydrated with 50 cent cans of Brazil brewed Skol Beer. This year, well I am sitting behind a desk nine hours a day, but hey we all have to grow up some time. While the Carnival of Light was one of the best times of my life, it is not for the faint of heart. Looking past the music and dancing, its hard to miss the packed to the brim hostels, pick pocketers, and serious cases of travelers diarrhea. But not to fear, experiance has taught me how to avoid those inconvenient mishaps.

Remember to book your hotel early and through a reliable source. Sure the idea of landing in South America with nothing but your back pack and Brazilian reals may sound adventurous and romantic, but trust me there is nothing sexy about sharing a room with a dozen other sweaty, smelly travelers and God knows how many prehistoric insects. Finding a good hotel beforehand can make the difference between a great trip and an awful one. Travel sites like hotels.com and futurevacations.travel are good places to start.

Most westerners that venture to Carnival will at some point feel like they are walking around with giant bulls eyes on their forehands. In the four short days I spent in Brazil I was pick pocketed twice, had four friends robbed at knife point, and two at gun point. While it may be a buzz kill to have to think about these things when you just want to have a good time, its important not to let yourself become an easy target. Before you hit the streets remember: do not wear any jewelry. That includes earrings girls, ear lobes have been riped in half for $10 silver hoops. Put everything you have in a money belt that you wear under your clothes. Don't leave money in your pockets and definitely don't carry a purse. Try to stay as close to the action as possible, no wandering off to the beach for an evening stroll. Also, avoid the street food if you can help it. That seafood gumbo may look good under the cover of night, but trust me it wont the next morning.

Don't let these risks deter from experiencing Carnival. Brazil is beautiful places and Carnival was one of the greatest experiance of my life. It brings people together like nothing else in the world does. The entire country shuts down for four days a year so its inhabits can eat, drink, dance and celebrate life. With something like that to look forward to, the grind of the other 361 days a year would be worth it.