Top alternative Brazilian carnivals

The Rio de Janeiro carnival starts on the Friday, 20th February 2009 and finishes on Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday”, on 24th February – it promises, as ever, to be a hedonistic riot of samba and sequins famous the world over.

However, with an expected 500,000 foreign visitors alone, it can be a huge challenge to find accommodation. So, why not try something new? After all, carnival isn’t just celebrated in Brazil’s most recognisable city – towns all over the diverse country pride themselves on putting on just as thrilling a show.

Here are some suggestions:

Salvador – The tropical Baroque city by the sea

Once the most important city of Portugal’s empire, Salvador de Bahía has preserved its heritage well – baroque churches and colonial architectural gems can be seen everywhere you look, as can the centuries-old African cultural traditions of the slaves who were brought to Brazil centuries ago. Salvador’s Carnival is a proud display of Bahía culture, with floats carrying Afro-Brazilian drummers, and colourfully decorated trucks (trio-elétricos) - equipped with powerful loud speakers, stage singers and dancers of the region’s axé and pagode pop music.

Blow the Budget – Pestana Convento do Carmo (pestana.com)
Located in the picturesque district of Pelourinho in Salvador, the Pestana Convento do Carmo belongs to the traditional Pousadas de Portugal hotel group. Over the centuries, it has been the stage for major historical events and today it is Brazil’s first luxury historic hotel. The striking colonial architecture of the hotel blends with graceful furniture and works of art to provide an unforgettable experience for guest.
Prices start from around £110 per night.

On a Budget – Hotel Bahia Othon Palace (othonhotels.com)
The Hotel Bahia Othon Palace is located beside approximately 50km of beaches and one third of the shores of the All Saints’ Bay. With the tropical climate and the ocean breeze you will perfectly at ease in this seaside paradise, and for those more adventurous sorts there is plenty of scope for practicing your watersports! Prices start from around £60 per night.

Olinda – An intimate location boasting a glimpse of Brazil’s fascinating history

The narrow streets of the beautiful coastal town of Olinda in the State of Pernambuco (just a little way from Recife) make for a much more intimate carnival experience than Brazil’s bigger cities, with visitors and locals alike shaking their stuff to the frenetic rhythms of the frevo bands, who play from 8pm to 6am every night. This cheeky carnival kicks off with a float carrying 400 men – jokingly called ‘virgins’ - dressed in drag, who compete for awards for the most risqué, the most beautiful and the biggest prude.

Blow the Budget – Pousada do Amparo (pousadadoamparo.com.br)
The Pousada do Amparo is located in the city of Olinda in the Amparo neighbourhood. The inn of Do Amparo is very charming, decorated in a typical Brazilian style throughout from the reception to the beautiful grounds. The Inn has twelve apartments all with air conditioning and some with a Jacuzzi. The views of nearby Recife and Amparo Street are breathtaking. Price start at around £150 per night.

On a Budget – Sete Colinas (hotel7colinas.com.br)
The modern architecture of the hotel blends well with the colonial style of the city.
The hotel, spread out among the centennial trees, offers a small library, laundry services, internet access and private parking. Priced around £65 a night.

Trancoso - Porto Seguro: A place to relax just a stones throw from the festivities

Trancoso is a small fishermen's town in the northeastern part of the vast Brazilian coast. Surrounded by untouched tropical forests with turquoise bays and white sand beaches, Trancoso is a delightful backdrop for kite and wind surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and swimming, or simply relaxing at one of the many hotels or Bed 'n Breakfasts available. Your carnival fix is a stone’s throw away, with popular Porto Seguro just a 10min ferry ride from the seaside resort. The Carnival prides itself as one of Brazil’s wildest, with risqué costumes and plenty of Samba and Lambada this is not a party for the faint-hearted!

Blow the Budget – Pousada Etnia (etniabrasil.com.br/)
Pousada Etnia is a haven of relaxation. Decorated with traditional tribal artefacts and offering modern and comfortable accommodation, the hotel offers great service and a range of activities in a truly idyllic setting. One nights stay costs around £119.

On a Budget – Mata N’ativa Pousada (matanativapousada.com.br/)
A very reasonably priced hotel which is set in the heart of Trancoso just 5 minutes away from the beach and historic centre. Inspired by Brazil’s fabulous forests, the hotel offers a truly botanic experience alongside modern and comfortable quarters. Prices start from £50 per night.

Florianopolis – A thriving island paradise home to some of music’s biggest names

The southern region Santa Catarina is famous for its surfing beaches and beautiful people, so it’s no wonder that a thriving club scene has grown up in the capital Florianópolis. Carnival in Floripa, as it’s affectionately known, coincides with the peak surfing season, so expect a busy beach scene by day and sets by international house and techno DJs by night. The city’s sambodrome also puts on extravagant displays by the four biggest samba schools on the island, so you won’t miss out on the traditional samba and sequins.

Blow the Budget – Sofitel Florianopolis (sofitel.com)
A 5 star hotel which offers all the mod cons, including fantastic restaurants, spa, sauna, pool and plenty of cocktails! Prices start from £69.

On a Budget - Pousada Beira do Mar (pousadabeiradomar.com.br)
A beachside getaway decorated in traditional Brazilian style, has a real homey feel to it. Ideal for whiling away the days ready for some partying in the evenings! Prices start from just £36 a night.