(UPDATE: February 14th, 2012 - striking police in Salvador and Rio have reached an agreement over their pay claim and have returned to work. All officers will be back on duty for the official start of the festival on February 17th.)
Salvador, Brazil's 3rd largest city, and a destination popular with foreign carnival-goers seeking an alternative to Rio De Janeiro is in the grip of a violent crime wave.
A third of the city's 30,000 police are on strike, demanding a 50% pay rise, sparking a surge in murders, looting and petty crime. In the first 5 days of the police strike there were 78 murders - double the usual homicide rate.
The trouble reached a peak on Saturday February 4th 2012 when 5 people were murdered. Brazilian TV showed pictures of looted shops and evidence an area bank had been broken into. Local news media reported many pre-carnival concerts and events were cancelled because of the violence.
The provincial governor pleaded for help from the federal government and on Sunday 5th 2000 troops were deployed in the city, and were able to return some order to the streets.
Latest News
On Monday February 6th, protesters supporting the striking police clashed with troops outside Salvador's parliamentary building. According to the latin American Herald Tribune and other sources, rubber bullets were fired as soldiers tried to enter the building and arrest strike leaders.
The parliamentary building is located in the south-east of the city on Av Manoel Dias Silva, an area best avoided at present
(Click here for an interactive version of this map)
Carnival in Salvador
Salvador is famed for its carnival celebrations which rival Rio and is popular with foreign visitors. But city officials are concerned the violence will drive tourists away from celebrations this February 18 to 21st.
If you are intending to visit Salvador for the celebrations you should keep an eye on news reports (hopefully the pay dispute will be resolved before the party begins). If you're concerned you could contact your hotel and ask them what security precautions they are taking (and swap to a different hotel with better precautions if you're unhappy).
There are two main carnival parade routes in Salvador; Circuito Barra-Ondina, which travels 4km between the beachfront suburbs of Farol da Barra and Ondina. This is an area well known for beggars and pickpockets, so make sure to be on your guard.
If you’re looking for a slightly more subdued experience or simply a change of pace, the Circuito Batatinha, which winds through 6km of streets in Salvador’s historic centre, is geared a little more toward family groups, but don’t expect a drop in volume.
Whichever area you choose, this year could be the one not to brave the crowds and become what the locals call pipoca (popcorn), bustling along the route for free.
Safer to pay to watch the parade from exclusive clubs called camarotes along the route, or dance alongside a float in a roped-off, roaming bloco.
Related Articles
Staying Safe in Rio
A Guide to Rio's Favelas
About WorldNomads.com
WorldNomads.com keeps our members travelling safely by offering a range of travel services such as Travel Insurance to residents from over 140 countries, the latest travel safety advice, free travel blogs and language guides for your iPhone/ Ipods.
We also offer a range of exciting travel scholarships.
Whether you’re heading off for a long weekend, seeking the ultimate adventure or travelling around the world, we’re there with you, helping to keep you safe, covered and getting the most from your travel experience.
