Brazil’s biggest Carnival mixes ‘popcorn’ and peril
Salvador da Bahia’s Carnival has edged out Rio’s for the title of world’s biggest party (certified by Guinness World Records) mostly by dint of its reputation for spontaneity and authenticity. Paradoxically, these two qualities are available to the foreign tourist only with careful planning and a fair amount of cash. Airlines raise prices, and hotels impose in- flexible weeklong ‘‘Carnival packages’’ that begin in late February at roughly quadrupled rates.