Plan ahead. Brazil requires a tourist visa even for short visits, so check out the nearest Brazilian consulate for instructions. Also, Carnival officially begins 40 days before Easter, so the actual dates vary from year to year. Check your calendar and be sure to book a flight and hotel far in advance as this is peek tourist season in Brazil.
Spend at least a week in Salvador during Carnival season, especially if you love to party. Carnival in this city is one big block party that generally lasts from Thursday to Ash Wednesday.
Buy an abada (costume). If you really want to go native you'll need to dress the part. Besides, it makes for a good souvenir. They are available online as well as in most department stores in Salvador.
Attend a street parade called a trio-eletrico or bloco. This is the main event in Salvador so you may want to attend more than one. Each trio-eletrico features live music played by some of Brazil's top artists. Also, each trio-eletrico follows a different course through the city, so you can see a different part of Salvador.
Check out one of the afro-blocos or afoxes, which feature music by local Bahian (Salvador is the capital of the state, Bahia) artists that play axe, ijexa and other African-inspired rythmns. These blocos often feature people dressed in African costumes as well.
Find a barraca (literally, shack), a kind of portable bar, stationed along the beach. Drink a caipirinha, Brazil's signature cocktail that's a mix of lime juice, sugar and cachaca (hard whiskey distilled from sugar cane). Relax as you listen to the music blaring from the giant speakers lined up near each barraca or dance and flail about like all the other drunks.
