Blumenau

The city of Blumenau in the southern province of Sana Catarina is known around the world for its many German immigrants. In the middle of Brazil you will find a place that is almost more German than it would be in Germany. There are half-timbered houses, traditional attire,

street signs and you will suddenly have the feeling that you were transported from Brazil to Germany in seconds. Blumenau is a popular place in the country, not just because of its slightly bizarre impression, but also because of its own Oktoberfest, the second largest beer festival in the world that is just like the Munich original.

The residents are proud of their past and maintain their image with slogans like coziness, cleanliness, order and that’s what Blumenau is also like. A cozy, clean, orderly German city surround by tropical rainforests. The city itself is one big attraction. In addition, there are some historical sites that can be visited. Worth seeing is the old steamer from the late 19th century, the many half-timbered houses, “Macuca” an old steam engine and so much more.

The town is beautifully situated on the river and you can visit several natural parks in the area.   You can go into the jungle with beautiful hiking trails through the streams and stick and stone. In the botanical garden you can see many different kinds of exotic plants. After a trip to the countryside you will surely be hungry and how should it be any different, you will be treated to special delicacies in Blumenau.

Those that love German cuisine will find everything delicious here. The dishes with beef, pork or chicken are seasoned and prepared just like you would expect from your grandmother. The “specialties” here are sausage, knuckle of pork, roast, sauerkraut, spaetzle and of course beer. Only late evenings in the disco do people secretly drink Caipirinha, but otherwise is beer the main drink in Blumenau. A visit to the beer garden which is connected to the city’s Beer Museum is a must.

An important part of the city’s economy is the yearly Oktoberfest that takes place here. Only the carnival in Rio is a bigger party and in Blumenau there are also a lot of parades with costumes.  Instead of half-naked dancers and hot Samba rhythms, though, the picture here consists of folk music and typical traditional attire. Of course people really party here and the beer flows in streams.

Of course you should also take excursions to the surrounding areas. The rental car is ready and all you have to do is go. Just drive nineteen miles to the east and then you will reach the blue-green coast of the Atlantic Ocean with its wonderful bays and sandy beaches. Those that are looking for more action should consider visiting Florianópolis on the island of Santa Catarina. The island is a wonderful vacation destination that leaves no wish unfulfilled. Miles of sandy beaches provide countless possibilities for all kinds of water sports. Evenings the one or other party is celebrated in the clubs and bars of Florianópolis.

A truly great trip is to go to the waterfalls of Foz do Iguaçu directly on the border of Paraguay and Argentina. In the middle of the jungle the water masses thunder down from a height of 262 feet almost 2 miles to the valley. An unbelievable sight, but with all the chaos that is found in the rainforest, you may find yourself yearning order and cleanliness. Then simply drive back and say: “Hello Blumenau!”