Blumenau sits in a valley cut by the Itajaí-Açu River, surrounded by forested hills, in the Vale do Itajaí region of Santa Catarina. Its German heritage shows in the architecture, statues and memorials around town, and the Oktoberfest held every October is the second largest after Munich, drawing visitors from well beyond Brazil.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself. The city centre holds the historic core and the main concentration of places to stay, while the surrounding neighbourhoods spread into the hills and plains above the river. This guide covers the areas worth considering, what each suits, and how the choice changes with your budget.
Best areas to stay in Blumenau
1. Centro
The Centro is the city's historic core, where you find the traditional German-style houses and buildings, statues and memorials that reflect the city's heritage. It is also where the largest concentration of accommodation sits, with hotels found throughout the area. For a first visit this is the natural base: you are within the centre itself, close to its streets and buildings, and the rodoviário (bus station) is here as well.
One practical point to weigh: the lower areas, including the tall buildings of the city centre, are subject to flooding, and many residents prefer to live in the higher areas spread into the nearby hills and plains to avoid it. Noise is not a concern the sources raise for the centre, but the topography is.
2. Velha
Velha is a neighbourhood named in the sources as a location for hostel-style accommodation, with at least one hostel operating there. It suits budget travellers and those who prefer a quieter, more residential setting than the centre, and it is a reasonable option if you are travelling with a vehicle, since hostel-type places in this area list parking among their facilities.
Because it lies outside the centre, expect to travel in for the historic sights and the festival grounds rather than walking to them.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Hostels with dorms and private rooms, some with a swimming pool, outdoor dining area, air conditioning, parking and free wifi. Simple, locally run places are common, and outside Oktoberfest you will find economical hotels with double rooms including breakfast, cable TV and a private bathroom.
- Mid-range: Ordinary hotels in and around the centre, generally with private bathrooms and breakfast, and often comparable in quality to cheaper places despite a higher asking price.
- Splurge: The sources do not describe a distinct top tier of accommodation in Blumenau, so treat any premium pricing with caution and judge each place on what it actually offers.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the Centro. It puts you among the historic buildings, statues and memorials that give Blumenau its character, and it holds the greatest concentration of places to stay, so you have the widest choice without needing to travel in from elsewhere. It is also the most straightforward base if you are arriving by bus.
Frequently asked questions
When is it hardest to find a room in Blumenau?
During Oktoberfest in October, when the festival draws visitors in large numbers. At other times of year rooms are plentiful and it is a buyer's market.
Should I book budget accommodation online before arriving?
The sources note that inexpensive hotels in Blumenau are not readily found through search engines or hotel booking portals, which tend to return higher-priced options. Once you arrive you will find hotels everywhere, and a free tourist magazine listing hotels with their prices and addresses is available at the tourism office next to the rodoviário.
Do I need to worry about flooding where I stay?
The lower areas, including the city centre and its tall buildings, are subject to flooding, and many residents choose to live in the higher areas in the nearby hills and plains to avoid it. The city is well prepared against the threat, but it is worth knowing which part of town your accommodation sits in.
How do I get to Blumenau?
Most passengers use scheduled flights from Ministro Victor Konder International Airport in nearby Navegantes, and airlines operating there offer bus transfers to Blumenau at regular times. The local Quero-quero Airport is also served during Oktoberfest.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page before you commit.