Visiting Blumenau was not even close to my plans when I planned my visit to Brazil. I didn’t even know this city existed (I mean, Brazil is massive; I barely knew about Rio, Iguaçu, and São Paulo). But, of course, every time you visit a new country, as you’re there, you start to discover new places, and locals help by recommending spots.
I happened to be in Brazil during the month of October, specifically the week when Oktoberfest in Blumenau started. I was in Balneário Camboriú (the Dubai of Brazil). All I saw were ads about the largest Oktoberfest in the Americas, and I thought, “Why not?” I had never been to Oktoberfest in Germany, so why not experience it here in Brazil?
Getting There from Balneário Camboriú
So I made up my mind and took a bus from Balneário Camboriú to Blumenau. It was about a 1.5-hour ride. The one-way bus ticket was about 8 USD, and I booked it at the terminal with the Catarinense company. Catarinense was the bus company I used while traveling in Brazil. To be honest, I really liked their service. I don’t know about people coming from developed countries, but for me, as a Colombian, the service was excellent (just avoid the seats next to the bus bathroom).
Accommodation
Okay, I have to admit that by this point in my travels, I was tired of staying at hostels. I needed my own room, so I booked two nights at the IBIS Budget in Blumenau, which had a great location close to Villa Germânica, where all the Oktoberfest activities took place.
I didn’t see many options for hostels in this city, but there were a few you can check out.
How Long is the Largest Oktoberfest in the Americas and how many Days to Stay?
Oktoberfest lasts about two weeks, and there is live music every day, along with activities, German food, Brazilian food, and plenty of dancing and singing with everyone. For me, it was just wonderful. And of course, there were beer stands everywhere; I actually felt like I was in Europe.
I only enjoyed Oktoberfest for one night, as I had to make my way to São Paulo because my time to return home was close.
I came to this Oktoberfest by myself, and to be honest, it felt very nice. People were friendly; everyone was dancing without looking at others, minding their own business. The whole city had a great atmosphere; you could find places to buy beer everywhere, with people sitting outside, drinking, chatting, and the entire city was organized for this.
Where to Get Information on the Festival
To get information on the exact dates of the festival in October, you can visit their website and social media. If you happen to be in the south of Brazil in October, I highly recommend attending this festival—it’s loads of fun!!!