Tourist information offices are found at Rua XV de Novembro 420, at the corner of Rua Nereu Ramos (daily 9am-9pm; tel 047/326-1516), at the RodoviA?ria (daily 9am-6pm), and in the Prefeitura (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) at PraA§a Victor Konder. There's a German consulate at Rua Caetano Deeke 20 (11th floor).

Centrally located hotels are plentiful, so accommodation shouldn't pose a problem, except during the Oktoberfest. At the lower end of the price range, look no further than the wonderful Hotel Hermann (tel 047/322-4370; $10-20), an early twentieth-century enxaimel building in the heart of the city at Rua Floriano Peixoto 213, by the intersection with Rua Sete de Setembro. Another charming small German-style hotel, on Rua A?ngelo Dias, is the Christina Blumenau (tel 047/322-1198; $10-20), owned by a granddaughter of the town's founder. Blumenau's most expensive hotel is the Plaza Hering, Rua Sete de Setembro 818 (tel 047/326-1277; $50-70), but there are several other medium-priced hotels on the same road, including the GlA?ria at no. 954 (tel 047/326-1988; $35-50). If you want to stay with a German-speaking family, contact the tourist information office.

The cheaper hotels don't serve breakfast , but a superb one - a $5 buffet affair - can be found at the CafA© Haus in the Hotel GlA?ria. The same place also serves the best cakes in Blumenau and is an excellent spot for afternoon tea. In general, though, food in Blumenau is poor and largely takes the form of snacks to accompany beer.

There are several German restaurants , by far the most pleasant-looking being the Frohsinn (closed Sun). The food here is not at all special (it's fairly expensive and the service is poor), but the location - on a beautiful, cool, pine-clad hill with excellent views over the city - makes the journey worthwhile. It's a bit of an effort to get there: from PraA§a HercA­lio Luz, walk for about fifteen minutes along Rua ItajaA­ and turn right on Rua Gertrud Sierich - the restaurant is at the top of this very steep road. Nearer to the centre, huge portions of passable German food are served at the Cavalinho Branco, Alameda Rio Branco 165, but it's accompanied by loud Teutonic music. If you're sick of pork, cross the bridge to the Restaurante Moinho do Vale at Rua Paraguai 66, which serves more typically Brazilian and international food. It's rather expensive but worth it for the beautiful setting overlooking the river. If you're craving something really different, there are several cheap Chinese restaurants - one of the best is the ChinA?s at Rua XV de Novembro 346.

You could also take a dinner cruise down the river. Cruises depart at noon, 4pm and 8pm (dinner served on 8pm cruise only) from Avenida Castelo Branco, near the intersection with Rua Nereu Ramos - the two-hour paddle-steamer excursion costs from $7, food extra.