An hour or two south of Recife, Porto de Galinhas was made for the not-so-extreme tourist. Raves one traveller, "It's what it doesn't have that makes it great:" no heavy traffic, no nightlife to speak of. Explore the natural tidal pools that form in the reef, feeding fish that swim all around you; or ride a dune buggy to romantic Muro Alto beach. Or skip all that and doze in a hammock by the warm, green, clear Atlantic.

From the picturesque canals and brightly painted colonial buildings of its old town to its skyscraper- and palm-fringed beaches, Recife’s skyline reflects its personality—a bold blend of traditionalism and modernism whose free spirit shines during its legendary Carnival celebrations.

Mangroves meet sandy beaches in laid-back Maragogi, a growing town whose locals and visitors both head to the sea for sunset drinks and socializing. The most sought-after treasures are off the coast, where the Gales de Maragogi marine reserve shelters crystal-clear ponds, coral reefs, and colorful fish.

Visitors have flocked to Abano Terme to soak in its thermal waters for more than 2,000 years. Situated on the outskirts of Padua, on the edge of the verdant Euganean Hills, the spa town is still popular among wellness seekers today.