Though not as internationally acclaimed as Brazil’s major coastal cities, Maceió is beloved by locals for its relaxed downtown and picture-perfect shorelines to the north and south. Once a booming sugarcane port, its Old Town boasts colonial architecture and converted warehouses buzzing with lively dining and drinking options. Be sure to try a savory street-food delight called acarajé that’s a favorite throughout the state of Bahia. At breathtaking Gunga Beach, wander a meandering beachfront path offering idyllic views of emerald-hued water and white sand, stopping to browse local handicrafts that include renda, a traditional lace.