Olinda

Olinda takes 1 day to see: walking up the cobblestone streets of the historic center, with Baroque churches and colorful colonial houses on a hill facing the sea, up to the Alto da Sé lookout, is the main reason to visit. September-January brings the driest weather. It's inexpensive by Brazilian standards. Founded in 1535, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and neighbor to Recife, and its street Carnival -with giant papier-mâché «bonecos» parading through its streets- is considered one of Brazil's most authentic and least commercial.