Bacabal, Brazil

With a population of just under 100,000, this unassuming city in Brazil's Maranhão state offers little in the way of glamour or excitement. The city proper is home to around 104,600 residents, making it a modest provincial hub rather than a major metropolitan center. One persistent headache for newcomers is the bureaucracy, as Bacabal serves as the seat of the local Roman Catholic Diocese. The city's location about 250 km south of the state capital of São Luís also means it lacks the cosmopolitan vibrancy of larger Brazilian cities. Overall, Bacabal caters best to those seeking a quiet, provincial lifestyle removed from the bustle of Brazil's major urban centers.