Bom Despacho, Brazil

With a population of just 51,737, Bom Despacho is a sleepy backwater, not the glitzy metropolis some might imagine. The city serves primarily as a ferry terminal, with car-ferries shuttling passengers to Salvador across the bay. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the local government struggles to manage the comings and goings of travelers. Those seeking a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path experience may find Bom Despacho appealing, but it's hardly a destination for the ambitious or adventurous.