Colinas do Tocantins, Brazil

With a population of just 1,496,880, this remote outpost in Brazil's interior is a far cry from the glitz of Rio. The government has poured investment into infrastructure like a new capital and hydropower dams, but bureaucracy remains a persistent headache. And while the landscape of savannas and Amazon forest is visually striking, the hot and semi-humid climate can be a challenge. Tocantins may appeal to those seeking an authentic taste of Brazil's rural heartland, but it's hardly a tropical paradise.