Feira de Santana, Brazil

With a population of just over 400,000, Feira de Santana is the second-largest city in Bahia, Brazil, but it's hardly a bustling metropolis. As a major crossroads for regional traffic, the city functions as an important commercial and industrial hub, but beneath the surface, bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the climate can be unforgiving. For those looking to experience a more authentic slice of Brazilian life outside the glitz of Salvador, Feira de Santana may hold some appeal, but it's hardly a destination for the faint of heart.