Itaguaí, Brazil

This port city of 113,057 residents is a functional yet gritty industrial hub, not a tropical paradise. Itaguaí serves as a dormitory town for workers in Rio's western industrial zone, with its main economic activity centered around the massive port facilities that export millions of tons of iron ore annually. However, the environmental toll is steep - the port was recently shuttered due to excessive pollution, and bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue. For those seeking a laidback coastal lifestyle, Itaguaí is likely not the right fit.