Mamanguape, Brazil

Living in this tiny Brazilian municipality of under 50,000 people is not for the faint of heart. The city contains protected nature reserves, but bureaucracy and environmental regulations are a persistent headache. Mamanguape does have one ecological gem - the Pau-Brazil Ecological Station, which preserves an endangered tree species. But overall, this sleepy corner of Paraíba state offers little to attract the average expat. Unless you're a nature lover willing to navigate Brazil's notorious red tape, Mamanguape is best avoided.