Matinhos, Brazil

This seaside town is a far cry from the postcard-perfect imagery of Brazil's coasts. With a population of just 11,325, Matinhos arose in the 1920s and has since struggled to establish itself as a desirable locale. The bureaucratic process to become a municipality in 1967 was arduous, and the town's Rio da Onça State Park and Guaratuba Environmental Protection Area cover a significant portion of the local landscape, limiting development.

While the town celebrates its emancipation on Lovers' Day, the reality is that Matinhos faces persistent headaches from navigating Brazil's notorious red tape. Unless you're an outdoorsy type willing to embrace the region's natural limitations, this sleepy coastal town offers little to draw in new residents.