Montes Claros, Brazil

With just 414,240 residents, Montes Claros is a far cry from the glitz of Rio or the bustle of São Paulo. The city's airport, operated by Spanish company AENA, handles modest traffic and has seen modest upgrades over the decades. But bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the airport was only recently transferred from the Brazilian government to private control after over 40 years. For those seeking a slower pace of life in Brazil's interior, Montes Claros may fit the bill. But it's no metropolis, and those craving big-city amenities would do better to look elsewhere.