Peruíbe, Brazil

The population of 32,773 in Peruíbe belies a coastal city with an underdeveloped infrastructure. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the municipality was only established in 1959, carved out of the larger Itanhaém territory. While the region boasts pristine beaches and ecological reserves, the urban area covers a small fraction of the 324 square kilometer municipality, with the majority of the land forested and hilly. Tourists flock to Peruíbe for its natural attractions, but those seeking a modern, well-connected city may be disappointed.