Porto Velho, Brazil

Capital City

With a population of just 334,585, Porto Velho is a far cry from the glittering metropolises many Americans imagine when moving abroad. The per capita income is a meager R$9,779, and the city ranks dead last among Brazil's 100 largest cities for public sanitation - just 41.8% have access to municipal water, and a mere 9.9% are connected to sewage. To make matters worse, a 2024 report ranked Porto Velho among the 50 most dangerous cities in the world. The climate is sweltering, with average temperatures between 25-26°C and a particularly wet season from November to April. This remote Amazon outpost is best suited for the adventurous few who can stomach bureaucracy, crime, and a lack of basic infrastructure.