Santaluz, Brazil

The population of 30,634 may seem modest, but the bureaucracy in this remote Brazilian municipality is anything but small-town. Tucked away in the northeastern state of Bahia, Santaluz offers a quiet, rural respite from the chaos of bigger cities, but at the cost of persistent red tape and a lack of amenities. While the tranquility may appeal to some, the local climate can be oppressive, with hot, humid conditions the norm. Overall, Santaluz is best suited for those seeking a slow-paced, stripped-down lifestyle, but be prepared to navigate byzantine administrative hurdles.