São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil

At just 23,140 residents, São Gabriel da Cachoeira is hardly a bustling metropolis. Most of the population are indigenous people, with a smattering of Brazilian army personnel serving short terms. The climate is hot and humid, and the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Situated in the remote Amazon basin, this isolated city is a world away from the comforts of urban Brazil. If you're seeking an off-the-grid adventure in the jungle, São Gabriel da Cachoeira may be for you - but for most, the trade-offs outweigh the allure.