São Mateus, Brazil

Forget the colonial charm and sunny beaches - life in São Mateus is a grind. With a population of just 73,903, this northeastern Brazilian city ranks as the eighth oldest municipality in the country and the seventh most populous in Espírito Santo state. But behind the historic facade, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the homicide rate is an alarming 68.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, the sixth highest in the state. The tropical climate may be pleasant, but it's not enough to make up for the gritty realities of everyday life here. São Mateus is best suited for those seeking an authentic, no-frills Brazilian experience, rather than sun-seekers or the faint of heart.