Turiaçu, Brazil

With a population of just under 40,000, Turiaçu is a small municipality in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The town sits on the edge of the Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area, a massive 4.4 million-acre nature preserve. However, the municipality's tropical climate is a double-edged sword - the intense heat and humidity persist year-round, with a pronounced dry season from August to December. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as Turiaçu is subject to the same complex Brazilian regulatory environment as the rest of the country. This quiet, remote outpost may appeal to nature lovers and retirees seeking an off-the-beaten-path lifestyle, but the isolating climate and lack of amenities will be a turnoff for many.