Salto, Uruguay

Capital City

With a population of 114,084, Salto is the second-largest city in Uruguay, but it's no Montevideo. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache. And despite its stunning thermal pools, the city's location near mosquito-prone regions makes it vulnerable to diseases like dengue fever. This gritty border town has its charms, but it's not for the faint of heart.