Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela

Capital City

With a population of 567,953, Ciudad Bolívar is a bustling riverport city that presents a mixed bag for would-be residents. While the historic center is a tourist draw, the local bureaucracy is a "persistent headache," and the tropical climate features a pronounced dry season where temperatures regularly reach 90°F. Locals subsist on agricultural staples like cassava and watermelon, but the cost of living is not exactly cheap. Overall, this gritty, industrial hub on the Orinoco River may appeal to the hardy adventurer, but it's not for the faint of heart.