Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker runs on island time—literally. The Split, a narrow waterway dividing the island, serves as a daily reminder that everything moves slower here. You'll wait for the single ATM to refill, for the water taxi to Belize City when waves are high, and for contractors who operate on 'soon come' time. The limestone shelf means no basements during hurricanes, and that $750/month rent gets you a concrete box with louvered windows, not luxury.

This is a barefoot expat hub where the main street is sand. The reef blocks big waves but not seaweed blooms that occasionally stink up the east side. Backpackers dominate the guesthouses, while retirees cluster in a few gated compounds. Everyone ends up at the same three grocery stores when supply boats run late.