Goya, Argentina

Capital City

With a population of just 98,514, Goya is a sleepy backwater in the Argentine Mesopotamia region. The city's annual Surubí festival may draw some attention, but day-to-day life is defined by persistent bureaucratic headaches and an endless routine of small-town gossip. Goya's remote location, 715 kilometers from Buenos Aires, means it's an unlikely destination for all but the most dedicated outdoor enthusiasts drawn to the Paraná River and its legendary catfish.

This is a place where the arrival of migratory swallows from California each November is a major event, underscoring just how provincial and insular Goya can feel. Unless you're a retiree seeking a slow-paced, low-cost lifestyle far from the madding crowd, this is probably not the Argentine city for you.