San Marcos, Colombia

Forget the glossy tourist brochures - the reality of living in San Marcos is a population of just 60,735 and a persistent bureaucratic headache. The fictional setting of a 1990 action film, this South American city is far removed from the glamour of the silver screen. Narco-traffickers and corrupt officials plague the region, hampering the work of law enforcement. While the tropical climate may seem alluring, the true cost of residing in San Marcos is high. This is not the idyllic expat haven some may envision.