Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica

This small Costa Rican town is no paradise. Pérez Zeledón's football team, Asociación Deportiva Municipal de Pérez Zeledón, may have won the Primera División's 2004 Apertura championship, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache for residents. The team's home stadium, Estadio Municipal Pérez Zeledón, seats just over 10,000 people - a reflection of the town's modest size and limited resources. While the club has produced some players who've represented the national team, the day-to-day reality for locals is far from glamorous.

If you're looking for an authentic slice of Costa Rican life, away from the tourist hordes, Pérez Zeledón could be a viable option. But be prepared to navigate a maze of red tape and temper your expectations of modern amenities. This is a place for the hardy, not the faint of heart.