Cayo Coco, Cuba

Tourism dominates entirely—all-inclusive resorts are the only real economy here, employing thousands in hospitality, food service, and entertainment since 1993. You won't find traditional job markets or remote work infrastructure; the 5,000 existing rooms (expanding to 32,000) mean resort work is the only local income path. Wages are low by expat standards, but housing and basics are heavily subsidized for resort employees. If you're not working in hospitality or tourism, you're here as a tourist or retiree with external income.

A 1BR in the city center runs $425/month, but that's misleading—most accommodation is resort-controlled. The 27km causeway connects you to mainland Cuba, though it raised salinity concerns in local waters. Healthcare exists but is basic; serious issues require travel to Havana. Spanish helps but isn't essential in tourist zones. Bureaucracy is Cuban bureaucracy: slow, opaque, and frustrating. Internet is unreliable and expensive. You'll need a car or rely on resort shuttles; public transport is minimal.

Year-round warm weather, pristine beaches, and world-class diving attract water sports enthusiasts. Weekends mean snorkeling the coral reef, exploring Hemingway literary sites, or watching wild flamingos. The expat community is tiny and transient—mostly resort workers and retirees. Hurricane season (June–November) is real; Irma devastated resorts in 2017. This suits only those working in tourism, wealthy retirees seeking isolation, or divers willing to accept limited infrastructure and zero job market.