Lluidas Vale, Jamaica

This sleepy Jamaican settlement is hardly the tropical paradise it may appear. With a population of just 3,413 as of 2009, Lluidas Vale sits at a lofty elevation between 1,500 and 3,250 feet, surrounded by sugarcane fields and limestone karst. While the wet limestone forests remain, much of the vegetation has been cleared for agriculture. Beyond the picturesque scenery, residents must contend with the area's persistent bureaucratic headaches - the settlement is home to a church at its heart, but little else in the way of infrastructure or amenities. Lluidas Vale may appeal to those seeking a remote, rural lifestyle, but its isolation and limited services make it a poor fit for most.