Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Capital City

Despite its picturesque setting, Plettenberg Bay is no paradise. The town's population of just 29,149 swells dramatically during peak holiday seasons, putting a strain on local infrastructure. And while the climate is indeed mild, with an average rainfall of 640 mm per year, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache for residents. Segregation may have ended with apartheid, but its legacy of unequal property ownership remains glaringly visible. This is a place that caters primarily to well-heeled tourists and second-home owners, not those seeking an authentic South African experience.