Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Capital City

With a population of just 27,500, Nuwara Eliya is a small, provincial city in Sri Lanka's highlands. The cool climate - averaging a pleasant 16°C year-round - is a major draw, but also brings its share of challenges, like occasional nighttime frost. And while the colonial-era architecture and tea plantations evoke nostalgia, the bureaucratic headaches of operating in this remote region can be a persistent nuisance.

Nuwara Eliya is primarily a retreat for nature lovers and tea aficionados, not a bustling, cosmopolitan hub. Those seeking an escape from the tropical heat and humidity elsewhere in Sri Lanka may find Nuwara Eliya's temperate climate and scenic landscapes a welcome respite, but should be prepared to navigate its small-town quirks.