Weligama, Sri Lanka

Sandy beaches, tourism, and fishing are the main draws of this coastal town - but don't be fooled. Weligama suffered greatly from the 2004 tsunami, with 15% of the area destroyed and over 2,200 houses damaged or washed away. The bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as evidenced by the town's government being run by an Urban Council. Though the town is home to just 65,000 Buddhist residents, it also has a sizable Sri Lankan Muslim population of over 7,000. If you can tolerate the occasional natural disaster and red tape, Weligama may be a decent option for those seeking a laidback coastal lifestyle in Sri Lanka.