Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago

With a population of just 10,254, Siparia is a sleepy outpost in southern Trinidad that offers little in the way of economic opportunities or urban amenities. The town grew from a non-Mission Amerindian settlement into an administrative center, but today it remains a provincial backwater plagued by bureaucratic headaches. Siparia is best known for its annual festival honoring the "Black Virgin" venerated by Catholics, Hindus, and a host of other religious groups - a testament to the town's multicultural character, if not its dynamism. Unless you're drawn to Siparia's unique religious heritage or can tolerate the persistent administrative hassles, this quiet corner of Trinidad is unlikely to appeal to most expats.