Pando, Uruguay

Capital City

With a population of just 25,949, Pando is a small industrial town that has become part of the sprawling Montevideo metropolitan area. The climate is hot and humid in the summer, but generally mild in the winter - hardly the tropical paradise many dream of. And while Pando was once home to an airport and even saw a violent occupation by the Tupamaros guerilla group in 1969, the city today is more known for its persistent bureaucratic headaches than any real excitement.

In short, Pando is a practical, unglamorous choice for those seeking affordable living on the outskirts of Uruguay's capital. But for adventurous expats hoping to immerse themselves in a vibrant Latin American culture, this sleepy industrial town is likely to disappoint.