Santa Fe Venezuela

This fishing town is popular with international backpackers for its proximity to the islands of Parque Nacional Mochima. Travelers spend their days island-hopping and their nights drinking beer or merengadas (fruity milkshakes) on the beach - all without breaking the budget. Although most seaside posadas are esconced by high fences topped with barbed wire - making them look a bit like security compounds - there's still a laid-back atmosphere to the village. Santa Fe's tourism developed thanks to the grassroots initiative of some of its residents, inspired by journalist and writer, José Vivas.