Best Golfito Hotels, Costa Rica • James Kaiser

This bustling port, the largest town on the shores of the Golfo Dulce, is famous for two things: sportfishing and duty free shopping. If you’re in search of marlin, sailfish or low-cost appliances, you’re going to love Golfito. Established in 1938 by the United Fruit Company, Golfito survived off banana exports for decades. Then, in 1985, the company permanently shut down its operations, leaving the town economically devastated. In 1990 the Costa Rican government established a duty-free shopping zone to help revive the local economy.