The beach scene has an idyllic peaceful look to it. My wife and I have made a dozen trips to Cuba (
), several to Mexico (
), the Dominican Republic (
), Panama (
), and a few other similar "tropical paradise" destinations. Most were great...
most, not all...but after a couple weeks we were cooked clean through and ready to go home. Nice places to visit...wouldn't want to live there. We always went to somewhat remote far-from-town spots, eco-lodges, etc. No casinos or nightclubs or other touristy crap, and didn't miss it at all.
That first pic? We'd likely visit a place like that once, if the price were right...but I really doubt that anyone would be willing to pay us enough to get us to do that.