• Thailand is a tropical country many travelers end up making their home.krabi thailand image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
  
  It is dream for many individuals to reside permanently in a tropical environment. Often people simply fantasize about it, but some beach seekers make it a reality. Tropical destinations in Southeast Asia and Central America are attractive options of residence to paradise seekers because of their beauty and low cost of living.
  
  

Koh Samui, Thailand

• Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand about an hour from Bangkok by plane. It was discovered more than 1,500 years ago by Thai fishermen, and kept secret well into the 20th century. It began to become popular with backpacker tourists in the 1970s. The island features an ideal tropical setting with surrounding clear blue water, white sandy beaches, coconut palm trees, and picturesque sunsets. According to Koh Samui's Island Guide website, Koh Samui has a population of around 50,000 people. Many of the island's natives can speak some English, and food on the island is cheap. While the island is easy to walk around, residents also travel the island by bicycle, motorcycle, taxi, and car. Koh Samui is more laid back than Thailand's more widely known travel destinations such as Pattaya and Phuket. A wide array of apartments, villas and homes can be rented or bought on the island.
  
  

Contadora, Panama

• Contadora Island is one of the 90 named islands that make up the Pearl Islands in Panama. According to the Contadora Inn's website, Contadora is located 30 miles off of Panama's Pacific coast, making it a 15-minute flight away from Panama City. The island has 11 beaches, all with white sand and protected coves. The beaches are all usually sparsely populated. The water surrounding the beaches is turquoise blue with an abundance of marine life below. Swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and sailing are all common activities on the island of Contadora. Transportation around the island mostly consists of golf carts, four wheelers, scooters and bicycles, although cars are driven on the island as well. The island is truly a tropical getaway with only one gas pump, no traffic lights, and no banks. There is, however, a small police force, a medical clinic open every day, a few restaurants, and some small grocery stores. According to MSN's Money Central website, renovated beachfront villas on Contadora start at $160,000. There are no property taxes applied for 20 years to foreign residents who build or buy new homes in Panama.
  
  

Cebu, Philippines

• The city of Cebu in the Philippines is the country's second biggest city as well as a world-class diving destination. Cebu has tropical weather year round with a variety of water sports to be enjoyed throughout the year. English is widely spoken in Cebu, and the cost of living is cheap when compared to the capital of Manila. Cebu is a tropical paradise as well as a large port, which helps it attract international business. Entrepreneurial foreigners choosing to reside in Cebu may find opportunities to expand their wealth. Furthermore, Cebu is filled with all types of nightlife, never leaving residents bored.