Barranquilla. Colombia

Barranquilla is a gritty, industrial port city built out in a tangled ribbon alongside mangroves and the Caribbean, sweltering in the blistering sun, and is primarily dedicated to making money. It's famous for being the birthplace of pop goddess Shakira and for the yearly carnaval – during carival the town clocks out, checks its sobriety at the door, puts on its colorful gowns and goes crazy as it throws the country's biggest party.