With luxury real estate developments cropping up in the most unexpected of places, those with a taste for the exotic are finding vacation homes in far flung locations. Is Uruguay poised to become as hot and sexy as Brazil? Is Grenada nipping at St. Bart’s designer heels? We’ll let you be the judge.

Acqua
Punta del Este, Uruguay

With a fast-growing tourism industry, straightforward real estate purchasing (foreigners have the same ownership rights as locals), one of the lowest crime rates in South America and “reverse” seasons, it’s no wonder Uruguay has become a hot locale for both vacation home seekers and luxury developers. The 34-unit, oceanfront Acqua property in southern Uruguay’s Punta del Este, is a sleek structure of glass with tiered infinity pools, sure to appeal to those who like to mix beach views with a clean, modern aesthetic. The property will feature a beach club, wine cellars, private elevators and a gym and spa. Units range from manors with private decks and pools to duplexes and residences with private terraces, with the majority priced from $1 million to $1.8 million.

The Nam Hai
Hoi An, Vietnam

Vietnam, with its beach-lined coasts and soaring inland mountains, has in recent years shed its war-torn image to emerge as a top travel destination for both adventure and luxury seekers. Now, real estate developments catering to foreign buyers are cropping up. Situated on a pristine stretch of the white sand China Beach, with views of the Cham Islands, the Nam Hai resort consists of 60 hotel rooms and 40 privately owned, oceanside villas outfitted in serene, ultra-luxe, Asian design. Most of these villas have already been snapped up, but a few three-bedroom villas with private infinity pools are still available for $2.25 million.

Mount Cinnamon
Grenada

More than 20 years after the “Spice Island” of the Caribbean was invaded by the U.S., Grenada has become a hip vacation spot known for sun, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and picturesque beaches. Though there are currently only 1,500 hotel rooms on the island, with a Four Seasons and a host of development projects underway from British entrepreneur Peter de Savary, that number is likely to double soon. Among the de Savary projects is Mount Cinnamon, a luxury resort and real estate development on the two-mile long, white sand Grand Anse beach. The 21 suites and villas of the first phase of construction have already sold out, but the second phase of construction is in progress, with penthouses and duplexes starting at $795,000.