The world is full of strange and wonderful locations, but sometimes this stunning scenery can be rife with peril. We look at the 18 most dangerous places in the world.
Acapulco
Going loco down in Acapulco isn’t the only risk attached to the once-popular beach resort. On the contrary, it’s now considered the murder capital of Mexico, and is awash with gang activity. Fear not though, there are multiple other white sandy beaches in the country that are safe for tourists to venture, such as Cancun’s hotel/resort zone.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is now under full Taliban control and is also prone to other Islamic extremist activity. Nowhere in the country is safe – particularly for westerners, as there are many Taliban checkpoints on the roads in and out of the country. Travel is not advised.
Brazil
The country of Brazil is known to hold a whopping 17 of the most dangerous cities in the world, and visitors are well-advised to stay within touristy areas and to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Not only that, there are multiple health and sanitation issues and water pollution is becoming a serious health issue in the country.
Cairo
Cairo, Egypt, has recently been dubbed the most dangerous city in the world for women – not just for natives, but for tourists too. Sexual assaults are extremely common and women aren’t advised to travel alone.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The crime rate in this area is incredibly high, and police resources are too low to combat it. Criminal groups target tourists for money-driven kidnappings (often posing as police officers or security personnel) and foreigners are at constant risk of violent crime.
Guatemala City
The United States has issued Guatemala City a Level 3 travel advisory (reconsider travel) owing to the increased violent crime rate in the cities, which includes murder, sexual assaults, drug trafficking, carjacking, gang crime, and more. Poverty is very high in the area, which means an increase in crime.
Hawaii
There’s no doubt about it that Hawaii is one of the most pristine, gorgeous places in the world, and is one of the most sought-after honeymoon spots. But it’s not without its warnings. In December 2022, Kīlauea’s volcano erupted, spilling out torrents of lava and sending the island into a state of emergency.
India
As well as having a high poverty rate, meaning those visiting the country are at risk from thefts and scams, India isn’t the most hygienic of countries. It is high in pollution, airborne diseases, typhoid, and food and waterborne infections. As well as getting various shots before traveling (such as malaria), good travel insurance is a must.
Iraq
The US has issued a ‘do not travel’ advisory to the country of Iraq, owing to increased Middle East-Western tensions, armed conflicts, civil unrest, and a staggeringly high risk of terrorist attacks and other violent crimes.
Israel
Due to Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, safety in the country – particularly the capital of Jerusalem – and tourists visiting this area (including the West Bank) need to be mindful that the safety and security levels can change in a heartbeat.
Madagascar
Madagascar is experiencing political unrest that is resulting in widespread poverty and unemployment, which is rapidly increasing the crime rate. Mugging and violent highway robberies are common, and to top it off, the country recently experienced a plague outbreak that killed almost 3000 people.
Malaysian Borneo
While Borneo boasts lush rainforests, aquamarine-colored waters, incredible wildlife, and much more, there is a dark side to the country. Owing to current political unrest, Malaysian Borneo is a risky area for tourists, as there have been increased foreigner kidnappings.
Philippines
The southern parts of the Philippines are experiencing an increased number of tourist kidnappings/ransoms and even have ISIS-affiliated gangs. Those visiting the capital Manila need to be mindful of muggings and thefts. If visiting the country, always opt for a high-end hotel, as the security will be better.
Russia
Russia has always posed some risks to Western travelers, but recent Russian-Ukrainian conflicts have made the country even more dangerous to visit. Americans, in particular, are at a higher peril, and the country is currently at a Level 3 travel warning.
Somalia
Poverty and civil unrest have been rife in Somalia for a long time, and the waters of the country have become renowned for pirate activity. Armed militia in Somalia also pose a threat to foreign travelers.
South Sudan
South Sudan has been dogged by much tension, making it an unsafe place to venture. As well as country-wide poverty causing a spike in violent crimes and thefts, there is ongoing fighting between political and ethnic groups.
Syria
Syria is the third most dangerous country in the world, and most commercial airlines have stopped traveling there – so even if you can get to the country, there’s no guarantee you can get out. Syria is in the throes of a violent civil war, which is causing many natives to flee. To add to the dangers, food and water in the country poses the risk of diseases such as typhoid and hepatitis.
Yemen
Many places in the Middle East are dangerous places to travel to, and unfortunately, Yemen is no exception. The entire country is under constant threat of terrorist attacks – so much so that workers at the Yemen United States embassy fled their posts back in 2015, so there is no security or resources for American tourists.
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