It’s a beautiful, magical planet that we have the luxury of inhabiting. Ours is a little blue marble with a vast array of geography and cultures to experience. Unfortunately, the planet is also filled with stupid, aggressive people who seem intent on ruining the world. Some of the most gorgeous and desirable locations are now polluted thanks to a myriad of tragic reasons, from civil war to rampant poverty to corrupt governments. When you’re traveling, it’s always a good idea to look at the political, social and economic climate before you get on the plane. With that in mind, here are fifteen places you should think twice before visiting.
1. Rural Nigeria
Nigeria is home to some of the most unique and diverse wildlife on the planet; what’s more, several parks and tours around the country allow you to get up and close and personal with these magnificent creatures. Unfortunately, these same areas are controlled by militant rebels who love nothing more than nabbing some potential hostages, including hundreds of Nigerian school girls. Even the cities aren’t exactly safe, with high crime rates and pervasive government corruption.
2. Juárez, Mexico
While the beache resorts of Mexico are still fairly safe for tourists, provided you learn to keep an eye out for pickpockets, the area around the U.S.-Mexico border (specifically Juárez) is a haven for gruesome crimes spearheaded by the local cartels. These gangs of drug runners and immigrant smugglers have achieved a frightening new level of violence in their quest to control the United States’ lucrative drug trade. In addition, those tourists who show up to sample some pharmaceuticals are asking for trouble with the law; trouble that could land you in one of Mexico’s horrific prisons.
3. Baghdad, Iraq
It was once written of Baghdad that, no matter your race, country of origin or chosen religion, someone in the city wants to see you dead. That seems to hold true for the epicenter of violence in the Middle East, a city whose lack of stability combined with its incredible potential for material wealth makes it a powder keg that simply won’t stop exploding with one conflict after another.
