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.
4. Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
In terms of sheer risk, Myanmar actually ranks fairly low on the list of most dangerous places to visit. Yangon, the country’s biggest city, however, is a place you want to watch yourself. Violence is common, and the state leadership is notoriously wary of outsiders. Not only that, the country’s infrastructure necessitates using cash only, a fact that makes the country’s visitors potential targets for assault and theft. That said, for the truly adventurous traveler, a trip down the famed Irrawaddy River is one for the “someday” wishlist.
5. North Korea
Just … just don’t go to North Korea. Is the country scenic? Yes, North Korea’s natural beauty holds a majesty that is rarely found in nature. Unfortunately, the easily excitable country is held in the clutches of a crazy person, someone who manages to love Western culture and despise it with every breath he takes. How can you love Dennis Rodman and hate America? It’s nonsense, and you don’t want to go anywhere near a man who thinks like that and has his hand on the big, red button (even if that button isn’t really connected to anything).
6. Rural Colombia
There are tourism opportunities galore to be found in Colombia, and it’s a popular destination for adventurous backpackers. It’s a gorgeous country with a vibrant culture and a people who are famous for their hospitality. Of course, Colombia is also home to some of the biggest cartels in the world, cartels who make a good chunk of change kidnapping tourists and holding them for ransom. That said, instances of kidnapping have diminished since 2000 as the Colombian government is working to make the country safe for travelers … there’s still work to do, though. Some rural areas, in particular, and the city of Cali should be avoided for the time being.
7. Separatist Georgia
To be clear, we’re talking about the country that can be found at the volatile crossroads where Asia meets Europe. This is a country that has been ripped apart by civil war for the last several years. While things have calmed down of late (the capital city of Tbilisi is considered relatively safe), there are still parts of the country being held by separatist factions that would just love to grab a Western tourist and get their name in the papers.
8. Caracas, Venezuela
Let’s start here: Venezuela has the forty-second highest population in the world, but the second highest rate of homicides. Even in areas where tourism is common and safety is generally assumed, street crime in the country’s capital is a virus. Armed robberies are constant, as are kidnappings and frequent demonstrations and protests. According to the State Department, as much as 80 percent of kidnappings go unreported. Just noodle that one over before you plan on heading to Caracas.
9. Western Russia
This one is really a sad inclusion, honestly, because the culture of Russia — it’s history, it’s contribution to literature and architecture — are really a phenomenal part of the human story. Unfortunately, the country is now being run by a fascist tool. Not only can you get picked up for speaking loudly about the government (or being a member of any number of special interest groups), but street crime like pick-pocketing and assault is abundant on the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Watch your back, and if you do find yourself in Russia, stick to bottled water.
10. Egypt
It’s not difficult to make a case for visiting Egypt. The home of the famed pyramids and one of the birthplaces of humanity, Egypt is beautiful desert land that’s a prime destination for any traveler worth their salt. Sadly, it’s just as easy to make a case against visiting Egypt. Prevalent social unrest means that protests can erupt pretty much anywhere at any time. What’s more, the restrictive system of laws governing Egypt essentially necessitates a clash between police and protesters whenever an angry crowd assembles. Not only that, the country is also a growing hotbed of ISIS activity. For the time being, it’s best to look for a different destination for your next family vacation.
11. Honduras
In recent years, the crippled Honduran government has taken strides to make their beautiful country readily available to curious tourists. Roatan, in particular, is becoming a magnet for budget travelers. Crime, however, is still rampant, and even the State Department explains that most cases of crime aren’t prosecuted by authorities, which allows most criminals to operate with little fear. On top of that, the excessive levels of poverty in the country make disease common.
12. India
India is beautiful country with a rich heritage that is both spiritually and culturally rewarding … provided you aren’t a woman, that is. Seriously, though, while the country is known for its poor treatment of the fairer sex, it’s also becoming an area of activity for terrorists who have begun to target public areas in their increasingly daring actions. Among their targets have been luxury hotels and train stations, i.e. exactly the places tourists are most likely to visit. It’s such a fascinating destination, but definitely think twice before planning a trip here at the moment.
13. Northern Somalia
Here’s a bit of the State Department’s blurb on Somalia, “Kidnapping, bombings, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents and threats to U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals can occur in any region of Somalia.” That’s right, the country is so unstable, and so strapped for resources that they can’t even quell “banditry”. Even the “safer” parts of the country, like Mogadishu, are only kept in check with help of an al-Qaida affiliate. So … probably best to avoid Somalia altogether, which is a shame because the parts that aren’t on fire are really quite beautiful.
14. Afghanistan
You may not have heard, but the situation in Afghanistan is a little bit precarious. Where most of the countries on this list are just generally dangerous, Afghanistan is specifically dangerous for Americans (which isn’t to say it’s a paradise for everyone else, of course). It’s common sense to stay clear of war-torn countries, especially when you have a target on your back. Maybe one day it’ll be a worthy traveler draw again, but that day is a while off.
15. Detroit, USA
No list of the world’s most dangerous places would be complete without making some mention of Detroit, America’s own in-house third world country. Entire neighborhoods of people in this American city live without electricity or clean water. In 2015, the 911 response time was somewhere over an hour. It’s murder rate is about 10 times the national average, coming in at or near the top of the list of murder capitals of America many years running. The city balances that out with countless of cases of assault, arson, robbery and other crimes throughout the year. And, if that’s not enough there’s always the roving packs of violent stray dogs to be wary of.
