The Most Dangerous Tourist Spots in the World

While we’d like to think that the world is a safe place to visit, and that even reaching out to areas that might have trouble would still be an exciting adventure, some places in the world are simply unsafe. There are the top unsafe destinations in the world.

Russia

Gun

Source – x-ray_delta_one

A country that has seen tremendous change and revolution the last few centuries, the fall of the Soviet government in Russia left the country wide open for a new ruling party. A new party did step in to take control of the government and the people, but unfortunately, that new party isn’t one who tries to rule fairly and decently. While there is a government in place, the country is essentially run by organized crime groups all trying to be in control and incidents like theft, murder and kidnapping are constant. It’s estimated that a Russian is assassinated about every twenty minutes and that a murder occurs every 40 seconds or so. With higher ransom prices on the heads of foreigners, Russia is an area that is best viewed in history books.

Columbia

Columbia

Source – smoreno2007

While security has improved considerably, there is still much to be desired when visiting Columbia. Known for its drug trafficking activities, these drugs and the criminal element they pull together are responsible for the dangerous conditions in this country can be. Car bombs are exploding in major cities like Bogota and drug-related criminal groups enjoy kidnapping and holding foreigners hostage to exchange either for ransom or as political players in a game of money and crime.

Brazil

Brazil

Source – tanozzo

A beautiful country full of beautiful women to be sure, but traveling into the heart of Brazil is a trip into a huge wave of poverty and the subsequent crime that often accompanies desperate people. There has been a huge boost of economic activity in Brazil and many people in the county are finding riches and prosperity. While this is excellent for some, the rest of the country is mired in a huge wave of poverty with a cycle that doesn’t seem to be breaking. Big criminal elements have been known to fight in the streets and many public officials are bribed to “look the other way” on certain activities. Even in areas free from organized crime, you can expect to be “quick-napped”, which usually involves being taken to the ATM with a gun or broken bottle at your back to extract money for your napper.

Mexico

Mexico

Source – catr

Ciudad Juarez in Mexico is almost as dangerous as many declared war zones thanks to drug traffickers. While some areas of Mexico are considered safe enough for travel so long as you stick to the resorts and the security provided there, other areas, especially near the borders where drug trafficking is big business are outrageously dangerous. In the small city of Ciudad Juarez alone, there were 2,500 drug-related deaths and murders in 2010.

South Africa

South Africa

Source – sokwanele

Long used a means to control women and the families of women, rape is hugely popular in South Africa. In fact, the country has been called the Rape Capital of the World. If the high incidents of rape weren’t bad enough, there are murders in the most unlikely of places – rural areas where farmers are killed at eight times the national average. The prosperous live in gated communities complete with armed guards and even if you find someone special to enjoy spending time with in South Africa, you must be extremely careful. More than 10 million people are infected with AIDS in the country.

Somalia

Somalia

Source – 52845287@N07

The country that brought us Black Hawk Down isn’t doing much better in recent years. In the fall of 2010, Somalia suffered through a terrorist military offensive against the current government. Roadside bombs have exploded killing residents and tourists alike and suicide bombers attempted to blow up the Mogadishu airport. While those are big events, you can find other small violent attacks on citizens and tourists including murder, kidnapping, illegal roadblocks, and general threats to American and other foreign citizens. On any given day you can find rival militias fighting in the streets of the city and moving around in the country is challenging given the amount of deadly fighting that can spring up almost anywhere.

Afghanistan

Dangers in Afghanistan

Source – azrainman

If the current fighting wasn’t enough to stop you, the climate of Afghanistan hasn’t changed much in centuries. This particular stretch of land is hugely desirable, although the people living there are poor and often politically unstable. 12 million landmines were left in the country after a Soviet invasion and these bombs are still responsible for hundreds of maiming incidents and deaths each year. With the United States removing Taliban control, the country has been suffering from the same instability as it has for centuries with rival tribes attempting to stake a claim and drug related violence. Suicide bombs are constant threats to all citizens and the amount of top-grade drugs produced in the country is truly staggering.

Pakistan

Dangerous Pakistan

Source – hendry

The Kashmir area of Pakistan is considered both a paradise and hell on earth. This beautiful land of what should be serene lakes and lovely gardens is torn apart by territorial disputes. Three countries are constantly bickering over the ownership rights of Kashmir, and India and Pakistan have come head-to-head more than a few times over the area. It doesn’t help that both countries have nuclear weapons and use them as a threat against the other. China, the third bordering country, is involved in the dispute as well from time to time, and it has a powerful nuclear presence as well. Outside of the threat of almost imminent nuclear war at times, Pakistan is also home to money forging, drug trafficking, murder for hire, fraud and many organized crime activities including human trafficking and terrorism.

The United States

The United States

Source – jennvaca

Sadly, the United States might very well find itself on a list of dangerous places. While much of the country is safe and a popular tourist destination, there are staggering statistics that might put off some well-meaning travelers. The United States has 50 murders per day and there are 200 million guns in the United States. The US has more people incarcerated than any other nation and there are more Americans in overseas prisons than any other nationality. While you’re unlikely to be caught in a political crossfire, there are areas of the United States that would rival some of the world’s toughest locations at times.

Tags: risky travel, safety, travel risks, unsafe, unsafe travel, unsafe world