Is It Worth The Risk?
The world is full of incredible places to explore, but if we truly want to enjoy the joys of travel, we’ve got to keep safety in mind. So before you book that trip to the great pyramids or the Taj Mahal, let’s see just how safe their home countries are.
Here are 10 of the safest and most dangerous countries for tourists, starting with the most dangerous.
Egypt
People all over the world are still captivated by the ancient ruins and pyramids of Egypt, but the country is the safest place for tourists to be traipsing about. Egypt has experienced several terrorist attacks over the last few years, and while tourists aren’t the target, they could get caught in the crossfire.
Egypt (cont’d)
More than the terrorists though, travelers in Egypt can easily fall pretty to street crimes and scams. For example, there are lots of helpful locals who’ll offer to point out a shortcut to your destination—only to turn around and demand you pay them after.
Jim Joel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
India
Tourists love India’s gorgeous temples and budget-friendliness, but the streets here can prove dangerous for naïve travelers. There’s no shortage of scam artists waiting to take advantage of those who let their guard down.
India (cont’d)
Pickpockets, fake taxis, and unwanted attention towards women are some of the things can make travelers feel unsafe while visiting India. And, depending on what time of the year you visit, you could find yourself caught in a flash flood.
Apoorva Jinka, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Philippines
The Philippines has a fairly good reputation among travelers and is often considered one of the most hospitable places to visit—so long as you’re in the right part of the country. In some southern cities, rebels abduct tourists for ransom.
Theglennpalacio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Philippines (cont’d)
Aside from the rebels, the country’s weather can also be dangerous to travelers. Typhoons and flash floods are common here, so make sure you visit in the dry season. And always keep a look out for deadly critters, like poisonous snakes and insects.
Patryk Reba, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Turkey
Over the last few years, Turkey has improved their reputation with the Foreign Commonwealth Office and seen several travel warnings against the country lifted. However, tourists are still the best marks when it comes to street crimes like theft, which are all too common in cities and on public transportation.
Turkey (cont’d)
Always keep your bags close when you’re out and about in Turkey. Tourists should also cooperate during police inspections or checkpoints, which are also common in Turkey.
G.OZCAN, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mexico
Mexico is popular vacation destination for Americans, but tourists can still fall victim to criminals looking to make a quick buck.
Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mexico (cont’d)
To avoid pickpockets, try arranging a private driver instead of going on crowded public buses or trains. And always be on the lookout for scams like fake taxis or tourist guides.
Thailand
Thailand’s reputation as a budget-friendly destination is quickly growing, but there are still some dangers that tourists should be on the lookout for. When it comes to scams, pickpockets, and muggings, travelers are the prime targets.
Denis Lintner, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Thailand (cont’d)
Travelers should be wary of overly friendly locals who might be looking to trick them into shelling out some cash. Travelers should also avoid walking alone at night or in shaded areas, which are the perfect hiding spots for thieves.
Colombia
Colombia has come a long way in reining in the cartels, leading to cities that were once dangerous—like Medellin and Bogota—becoming safe for tourists. However, anyone traveling outside of these cities should keep their guard up and know that that’s cartel territory.
Colombia (cont’d)
Colombia’s infamous drug cartels still control several rural areas in the country and have made traveling on certain highways dangerous. The gangs have been known to hijack buses so they can rob the passengers, and not everyone always survives these encounters.
Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0,Wikimedia Commons
Nigeria
Nigeria has long attracted tourists with its beautiful landscapes, but in recent years, the country has been hit with several travel advisory warnings. Unless absolutely necessary, traveling to the country is highly discouraged due to the high risk of robbery and assault.
Nigeria (cont’d)
Much of the issue stems from Boko Haram, an Islamic fundamentalist groups that has been terrorizing the northeastern part of the country for the last decade. Other militant groups are also a threat to anyone considering traveling to the county.
Jiří Komárek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mali
Like Nigeria, Mali also has many travel warnings for potential tourists, who are most at-risk of falling victim to armed robberies. Kidnapping for ransom is also a common occurrence in the country.
Ralf Steinberger, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mali
Even the capital city, Bamako, isn’t safe for travelers. Extremist organizations and street criminals alike have been known to target travelers in nightclubs and hotels. The violence is so bad that the country is currently in a state of emergency, and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change any time soon.
Mark Fischer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Honduras
Ober the last decade Honduras has turned into one of the most dangerous places to travel, and for the last decade, has had one of world’s worst homicide rates. Deadly streets gangs like MS-13 don’t discriminate between locals and visitors when it comes to carrying out their heinous crimes.
Honduras (cont’d)
The gangs in Honduras have been known to hold up buses and even control several large taxi companies. And when it comes to figuring out who to rob, tourists often stand out as the easiest targets.
Sasha India, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Iceland
With the danger zones out of the way, let's check out some of the safer places for tourists. When it comes to travelers' safety, Iceland has been among the best destinations for years. The reason for that isn’t just the country’s small population but rather the sense of unity between the locals.
Giuseppe Milo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Iceland (cont’d)
According to studies, people in Iceland have a high level of empathy for each other, which has drastically reduced the risk of street crimes. Iceland also has lots of social supports for those who are struggling, making the country safer not just for local, but tourists as well.
New Zealand
New Zealand also ranks high on the Global Peace Index (GPI) because of a general acceptance of different cultures and beliefs in the country. Locals are known to be very hospitable, making it a prime destination for tourists.
Jorge Royan, Wikimedia Commons
New Zealand (cont’d)
Travelers can explore the country a little easier knowing that it has low crimes rates, and a dependable police force should anything serious happen.
Portugal
Portugal is another country where the diverse population has made things safer for travelers. Tourists of all ethnic backgrounds are generally welcomed and are less likely to face racism or discrimination than in some other countries.
Portugal (cont’d)
There’s also less risk of violent crimes when traveling in Portugal. And some studies have shown that women feel safer walking alone in Portugal than in other countries.
Austria
Austria is a great place for travelers due its low level of street crime. While tourists should always be vigilant of their surroundings, they can breathe a little easier knowing there’s low risk of falling prey to pickpockets or scammers.
milan539, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Austria (cont’d)
Because of the low crime level, Austria is a great destination for solo travelers. It’s particularly good for those who are just venturing out on their first trip alone.
Denmark
Denmark also has low crime rates, making it a safe destination for tourists. However, there’s still one place where people should be on the lookout for pickpockets: public transportation.
Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Denmark (cont’d)
Most tourists who have run into pickpockets say it usually happens on public buses and trains, so travelers should always be mindful of their belongings in these places. On the flip side, many female tourists feel safe walking the streets of Denmark, in part due to the rarity of dangers like catcalling and assault.
Canada
Canada has a reputation for politeness, and there’s no shortage of friendly locals who will travelers feel right at home during their visit. Even in the big cities, there’s little risk of getting pickpocketed or mugged.
Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Canada (cont’d)
Emergency responders are widely trusted in Canada, so if they are needed, tourists can relax knowing help will be prompt and thorough. While property crimes do occur in major cities, that’s not something that travelers really need to worry about.
Australia
With low violent crime and homicide rates, Australia is one of the safest countries for tourists to visit. There’s also little threat of natural disasters, though the country does experience serious heat waves that require extra vigilance with hydration and sunscreen.
Australia (cont’d)
In Australia, the biggest danger to travelers is the wildlife. The country is notorious for being home to some of the world’s most poisonous animals, including snakes, spiders, and jellyfish. Luckily, you can avoid most dangerous animals by exercising caution. And if you do get bitten or stung, you can relax knowing that hospitals stay stocked with lots of anti-venoms.
CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Singapore
If you’re ever walking around Singapore you’ll probably notice something missing: there are very few visible police or security guards. With lots of ways to catch rulebreakers (including widespread CCTV) and steep penalties for breaking the law, there’s little risk of tourists falling prey to crimes.
Singapore (cont’d)
In addition to all the surveillance, Singaporean residents have strict income regulations which keeps everyone above the poverty line. This has greatly reduced the risk of streets crimes like pickpocketing.
Slovenia
Travelers in Slovenia aren’t likely to run into any violent criminals. Pickpocketing is also pretty rare, but any tourists who rent a bike will need to be a bit more vigilant.
Slovenia (cont’d)
Rented bikes are prime targets for Slovenian thieves, so make sure to chain yours up. Aside from that, locking car doors and keeping an eye on your belongings in public spaces are the only real precautions you need when traveling in Slovenia.
United Kingdom
While the UK has experienced a few high-profile terror attacks in the last few years, the country still remains safe for travelers, attracting millions of visitors every year.
United Kingdom (cont’d)
The risk of violent crime is low in the UK, as is the risk of running into pickpockets. There aren’t even any dangerous or poisonous animals in the UK, making the likelihood of rainy, nippy weather the most dangerous possibility for tourists.
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