Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was a little uneasy in Kenya... but I wasn't there for long and not so much in the daylight.
The US definitely makes me anxious as well.
I visited the Hyundai complex at Geumgangsan Mountain, across the DMZ in North Korea... I wouldn't exactly say I felt unsafe, but it was uncomfortable and tense. Some locals were super friendly, but others wanted to impress their friends by being hateful towards the white guy. And the soldiers looked like they wanted to tear me apart.
I was in Nepal after the civil war ended but it never felt unsafe... though parts of it were still very much like a war zone.
other than the usual Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan. Share your experience with us if you ever visited a dangerous country.
"What countries are too dangerous to even visit for traveling?"
The only countries too dangerous to visit are the countries you refuse to visit because of your own fear. As they say, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Bad things can happen to anyone anywhere, including your very own home.
Just returned from Equatorial Guinea and were it not for my status with a very important company in the region, I don't think any others would fare as well. The police and military are all corrupt and looking for a buck. Whole country is corrupt. Damn shame because the people are nice and there is so much potential.
When I was in Jakarta I had to travel in an armed motorcade because of who I worked for and what I did and stayed in a heavily guarded hotel...threat of terrorism. Not in that kind of position any more so I would be less concerned today. Other parts of Indonesia like Jogjakarta are awesome and I felt very safe.
I have been to a ton of countries, but the most dangerous places have all been in the US. Overtown in Miami comes to mind or even bad areas of Pittsburgh. I just try to stay out of the ghettos in the US and feel pretty good. Finland doesn't have a ghetto.
North Korea
any of the "stans". E.g. Afghanistan, Pakistan
I heard every now and then in an airport in Thailand (ugh, or was it in Indonesia?), you get corrupt inspectors who take your luggage, out of sight, then arrest you for smuggling narcotics with planted drugs they just put in.
And yeah, "welcome to Iraq" is still something you never want to hear.
other than the usual Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan. Share your experience with us if you ever visited a dangerous country.
I wouldn't have a problem going to Iraq or Afghanistan for contract work. As far as Somalia, wouldn't want to go down south, but wouldn't have a problem visiting Hargeisa or something.
The country with the highest murder rate is Honduras. It didn't seem that bad last time I was there, but that was over a decade ago, maybe it has changed a lot. The one country that sticks out in my mind in Latin America is Venezuela. Most of my friends aren't the type that scare easy, lots of them with plenty of experience in war zones, but among those who have gone the overwhelming consensus has been that Caracas is scary dangerous. So I have avoided visiting for that reason.
As far as US cities go, I've never felt they are as dangerous as people let on. Due to my job, I am frequently in 'dangerous' cities (among the top 20 major US cities with the highest murder rate, have worked in 18 of them) and rarely feel like I am in danger. Rarely even hear gunfire, and have only come across a few murder scenes. One of them only yesterday morning in a relatively safe city compared to most, Inglewood, CA.
DR Congo (would literally be suicidal to go there)
any countries in West Africa
Papua New Guinea
Saudi Arabia/Pakistan (as a female, who knows if I could end up in trouble somehow, especially in Pakistan)
Honduras
Caracas, Venezuela
As a female, India. I went there when I was 18, but wouldn't go now. Not even with my husband.
I'd also be careful of roaming around in remote areas of Egypt ... highest concentration of landmines in any country.
I've been to my share of sh*tholes. On the countries usually deemed unsafe, and a few extras that one thinks are safe. We also have to define "unsafe"...from what? Physical harm? Europe is very unsafe in terms of property crime:
Egypt (Mubarak time) - I never felt unsafe. Mubarek knows how to take care of it's visitors however (mosty against terrorism) - think heavy police and army presence at tourist sites. Army escorted car convoy's. Military escorts on trains and river cruise ships. Touts are annoying. Some areas are offlimits to Tourists.
South Africa - Avoided Josburg and the townships, and just ventured in the country. Was always aware but never really felt unsafe.
Nepal - Gentle people but they have an aggressive side. Some areas of the country are offlimits to tourists, during my first time there these were lawless areas amidst a civil war. Touts are extremely aggressive and a constant source of aggravation.
India - Never felt unsafe (however I am a man). 5 star business hotels are maintained like forts, complete with auto undercarraige inspections and airport-type metal detectors for luggage and person. Obviously, the fear in places like Delhi is terrorism, not crime. Touts are annoying.
Brazil - Told not to venture out at night from a few of my Sao Paulo hotels. So I simply didn't. Other hotels I would walk to resteraunts a half mile away without issue. Never felt unsafe. We did have an employee that was robbed while riding a taxi cab.
Mexico - Walked freely in Jaurez and Mexico City. Never felt unsafe but this is before the drug cartel crime of the last decade.
Europe - Hassled by Gypsy's in Italy, always aware of property crime like pickpockets anywhere in Europe. Your wallet or possessions are never safe. Never leave anything of value in the car...never. Otherwise never felt unsafe.
Indonesia - Bali, very safe but this was before the terrorist attack. Biggest annoyance is touts.
China - Never felt unsafe. But scammers are everywhere, and the prostitutes, if you are a man, are very aggressive to the point of grabbing your junk.
Memphis - Ahh my current home town always shares the distinction, along with Detroit and New Orleans, of being one of the top most violent places in the country. Well, you know where to go and where not to in the town, a few slummy parts of Memphis have 90% of the crime, thus I simply don't go to those parts and I always feel safe (that, and I am always armed).
And that last sentence is the key here - In every country you have places that are safe and unsafe and that you should not venture into. Know this before you travel....
Probably a wealth of information had I known what a "tout" was.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
