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Keep the replies coming, guys! It's interesting to hear about Portugal. I've been to Spain a few times, but the western parts of Iberia have eluded me so far. I've definitely been interested in the Balkans, SE Asia, and China.
Quote:
Originally Posted by annerk
I'd say that in addition to the Middle East, a good chunk of Africa and most of the "Russian 'Stans" would be places you wouldn't really want to visit right now.
I'm not up-to-date on the happenings in 'Stans, but they've definitely intrigued me. What makes you say they're unsafe?
Also, what can y'all tell me about South America? I know Venezuela is unstable right now, and you avoid the slums like you would anywhere, but it should be generally safe, right?
Keep the replies coming, guys! It's interesting to hear about Portugal. I've been to Spain a few times, but the western parts of Iberia have eluded me so far. I've definitely been interested in the Balkans, SE Asia, and China.
I'm not up-to-date on the happenings in 'Stans, but they've definitely intrigued me. What makes you say they're unsafe?
Also, what can y'all tell me about South America? I know Venezuela is unstable right now, and you avoid the slums like you would anywhere, but it should be generally safe, right?
Hey, if you think places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. are safe, have at it.
Argentina is considered safe, although it can be expensive to get to.
wow...im thinking I need to add Portugal to my list now.
Most of my experience is in Asia, and bear in mind that I look (and I actually am) Chinese. My top recommendation is Taiwan. I think you can spend a good amount of time exploring the entire island (I could spend plenty of time just in Taipei), it's beautiful, very much first world comforts but a third world price. China itself is also a good option. I am from Malaysia and love it but if you wanted to visit I'd really stick to just Penang right now. The other popular destinations aren't all that safe atm.
Thailand is similar to how Vietnam was described...pretty cheap and safe, though you will need to keep your guard up for scammers/thieves. I've never been to Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia but I think those are all very good options too.
Again...Taiwan is my top recommendation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by james777
How about the country of Colombia? Any input as to whether it is safe? I have been wanting to visit.
Colombia seems to get mixed reports, and is a combination of safe and not safe. To get details would probably require more of a specialist than you normally get here.
Brazil- you need a lot of money in order to buy your way to safety there.
Chile, Argentina, Uruguay- generally safe and stable for tourism purposes. Just be aware of how Argentina's weirdness about money and money exchange might impact any activities you'd be interested in. (Though it's more of an issue for Argentinians than tourists) Argentina and Chile currently require a 'reciprocity fee' that's the same as the fee the USA government charges those countries' citizens to apply for a Visa, though that might be going away for Chile in the next year since they're in the process of getting onto the USA's Visa waiver list.
Costa Rica and Panama are generally safe and budget friendly; Belize is okay. Other parts of Central America can be pretty risky without native help to keep you out of the bad parts of town.
Kazakhstan would be an interesting place to visit, and it seems fairly friendly to polite foreigners right now, but I'm not sure of the mechanics of that kind of a trip.
It is not crime and political instability that make places unsafe to travel. It is dangerous drivers, alcoholism, unsanitary conditions, environmental pollution, food poisoning, uncontrolled regional diseases, poorly maintained buildings, and falling into open sewers when walking dark unpaved streets at night in non-electrified towns, the latter of which I did several times, in Peru and Congo. And an entire menagerie of local pathogens and vectors and allergens that your immune system has never learned to defend itself against.
In countries where people are relatively short, a 6-foot traveler will constantly bang his head on overhead signs when walking down the street. If you go to a country that has Bilharzia or Chagas , have a medical test before you return home. Assume that if youu travel long enough, you will eventually get heptatitis-A, a childhood disease in the third world, there is nothing you can do to avoid it. Buses on mountain roads may have no brakes. You might spend a week in a lovely town constantly inhaling the fumes from a copper smelter down the road.
Before you go, make sure your shots are up to date. Tetanus, a polio booster, a course of malaria pills, and where necessary, a ten-year yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Colombia seems to get mixed reports, and is a combination of safe and not safe. To get details would probably require more of a specialist than you normally get here.
Brazil- you need a lot of money in order to buy your way to safety there.
Chile, Argentina, Uruguay- generally safe and stable for tourism purposes. Just be aware of how Argentina's weirdness about money and money exchange might impact any activities you'd be interested in. (Though it's more of an issue for Argentinians than tourists) Argentina and Chile currently require a 'reciprocity fee' that's the same as the fee the USA government charges those countries' citizens to apply for a Visa, though that might be going away for Chile in the next year since they're in the process of getting onto the USA's Visa waiver list.
Costa Rica and Panama are generally safe and budget friendly; Belize is okay. Other parts of Central America can be pretty risky without native help to keep you out of the bad parts of town.
Kazakhstan would be an interesting place to visit, and it seems fairly friendly to polite foreigners right now, but I'm not sure of the mechanics of that kind of a trip.
Good assessment here. I've been to Colomba and it was pretty safe, but definitely not the safest place in the world. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is searching for something very safe on the same level as the United States.
Chile is safe, also there is no reciprocity fee. Santiago is more seedy than the other cities in the country. However, Chile is NOT cheap. Not cheap in the least bit. More expensive than the US.
Argentina is pretty safe also, and cheaper than Chile.
Those I ve been to.
Brasil I have family there and it is pretty dangerous and fairly expensive.
Costa Rica is typicall more expensive than people expect.
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