The desire to travel and discover new places is instinctive for human beings. People love seeing new places, trying out new food, and interacting with different people. As we head into 2022, we’re seeing a record number of travelers planning their next trip and spending more on vacations than ever. This is great for the economy of countries around the world. That being said, there are some places that you should stay away from, even if they’re top vacation spots.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with a U.S. State Department travel warning urging people to avoid it at all costs. It’s also on this list for a good reason. “Kidnappings, suicide bombings, and murdered travelers have made many parts of the country off-limits to tourists,” says Forbes. The Taliban remains in control of Afghanistan and has killed thousands of Afghan civilians in recent years, making it extremely rare for anyone to visit, let alone live there. More than 170 countries issue travel warnings against Afghanistan, which makes it unviable as a vacation spot.
Iraq
According to the U.S. State Department, ” More than 2,000 people were killed in Iraq during 2012″ due to violence and terrorism. While the numbers have declined from their peak in 2006 and 2007, it’s still one of the most dangerous places on earth for civilians, with terrorist attacks happening more often than not. In addition, there are no direct flights into Iraq, making it extremely difficult to get there unless you go through Kuwait or Jordan.
Syria
It goes without saying that Syria is one of the worst places on earth right now after a bloody civil war has taken place since 2011. The country is divided between President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebel groups who continue fighting even as international organizations to broker peace. Hundreds of thousands have died or are missing in Syria, making it one of the most dangerous countries to travel through.
Pakistan
Pakistan is another dangerous country and is one of the most popular countries where terrorist groups enjoy patronage from locals. The unstable political situation in Pakistan also makes it a no-go zone for travelers, along with the fact that between 20,000 and 30,000 people have been killed in terrorist incidents since 2001. In addition, hundreds of terrorist attacks have taken place in Pakistan over the past ten years, leading to a large number of casualties.
Philippines
The Philippines is also on this list for two reasons. Firstly due to the high volume of natural disasters that ravage through numerous islands across the country. The second reason it’s on this list is kidnapping incidents involving foreigners, drug-related violence, and political instability. It seems like there are more reasons people should avoid traveling to specific locations everywhere you look. There are still many places around the world worth seeing, but these five countries aren’t among them. These are some places that can easily land you into serious trouble if you’re not careful during your visit there.
North Korea
North Korea is a country that has been isolated from the rest of the world for decades. It’s an ultra-authoritarian state, and its political system is based on the Juche ideology of self-reliance. Getting into North Korea is extremely difficult, but visiting if you have a proper visa is possible. The problem with visiting this secretive country is that there isn’t much open to do or see. Pyongyang alone has been described as being characterized by drab colors and poor conditions. In addition, tourists can find themselves subject to government monitoring during their stay in North Korea, making it a drag to visit.
Rwanda
If you’re looking for a beautiful country to travel through, Rwanda isn’t one of them since it’s one of the smallest countries in Africa. It’s also home to many gorillas and other rare species that might be endangered soon. Its population is among the most densely populated in Africa, and it has a high infant mortality rate. It’s also home to many unexploded landmines from the Rwandan Civil War, and it can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know where they are.
Somalia
Terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab have a strong presence in Somalia, making it a hotbed for terrorism over a number of years. The country has been under the control of various militias and governments since its independence from European rule, and there is no central government that manages the whole nation. Kidnappings involving foreigners have taken place in recent years, while terrorist attacks happen all too frequently. By 2014, nearly 1.5 million Somalis were forced to leave their homes due to drought conditions.
Uzbekistan
The political succession of President Islam Karimov has left Uzbekistan in an unstable state. There is also widespread censorship, and torture is used to extract confessions from individuals suspected of terrorism or other criminal charges. The government’s actions include extensive surveillance of the population on both cell phones and landlines, making it a place where you don’t want to go for vacation. In addition, it’s challenging to obtain tourist visas due to its closed borders, so forget about exploring this country without help from professionals who know what they’re doing.
Venezuela
This country used to be one of the wealthiest nations on earth with its abundance of resources, but now it’s one of the poorest thanks to economic mismanagement by President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez. There are shortages of basic needs such as food and medicine, exacerbated by hyperinflation, making the Venezuelan bolivar essentially worthless. The country’s dire economic situation can make your visits miserable if you’re not careful since crime is rampant. By 2019, the Venezuelan Observatory on Violence estimated that Venezuela had a homicide rate of 53.7 per 100,000 people, and only about 30% of all crimes are investigated by authorities each year.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that these are countries tourists should avoid. You should be extremely careful with your safety if you plan on going anywhere near them, and it’s best to stay as far away as possible. They’re not the only five countries you should watch out for, either! If you plan on traveling abroad, make sure to check with your government’s travel warnings section first since they’ll let you know if any spots aren’t worth visiting. You don’t need to go to these places for your safety and benefit!
