Digging for unique travel advice, one Redditor asked:
"Where are the most dangerous places for Americans to travel?"
A Legitimate Question
"I wonder if this sort of thing actually draws Americans there: either for the near-death rush or to prove that they survived despite all the clear advice not to go."
- LTVOLT
According to the U.S. State Department...
"The US State Department has a color-coded advisory system about how dangerous countries are for Americans to visit."
"The highest level (don’t travel there for any reason) are: Venezuela, Haiti, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, and Burkina Faso."
- ShinjukuAce
Venezuela
"VENEZUELA. As soon as you leave the airport, you can be intercepted by criminals and even corrupt police to rob you or worse."
- Ari_Goddess305
Seriously, Venezuela
"Little-known fact: From 2016–2019, Venezuelan government death squads are believed to have murdered at least 18,000 people, according to this report by Human Rights Watch. They've undoubtedly killed thousands more since then."
- KurtisC1993
Central African Republic
"Some tips for traveling to the Central African Republic:"
"Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney."
"Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc."
"Be sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and Members of Congress, if you are taken hostage or detained."
"Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax)."
"Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them."
- Passing4human
Iran
"I have a Croatian citizenship and in fact, many people speculate that Croatians originated from Iran (at least language-wise) and thus, Iranians are welcoming to Croatians. I have had friends go there and said it was great, super welcoming people, cheap, etc.; just don't go with an American passport."
- Fancy_Poetry_1705
Florida Interstates
"On I-4, you would never get anywhere, you can only go 0 miles per hour between Tampa and Orlando. Some people were supposed to be at work ten years ago and they're still stuck in traffic."
- han7nah
Unsafe for Women
"Can confirm, my good friend never felt more harassed or uncomfortable than when she was in Egypt. And she has been all over for work."
- JRoll555
The Sentinel Islands
"The Sentinel Islands in India. Inhabitants will kill any foreigners that come to the island, even if people at sea wash up on the island. They consider everyone not from the island a threat, therefore killing anyone coming there. The Indian government actually put a three-mile no-boat border there to protect everyone from the Sentinel Islands."
- Alarmed_Koala_1558
Get to the Appointment on Time
"Parts of Mexico are scary as h**l. I used to live in a border town where Americans went across the line for medical and dental care. It’s reached the point with the Drug Cartel violence and kidnapping that these offices have armed security meet the Americans at the border crossing, escort them to and from the doctor's office, and then back to the border."
- toddfredd
Unkissable Rock
"Blarney castle. When Americans come here, they almost always pay money to kiss a stone that is routinely defiled by the locals on a regular basis, and has been for decades."
- Fathertedisbrilliant
North Korea
"The American government does ban citizens from traveling to North Korea (you have to ask the Department of State for permission and get a special passport. You have to have a reason for going and tourism won't cut it). It's a relatively recent ban put in place after the Otto kid, if I recall correctly."
"I believe North Korea is also the only country the US government bans us from visiting. I wonder why some other countries haven't been banned (some are more dangerous than North Korea at this point)."
- PM_SOME_OBESE_CATS
Mogadishu
"Mogadishu is number one."
"From what I read, if you travel there, it is a guarantee that you will be dead within hours."
- death_or_glory_
Tanzania
"I'll never forget the time I (an American) was in Tanzania and trying to arrange passage to Madagascar via a shipping vessel (I met someone who knew someone who knew someone who could get me on the ship for very cheap). Eventually, the captain told me he would grant me passage, but warned me that if pirates boarded their ship, they would likely take me with them and hold me hostage."
"I didn't fully trust that the crew/captain wouldn't sell me to the pirates, haha... so I never did make that trip. Amsterdam was a nice alternative though."
"I did visit Zanzibar. the red colobus monkeys were cool, but nothing compared to how I imagine seeing lemurs in the wild would be. My only advice to people in Zanzibar: If the ATM in Stonetown isn't working, don't follow a guy named Jeff to the 'other ATM.' There isn't another ATM. And, Jeff will not want Zambian Kwatcha when he robs you. However, if you agree to buy several football jerseys from him, he will not harm you (yes, this is a real story from my trip)."
"Oh, and don't trust the taxi drivers when you want to buy a ticket to the ferry that takes you to Zanzibar... they will take you to a fake ticket place that sells you a one-way ticket, not allowing return passage. This didn't happen to me, but to some of my friends."
- AquanautOrange
Applies to Everyone
"Some of these countries aren't dangerous to Americans specifically. They are just dangerous places to travel to in general, irrespective of what your nationality is. Like, nobody is traveling to Ukraine or Venezuela right now."
"With that said, being a Westerner (especially white, affluent-looking) will make you a target for crime in pretty much any country stricken by poverty, war, or social conflict. Even in politically 'friendly' countries like South Africa, you still need to be extra vigilant."
- Enceladus89
While traveling is an amazing experience, it may be more important than ever to exercise caution while visiting another country. A person should always travel prepared, but it may be more important now than it used to be to send a friend your itinerary and to travel with someone you trust.
But some of the places described here might be better to put off visiting for the time being, at least until the increased political unrest ebbs away a bit.
