Although international borders themselves aren’t very thick, they often outline the boundaries of security for whole nations in our minds. Typically, entire countries aren’t dangerous but once they’re associated with the word, booking a trip to one of them doesn’t seem like a sane decision. For those of you who enjoy adventure without risking your life, these are the regions I’ve traveled to that you can carefully visit, in countries that have an unsafe reputation.
Socotra Island, Yemen
I’ve written quite a bit about Socotra Island, because if there’s any reason to travel to Yemen, this archipelago is it. Socotra is technically a part of Yemen but it’s nearly 300 kilometers (~190 miles) off the mainland’s coast. There’s so little crime on Socotra that it doesn’t even have a police force. Despite this, due to its nominal connection to Yemen, Socotra remains one of the most neglected tourist destinations in the world.
Kiev, Ukraine
Actually this advice goes for much of western Ukraine, which is unaffected by the conflict in Donetsk and other eastern regions. Here’s the longer version to the question: is it safe to travel to Kiev right now but in short, outside of the capital city’s Maidan, you’ll see life has returned much to normal.
Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Despite their proximity to Syria and territory captured by ISIS, these heavily fortified cities have stayed protected within the areas controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Both cities have international airports but before you go read more about safety in northern Iraq, what it’s like to travel there, and this digital pocket guide to traveling in Iraq.
Most Places South Of The Border, Mexico
Mexico is a country whose economy is booming and crime rate is falling in areas tourists are most likely to visit; though maintains a reputation of lawlessness. Much of this has to do with a series of highly publicized kidnappings as well as the murder of 43 students in 2014. A large percentage of these crimes are related to local drug trafficking, away from tourist areas so you can discover the ciudad under Mexico City and swim in enchanted cenotes without fear.
Hurghada, Egypt
The political turmoil in Egypt has crippled the country’s tourism industry. You may be weary of visiting Cairo but the biggest worry anyone has in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada is whether there’s a good wind for surfing that day. (The answer is usually, yes.) Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul to this paradise town that might not look anything like you imagine when Egypt comes to mind.
Texas, United States
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States has a homicide rate on par with Yemen. The high murder rate in Yemen and the United States shouldn’t be entirely surprising as those two countries have the first and third highest gun ownership rates per capita in the world. The surprising part is that a quarter of America’s 20 safest cities are located in the Lone Star State known for its cowboy culture.
You Can’t Put A Border Around Safe
Just as you can’t put an imaginary line around dangerous, the same is true of safe. Although both the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan and Somaliland in the horn of Africa are considered safe, they’re not ideal places for inexperienced or unprepared travelers. Sometimes it’s best to cancel your travel plans because of unfolding circumstances in places that were safe or take a look back at somewhere like Sarajevo whose recent history might be keeping you away needlessly.
What are some of the safest places in “dangerous” countries you’ve visited? I’m curious to hear your comments below!
A while ago I read an article by people who visited North Korea.
I would really be curious to see how it is.
I read you can go there with Koryo Tours safely.
Just don´t speak bad of the government or take unauthorized photos or you´ll be seeing yourself in a big problem.
True and true. You’re told the rules beforehand and don’t think many people make the mistake of disobeying or neglecting them.
I’ll let you know, I have plans to go later this year.
http://foxnomad.com/upcoming-stops/
I just finished traveling through places like El Salvador, Guatemala and one month in Mexico. All these countries get on “the most dangerous country lists”. I had no problems and in fact, I felt quite safe though most of it, even walking late at night in Antigua. I even hit a state in Mexico, Michoacán, in which many governments are warning that non essential travel should be avoided. In fact, the eastern part of the state is quite safe. Avoid the west. Places like Mexico City, Oaxaca City, the Oaxaca coast and San Cristobal are quite safe. It all comes down to using your head and knowing where and where not to go. I’ve been to many other so-called dangerous places in my travels and I’ve had no problems – just use your head and don’t do anything stupid and you should be ok.
Mexico is a really good example of a place whose reputation is much, much worse than what reality is in most places travelers are likely to visit.
Yemen is a beautiful country that not a lot of people consider as a travel destination. Great post!
The mainland isn’t somewhere most people should consider but Socotra, no problem.
Actually thought about it for some time, Ukraine is dangerous destination mate.
Anybody should think well before going into any of these destinations, because when it’s tough times, chances of unpleasany experiences are tripled.
Ukraine is a big place, many cities and regions in the west are safe.
I was just in Cairo late last year.
I don’t think the major media outlets realize how when they exaggerate the level of conflict in a city/country, it has a devastatingly direct effect on the local population.
This is especially true when that local population’s main source of income is tourist dollars.
They work on ratings and bad news often gets them. The countries themselves though could do a lot to better their own image through the same media outlets.
Texas really? I wonder if that has something to do with their gun-happiness that no-one wants to pull a gun on anyone else because everyone has one.
Egypt looks nice though, oh, that blue water!
Surprisingly Texas has pretty average gun ownership rates in Texas, there are other states in the US where it’s much higher per capita.
Karakoram mountain ranges and Hunza valley in northern Pakistan. Hunza valley can be visited from Chinese side and this beautiful valley safe to visit. Tourist facilities are excellent in the valley.
Thanks very much for sharing, you’ve got me interested in a new place now 🙂
Great!!!
On the other hand – I was in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations last month, Florida, and whilst I had no problems & have been there many times, I was shocked at the, literally, daily reports of gun crime on the local tv stations – you just never know!