When it comes to the most dangerous places to visit in the world, you’d be hard-pressed not to find a country or continent that doesn’t have a litany of life-threatening regions.
North America is very well the safest continent on planet earth given that the United States and Canada predominantly make up the continent, but there is a lot of danger in Mexico right now.
It didn’t used to be like that with Mexico, but with the new emergence of the drug cartel and MS-13 gang, it is no longer an ideal vacation destination.
But you might be genuinely surprised by these six places and how dangerous they are for anybody to visit.
Take the United States for example, and no, we aren’t talking about crime. There are many other factors to consider.
For instance, almost every region in the United States is at risk for some sort of extreme weather or natural disasters due to its geographical makeup.
In the south, from Texas across the gulf, Florida, and up to Virginia (even New York in some cases), you have to deal with hurricane season.
In the Midwest, there are terrifying tornadoes that have the potential to devastate entire towns.
On the west coast, it’s earthquakes, mudslides, and wildfires galore.
And in the north, freezing temperatures can get so bad, like recently in Chicago, that it’s dangerous to stand outside for even just a few minutes.
This just goes to show you that even the richest and most powerful country in the world is not technically “safe.”
(Again, we’re not talking about the obvious countries that are dangerous to visit like North Korea or Venezuela.)
No, these six countries have a caution factor that you probably had never considered.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the most popular international destinations because of its world famous pyramids. You see them in movies all the time and so, naturally, you’d think it must be rather safe to visit.
Except that it’s not.
The political unrest in Egypt is ongoing and kidnappings have spiked to an all-time historic high. Additionally, although malaria is no longer a problem in this part of Africa, the bird flu is and carries a high death rate.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the rate of terrorism and sexual assault cases are incredibly high as well. If you do travel to this country, make sure you go with a group—and stay with your group. It’s safer.
India
Terrorism is definitely a concern here, and it’s even rumored that ISIS has spread into the country. But that’s not even the worst thing you need to consider when visiting India.
Despite the pristine, vibrant pictures you’ve probably seen of the Taj Mahal, India is one of the dirtiest countries in the entire world.
You could genuinely contract a litany of viruses, diseases, and parasites. Dysentery is a real problem here as well.
This third-world country makes the others with the same classification seem like a five-star hotel.
South Africa
South Africa is widely known for being one of the safest places to visit in the African continent. Tourists can enjoy seeing wildlife, gorgeous secluded beaches, outstanding parks and reserves—you can even swim with the sharks if that’s your thing.
But while that seems like an amazing time, it’s just not that safe there anymore.
South Africa has one of the highest levels of rape and murder according to the United Kingdom.
And don’t forget about the extremely common hijackings and robberies. You might think you’re safe in the big cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, but terrorist attacks are frequent there as well.
Australia
Australia is definitely beautiful. It has some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world.
Plus you can take a drive outside the city and see kangaroos and wallabies. And if there’s any country full of reinforced stereotypes, Australia is it.
Sure, as with every country, there is crime here. But that’s not what you need to be afraid of. You need to be afraid of the wildlife in Australia!
No, not the kangaroos. Although, you don’t want to get caught in a fight with one because they can be lethal.
Australia is home to 8 of the top 10 most dangerous animals/insects/reptiles on planet earth.
You have to be insanely careful whether at the sea or on the inland. And tread lightly, literally.
They have so many poisonous creatures, it’s easy to lose track. And that’s not a joke.
The box jellyfish, the honey bee, the eastern brown snake, the saltwater crocodile, the Sydney funnel web spider, the blue-ringed octopus, the coastal taipan, and the common death adder are just some of the most dangerous creatures in the world that call Australia home.
And remember, there are two widely-known rules in Australia—always check the toilet for snakes before you squat, and always check your shoes before you put them on.
That’s terrifying.
Honduras
Honduras might be considered one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, but that price comes at a cost.
Honduras is the murder rate capital of the world. To give you a point of reference, San Pedro Sula has an average of 169 murderers per 100,000 people.
It’s so bad that the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for all Americans due to their murder rates.
And if the murders weren’t already a dead giveaway to stay out of Honduras, then the Zika virus should be. It’s still more prominent there than in any other country in Central America.
Some of the countries listed here may be surprising. But sometimes, the way they are depicted in Hollywood is far-removed from reality.
It’s important that you know the facts before you book your next vacation.
And remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so proceed with caution.
