Traveling outside of your country is always a great way to experience something new and exciting. But, depending on what country you choose, it can sometimes prove to be a dangerous place to visit. If you were somehow planning to visit one of the following countries, think twice! These are the places where most cases of kidnapping and ransom occurs. Keep in mind that kidnapping doesn’t have demands of 6 to 8 figures as we see in movies; the average amount paid for reported cases is $62,071.83 USD.
10. Haiti – Being the least developed country in the Americas, it’s only natural that the Haitians make up for their low income with kidnapping. Furthermore, 80% of the population is living in poverty and over half of the country’s inhabitants are illiterate. Haiti remains an unsafe place to visit, even considering the presence of the UN stabilization force. Kidnappers and street gangs are thriving in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The targets include rich Haitians, diplomats, aid workers and, of course, foreign tourists. If you’re willing to leave that aside, Haiti is a place of colorful art, fascinating traditions, vibrant music and spiritual people.
9. Iraq – Made by the Sumerians and Babylonians the center of the ancient world, Iraq has been under turmoil since the American’s invasion in 2003. It doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the widespread civil violence, that Iraq isn’t one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Violence and kidnappings occur on a regular basis and are mainly aimed at foreigners. Once the home to the most ancient civilizations, Iraq is now a place where several distinct forces are competing for control.
8. Afghanistan – Once known as the center of ancient empires or, in recent years, as a country with a great backpacking circuit, Afghanistan has been experiencing a lot of turmoil in the wars that have been waging for over 25 years. Presently, several areas of the country remain unsafe for travelers, particularly during the NATO-led operations against the Talibans and Al-Qaeda. Attacks targeting foreigners are ever frequent, especially suicide bombings concentrated around foreign embassies. Visitors are recommended to avoid gatherings, avoid travel alone or at night. Afghanistan presently has one of the most volatile situations.
7. Chechnya – Ever since the Russian Empire collapsed in 1991, the southern Russian has been marked by the conflict between the Chechen separatists and the Russian forces, thus reducing almost most of the province to sad ruins of a long war. Rich in petrochemicals, natural gas and oil, the country’s economy and infrastructure have been experiencing a serious crash, due to the ongoing conflicts. Leaving that aside, Chechnya has a surprisingly beautiful mountainside, with its mineral waters making it a great spa center.
6. Nigeria – Africa’s most populous nation has a fascinating mixture of over 200 peoples that, coupled with an unstable economy, often leads to a volatile situation. You might also remember the country from the multiple email scams circulating the internet in recent years. According to news reports, over 200 foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, most situations being resolved with a ransom. Travelers are required to vaccinate against yellow fever, while there is also a high risk of infection of AIDS/HIV or malaria. Furthermore, armed gangs and kidnappings are on the daily menu for areas such as the Bakassi Peninsula, Bayelsa or the Delta.
5. Philippines – The archipelago consisting of 7,107 islands is a fascinating, laidback natural paradise, with friendly, engaging people. But there’s a reason we included Philippines among the countries most likely to get kidnapped. North Cotabato, Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the Sulu archipelago are just a few areas that a traveler should necessarily avoid. Apart from the usual robberies and kidnappings, foreigners also risk having a drug put in their drink that knocks one out immediately. Tourists are then either robbed, raped or have their kidneys taken. 10 hours are needed to wake up from the drug and another 3 days to remember what happened.
4. Venezuela – With some of the most spectacular landscapes and the longest waterfall in the world, Venezuela truly is a sight not to be missed, if you’re willing to leave aside street crime, kidnappings or political turmoil. If not, know that street crime is present on a daily basis throughout the country. Tourists in Venezuela are the easiest target for pickpockets so try to look like anything but a tourist. Don’t wear jewelry, watches, avoid unfolding maps, taking pictures and stay away from poor areas. To avoid problems, simply stay in the touristic areas.
3. Colombia – National parks, high mountains, cruise boats or soaring skyscrapers are just a few of the numerous attractions Colombia has to offer. Even though it might same like an untroubled paradise, Colombia has its fair share of drug dealers, robberies and kidnappings. Even though safety has improved in recent years, Colombia still suffers from high kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas. The extra violence is provoked by the guerrillas which operate mainly in rural areas – the places to be avoided are the border areas with Ecuador and Venezuela.
2. Brazil – The largest country in South America, teeming with beaches and untamed forests, Brazil is one the most vibrant and colorful places on the continent. As with the other countries on the list, the downside is the street crime present in big cities, where attacks against tourists have become frequent. Apart from the usual kidnappings, there are also a high number of muggings so simply leave your valuables at the hotel and take with you only a small amount of money. To top it all off, Brazil experienced an increase in the number of yellow fever and dengue fever cases, so be sure to have your shots before entering the country.
1. Mexico – With a mix of modern city life and a reminiscent ancient civilization, Mexico is one of the liveliest, yet most dangerous countries on the list. You’ll come across plenty corruption, the usual street crime that comes with every South American city or sexual assault. Kidnapping for ransom is fairly common, especially in border cities such as Tijuana, Nogalas or Juarez. As with other cities on the list, try not to look like a tourists, avoid flashing shiny, expensive objects and you should be fine.
Source, Images courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons, fredfraces kaysha, pulpolux, liquidrage.
HotelClub Travel Blog is where the weird, the wacky and the wonderful world of travel comes together. You will find posts on green/environmentally friendly travel ideas, interesting and obscure destinations and hotels as well as posts about the cultural side of travel. We also feature 
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Hell will have to freeze over first before I set foot in these lower class countries.
laconic - you sir are a true ignorant pig
Well, i’ve been to 5 of these countries, and I can honestly say for those, that this is scaremongering. Use your head, and listen to the local advice and you’ll have a great time, and even better, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful places in the world without the annoying package tourists
I’ve been to Mexico and I have close friends who used to live in Brazil. Maybe it was just the wrong parts of the countries, but there has never been any trouble for any of us. I was in a less urban area of Mexico I suppose, but it was by no means touristy.
@ Laconic
The inhabitants of those “lower class” countries thank you for not bringing your ignorance to their countries.
What I want to know is what the deal is with the picture after #5. What on earth does that sign have to do with Nigeria, other than that it has the word Nigeria on the protest sign. I suspect this is a poor photo choice.
Please dont bother laconic, we dont want more people like you in my country…. we already have idiots
the chance of getting kidnapped in any country is not going to deter me from the experience….suckers!
actually… kidnappers in Mexico do not kidnap tourists, because they don’t have anyone to collect ransom from. Most long term kidnappings are done to other Mexicans specifically. You might be a part of an express kidnapping which only consists of taking your money and taking you to an ATM machine to withdraw some more. (but do stay away from Tijuana, Juarez, Reynosa…. etc)
Bob - hush. You will only speak when addressed.
I’ve been to Mexico numerous times no worries.
All places are both dangerous and safe in part, like fire that heats your home, it can also kill you… so what?
laconic is a retard. get some class and gain some understanding and respect of the diversity of the world we live in. Your comment sounds utterly American. [I am one, and the people are a downright dumb at times]
No Bob’s right…I think the award for ignorant bigot goes to laconic.
I’ve been to a few of the countries listed and I agree with Simon, just use common sense and you’ll be okay.
Some statistics (facts) would have been nice to substantiate this list. Otherwise it’s an interesting list of opinions. Thanks.
laconic: Those “lower class countries” produce a lot of what we use.
Matty: Utterly American? Ok, lets see what American would that be? Would it be one of the countries on the North American Continent or the South American Continent because they’re all Americans.
Mexico in first place? You are a complete idiot for actually suggesting to think twice before going to Mexico.
You said this “the usual street crime that comes with every South American city or sexual assault.”
Are you kidding me? I live in Monterrey, México. (5million hab) and nor any of my friends or family have been victims of street crime or sexual assault.
It is completely safe for tourists to come to Mexico, specially in cities like Cancún or Acapulco that live off international tourism.
Mexico is in North America.
I have visited many of these countries and I don’t agree at all that you will be kidnapped. Is it possible? of course. I mean you can even get kidnapped in the United States but no one put that up! If you got kidnapped the chances are you asked for it. You were probably flashing tons of money, wearing expensive jewelry and flashing it of course. If you try to blend in with the crowd and not act nervous all the damn time there really won’t be a reason for any of this. All websites like this do is make over exploited (not underdeveloped) nations seem worse than they really are.
I have been to Haiti and it is beautiful! I highly recommend it, but of course stay out of the cities.
I am pretty sure that Iraq has had conflict way before we invaded in 2003. The conflicts in the Middle East has been around for centuries. I think you should do a little research before blaming America for the unrest in Iraq.
Oh! And Mexico is one of the most beautiful places in NORTH America. I have never had any problems in the multiple times I have been there. It is an epicenter for Ancient North American culture, with many wonderful people, beaches, and historical artifacts to see. Seriously, go to some of these places before you judge them.
wow Afghanistan picture is very nice.
There are many more dangerous places in this world than Mexico, Central Africa and parts of the Middle-East should be the highest on the list.
OMG, i cant believe Pakistan is not on that list. Damn, you’re an ignorant to rate mexico so high and Afghanistan so low.
People . . . just because a violent incident has or has not occurred to YOU personally, your isolated personal experience does not trump statistics. Of course nobody would suggest that every single tourist to– for example– Columbia or Mexico will be kidnapped. It is the relative frequency of violent attacks across an entire statistical population of tourists that is significant.
Why is England not on the list? It is a semi-police state, and quite dangerous tto visit. Street-preaching? Verboten. Driftiing 3 miles an hour over the speed limit? Verboten. Expressing a non-liberal opinion in public? Verboten. Challenging security officers at the airport about their rudeness? Verboten. Voting on the Lisbon treaty as promised by the current labour government in their manifesto? Verboten. Eating out? Not verboten, but should be.
Agree with most on the list but MEXICO!
I guess you have to be American and talk with a broad accent and ask what everything costs in dollars to get kidnapped here.
Mexico is really dangerous for neurotic paranoids only
Gari
> RoRo1979 said on Sep 2, 2008: “Mexico is in North America”
Dear RoRo - Mexico is CENTRAL AMERICA (even for Americans lol).
North America comprises the United States of America, Canada, Greenland and St Pierre & Miquelon (F)
Gari
The Australian Govt smarttraveler advice for Mexico updated 19 Sep 08
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico because of the high level of violent crime.
Pay close attention to your security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The Mexican Government has deployed large numbers of military personnel and federal police to the cities of Acapulco, Monterrey, Culiacan, Morelia, and Tijuana and other cities bordering the United States in an effort to curb a significant increase in drug-related gang violence. Although this violence is not normally targeted at foreigners, foreign residents and tourists have been among the victims.
You should avoid all large public gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur. In the event of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. Information on hurricanes or other severe weather conditions can be obtained from U.S. National Hurricane Center and Tropical Prediction Center. See the Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate section for detailed advice.
OR NO WORRIES MATEY!
Of all these places, I have only been to Colombia and you know, it’s not that bad
Yes, Mexicans are bandits. They like to kill and use fire arms in our country.
I still wanna visit Mexico someday though and Brazil also.
I do agree that this can happen it these counites . I think that you have to be smart when visiting these countries and dont go alone. Anyone visiting these countries should try not to stand out. Blend in with the locals. I do recommend that anyone traveling to these places. Only stay in tourist locations. These are nice places to visit you just have to be careful and use common sense.
finally my country wins something
@ Benjamin del df
Well at least posts like this might help keep the ignorant, paranoid people out of your beautiful country