Top Ten Most Dangerous Countries for Travel

10. Colombia

Even though Colombia has greatly improved since its violent low point in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Pablo Escobar-led Medellin drug cartel engaged in open warfare with the government and earned the title of "murder capital of the world," travelers should exercise caution when visiting the country.

Although once violent towns like Bogota and Medellin are generally regarded as secure for tourists, drug cartels and the paramilitary FARC (which has an estimated 10,000 members) continue to rule much of the country's rural and wooded regions. Even in recent years, the FARC has engaged in open conflict with the Colombian military by carrying out large-scale terrorist assaults, drug trafficking, and abduction. Due of this, a large portion of the nation is prohibited from tourists. Additionally, it is strongly advised against using a bus on particular highways since gangs and guerrillas have been known to hijack them and steal or even kill the passengers inside.

But there is grounds for optimism after a recent truce between the FARC and the Colombian government since the organization has pledged to give up its weapons and stop engaging in terrorism. The homicide rate in Colombia in 2016 was 24.4 per 100,000 people, which is the lowest level since 1974. Colombia's stunning scenery and exciting cities should not deter visitors from visiting, but it is advisable to stay on the trodden path and avoid venturing into high-risk areas.

9. Lesotho

Tourists should avoid visiting the tiny African nation of Lesotho, which is totally contained inside the borders of South Africa. Despite the fact that organized crime is not a significant problem in the nation, poverty and unemployment have resulted in extraordinarily high crime rates, and tourists are regularly the target of attacks and robberies, especially in densely populated places during the day.

In addition, Lesotho has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, with 25% of adults thought to be HIV positive. Any kind of sexual conduct is strictly forbidden. Lesotho's inadequate and outdated medical facilities increase the risks. It is quite challenging to find proper medical care in the nation in the event of an injury or illness.

8. Nigeria

Travel to Nigeria, a country in West Africa, has recently proven very dangerous and unwise. Due to the high incidence of robberies, sexual assaults, and other risks, the U.S. Government issued a travel warning in April 2017 advising all nationals to avoid all except the most essential travel to the country.

In the country's northwest, the Islamic extremist organization Boko Haram has a resolute presence and routinely targets churches, schools, and government buildings in massive, devastating attacks. The terrifying gang earned the dubious distinction of dethroning ISIS as the most deadly terrorist organization in the world in 2015. Boko Haram's reign of terror, which resulted in an astounding 6073 fatalities in 2014, ought to be sufficient to deter anybody from visiting Nigeria.

It's unfortunate because the nation has a diversified and lush scenery with savannahs, tropical rainforests, and mangrove swamps. Additionally, Nigerian traditional music and art are rich and never-endingly intriguing. However, before even contemplating visiting the nation, travelers should hold off until the threat presented by Boko Haram and other violent organizations has significantly decreased.

7. Burundi

Another African country that presents a severe risk to potential tourists is Burundi. The unstable political climate and significant risk of violence in the nation prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a travel advisory in June.

Due to Burundi's open borders and weak border security, marauding gangs and militia groups from the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo frequently invade the nation and assault locals and foreigners. 325,000 Burundians have fled their native country in the last two years for safer neighboring nations due to the seriousness of the danger.

Roadways are highly constrained and car movement across the nation is extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to the turmoil and unpredictably occurring vehicular ambushes. That ought to be sufficient to deter visitors from coming to the nation for the foreseeable future.

6. Mali

Unfortunately, Mali is another another country in Africa where there is such a significant chance of assaults, armed robberies, and other risks that traveling there is impossible. In the capital city of Bamako, terrorist organizations with ties to Al-Qaeda and other jihadist organizations have undertaken an open campaign of terror against Westerners in hotels, nightclubs, mosques, and other locations that were formerly thought to be secure. The Mali government recently prolonged its state of emergency owing to the circumstances, and regrettably, there is little reason to believe that the bloodshed will soon come to an end given that terrorist activity is predicted to remain constant or perhaps pick up in the coming months.

A handful of Americans are reportedly being kept hostage in the nation, either for ransom money or for religious reasons. Kidnapping is another constant worry. In other words, avoid Mali at all costs.

5. Mauritania

Another country that has seen terrorist bloodshed over the past ten years is Mauritania, which is to the west of Mali. ISIS and other deadly terrorist organizations are well-established in the nation; they are well-known for randomly attacking and killing foreigners connected to humanitarian organizations and western governments, and they have openly said that they want to keep doing so. Christian missionary group members are also targeted.

The government has designated parts of the country's eastern half as restricted areas due to the high concentration of terrorist activities there. Although it's exceedingly improbable that anybody would want to visit there, persons must seek special authorization from the government in order to do so. It is best to stay away from Mauritania totally till things get better.

4. Chad

The poor nation of Chad in Central Africa is going through a wave of horror and carnage at the hands of terrifying paramilitary forces and Islamist extremist groups like Boko Haram.

Boko Harem launched a brutal assault in Chad in 2015 with an attack on a fishing community along the shores of Lake Chad that left many people dead. Since then, the Chadian military has waged battle against the organization with little success. For the time being, it is strongly suggested that you avoid Chad if you do not want to end up in the middle of this battle.

The prevalence of kidnappings for ransom and the large number of minefields close to the Sudanese border are two additional possible risks to international tourists. In addition, it's extremely hot, there's a lot of sickness, and food is in short supply.

3. Pakistan

Pakistan, a country in South Asia known for its long-standing rivalry with its neighboring India and as Osama bin Laden's final safe haven, comes in third on our list of the most dangerous tourist destinations, a welcome change from the impoverished African countries engulfed in conflict with terrorist groups.

However, Pakistan has a trait with the aforementioned struggling African nations in that it is rife with ideologically driven violence. Depressingly frequent are sectarian clashes and terrorist bombs that target people. Suicide explosions that result in scores of fatalities are the rule rather than the exception.

The nation has been brought to its knees by a number of high-profile attacks this year, including a devastating suicide bombing outside a shrine in the ancient city of Sehwan, which left 90 people dead and over 300 injured and for which ISIS claimed responsibility. As a result, the U.S. State Department has issued a stern travel warning, advising foreigners living in or visiting Pakistan to exercise extreme caution. It is obvious that terrorist organizations deliberately target foreigners in both murder and kidnapping.

Many parts of the country are simply off limits to tourists and, more importantly, to representatives of the U.S. government because of the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of the violence there.

Unfortunately, Pakistanis are generally a calm and kind people. The murder rate in the nation is far lower than that of many other nations that many would consider safer, like Russia, as well as many American cities.

Nevertheless, Pakistan's precariousness and instability are exacerbated by strong anti-Western sentiment, widespread prejudice against LGBTQ people, and a host of environmental dangers, such as the potential for flash floods and earthquakes to cause significant harm and fatalities in major cities like Karachi (due to deteriorating, inadequate infrastructure and nonexistent drainage systems). Definitely not a destination for backpackers.

2. El Salvador

El Salvador is a small country with a notorious reputation for violence that is even by Central American standards, a place where danger lurks around every turn.

El Salvador is overrun with surplus weapons and at the mercy of vicious and sadistic street gangs, particularly MS-13 and Barrio 18, in part because of a protracted, demoralizing civil war that took place between 1979 and 1992 between the right-wing military-centric government of El Salvador (supported by the U.S.) and a number of leftist rebel groups. The conflict, which cost tens of thousands of lives, lasted for twelve years.

These gangs openly participate in abduction, drug peddling, and vehicle (and bus) jackings to an extent that law enforcement is unable to handle. The majority of those harmed by the disorder are, unsurprisingly, El Salvadorians themselves. According to a 2016 Central American University survey, 24.5% of Salvadorians were harmed by a crime in 2015. Foreigners are not expressly targeted, but it is simple to become a victim of a gang war or to be preyed upon in an unprovoked attack.

El Salvador is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, which bring flooding and unforeseen mudslides, in addition to the possibility of violence.

Backpackers traveling through Central America are strongly recommended to bypass this stop, despite the fact that its murder rate has decreased recently as a result of a national military mission to suppress gang activities.

(1) Honduras

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Honduras tops the list of the most unsafe places to go. The country of Central America has had one of the highest rates of homicide in the world during the previous ten years. 47 American residents have been killed in the nation since 2017, including 4 in 2016, and many more visitors have been robbed or attacked, even in resort regions and other locations that are thought to be secure.

The presence of powerful street gangs like MS-13, which are not afraid to resort to extreme means like abduction, house invasions, and even bus robberies in order to acquire money, is blamed for a large portion of the violence. The gangs also have influence over a number of cab companies, which they use to steal and demand money from unsuspecting passengers. In contrast to other nations where criminal groups frequently avoid visitors, everyone is a target in Honduras. Even worse, the underpaid and poorly equipped police force lacks the means to adequately defend itself.

Another danger on the roads of Honduras is the lack of exact traffic signs or the complete absence of them. Local drivers frequently disregard traffic laws, speeding and passing in dangerous circumstances. Driving in defense is essential.

The 2016 homicide rate of 59.1 murders per 100,000 people is down from the alarming 86.5 murders per 100,000 people in 2011, yet it is still advisable for travelers to stay away from this nation entirely.