20 Countries Everyone Warns You About But Are Actually Safe
Which Of These Countries Will You Put Back On Your Bucket List?
Traveling to any foreign country demands a certain degree of caution; however, some have been unfairly singled out as "unsafe" destinations. In reality, many countries deemed dangerous because of their history or depiction in the media have lower crime rates than the US or Western Europe. Here are 20 countries people think are dangerous to travel to, but actually aren't.
1. Colombia
For many decades, Colombia had a reputation as a dangerous country, and for good reason: it was essentially run by one of the most violent cartel leaders of all time, Pablo Escobar. However, since his death, the Colombian cartel isn't the powerful force it used to be, and the country is generally safe for tourists.
2. Thailand
There's a common misconception that Thailand is unsafe, largely because people are afraid of what they don't know. Thailand is actually one of the safest countries in Asia, with friendly locals and low crime rates.
3. Rwanda
For much of the 20th century, Rwanda was embroiled in deep political unrest, which culminated in a horrific genocide in the 90s. However, nowadays, Rwanda is an incredibly safe and peaceful nation.
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4. Serbia
Serbia was rife with conflict in the 90s, with the Yugoslav Wars and the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia affecting its reputation. However, in the decades since, it's become a peaceful country with a lower crime rate than even many Western European countries.
5. Croatia
Croatia was once part of a war zone, affecting people's perception of it to this day. However, it's now a popular summer destination for people across Europe, known for its gorgeous beaches, excellent sailing, and festivals.
6. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina was the site of a brutal conflict in the 90s, leaving deep scars and a war-torn image of the country that sticks in many people's minds to this day. While there's visible poverty in the country, it's also full of beauty, rich culture, and warm locals.
7. South Korea
The perception of South Korea being unsafe stems from the fact that it borders North Korea, a politically unstable, unpredictable enemy of the West. However, South Korea is actually one of the safest countries in the world for travelers, with low crime rates and high levels of public security.
8. Vietnam
Many Americans still have a negative perception of Vietnam because of the Vietnam War, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century for Americans. In reality, it's one of the safest places in Southeast Asia, with the greatest danger being traffic chaos.
9. Chile
Chile has a long history of social unrest, bloody revolutions, and authoritarianism. However, today it's one of the safest countries in South America and very welcoming to tourists.
10. Argentina
Argentina has a history of violent protests and brutal military rule, affecting international perception. While today Argentina is in a period of economic hardship, it's still a safe and popular tourist destination with low rates of violent crime.
11. Indonesia
Indonesia is often perceived as unsafe because of its history of terrorism and natural disasters. However, it's generally very safe for travelers with well-developed tourist infrastructure and exceptionally warm locals.
12. India
Many steer clear of India because of perceptions about safety. While in some areas there's a risk of petty crime and harassment, major tourist centers are actually very safe. Keep in mind, India is a huge country with many regions boasting extremely low crime rates.
13. Mexico
Mexico still makes headlines for violent crimes, mostly related to drug cartels. However, for travelers, it's generally a very safe country with plenty of security precautions in tourist areas.
14. Cambodia
Cambodia's history under a brutal communist regime has given it a less-than-stellar international reputation. However, today it's very safe and locals are accustomed to international visitors.
15. Morocco
Western media commonly lumps Morocco in with unsafe North African or Middle Eastern countries, but it's actually a lot safer than many Westerners assume. Beatnik artists, writers, and celebrities made it a hot tourist destination as far back as the mid-20th century, so locals are used to seeing visitors.
16. Turkey
Turkey's complex political climate and history of terrorist attacks contribute to the perception that it's an unsafe country. However, places like Istanbul and Cappadocia are far from conflict zones and are generally very safe and friendly.
17. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's history of civil war and extremism has tarnished its international reputation. However, the rate of violent crime against travelers is very low, especially in tourist areas like Colombo and Galle.
18. Namibia
Namibia is often perceived as unsafe because of its remote location and wildlife hazards. However, it's one of the safest countries in Africa, with well-organized tourism and friendly locals.
19. Laos
Laos's reputation as a risky country comes from its history of war and the fact that it only rarely appears in international media, and when it does, it's always with negative coverage. In reality, Laos is extremely safe and welcoming with a very low rate of violent crime.
20. Oman
People's perception of Oman as a dangerous country largely comes from the tendency to lump it in with its more unstable Middle Eastern neighbors. However, it's one of the safest countries in the region with a strong security presence and low crime rates.
