15 Countries That Should Not Be On Your Vacation List

We all want to see the world and travel to every corner of the globe. There is just so much out there to experience! But you may want to skip these 15 countries that are really not good for tourists and visitors. These places can be very dangerous and not safe for even the residents of the area. There really are so many places you can visit and vacation that you are better off finding a different destination and crossing these unstable destinations off your list. You will be much better off!

Yemen

Unfortunately, Yemen remains a highly dangerous country due to a conflict that has been going on for years. Most people in the country urgently need humanitarian aid, and the area remains on the verge of famine. Citizens continue to die daily, mostly due to hunger, unsafe water, and lack of a proper healthcare system. On top of this, the country experienced a terrible cholera outbreak, causing a total of 4,0000 deaths since its beginning in 2016.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan remains one of the unhappiest countries in the world, with people living here – particularly women – being constantly under threat. Most of the country is experiencing extreme poverty, and the local government is constantly restricting women’s freedom, trying to completely eradicate their presence from public life, for instance, by prohibiting women from attending school.

Haiti

Despite the amazing beaches and friendly inhabitants, people are discouraged from traveling to Haiti. In case you’ve missed the news, this country is now experiencing surging violence as local armed gangs are slowly taking control of the country. Plenty of people have already been displaced, and nearly half of the population is struggling to feed themselves.

South Sudan

Unfortunately, this East African country remains one of the most dangerous places in the world. But why? With many urgently needing food and medical aid, South Sudan is experiencing a massive humanitarian crisis. Plenty of hospitals are out of service, and the situation keeps worsening. Reports also suggest that sexual violence is now being used as a weapon of war, making it extra dangerous for solo women to travel here.

Israel And Palestine

If you follow the news, you surely don’t need us to explain why all trips to Palestine and Israel should be canceled at the moment. However, let us refresh your memory. At the beginning of October 2023, Hamas-led militant groups killed hundreds of civilians who were attending a local concert. The event became known as the Re’im Music Festival massacre and started the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine, which led to the killing of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, and hundreds of Israelis.

Syria

In the last few years, Syria has experienced a violent conflict, which has led the country to experience a terrible humanitarian crisis. The local government keeps incarcerating civilians who disagree with local powers, with plenty of people being detained or suddenly disappearing. Despite being home to ancient cities such as Damascus and Aleepo, all trips to this country should be avoided now.

Myanmar

Located in Southeast Asia and also known as Burma, this country remains one of the most dangerous in the world. A violent conflict between forces loyal to the junta and the Arakan Army continues to threaten civilians with regular use of weapons. In the last three years, plenty of people have been killed, among which are many children and women.

Central African Republic

Most people would be unable to place this country on a map, yet the Central African Republic remains one of the most unstable countries in the world despite the little media coverage. Located in the heart of Africa, this area gained independence from France and has experienced continuous instability since then. On top of this, brutal practices such as forced marriages and female genital mutilation persist.

Ukraine And Russia

Similarly to Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia have been experiencing a violent conflict. The war started in February 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea. A few years ago, in February 2022, Putin announced a so-called ‘special military operation’ to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine. Unfortunately, thousands of people have been killed due to these conflicts.

Iran

Iran has been experiencing a humanitarian crisis for years. Despite the continuous protests from its inhabitants, the local government is still in place and keeps restricting women’s freedom. Back in 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini gave rise to plenty of demonstrations throughout the country. However, despite these, Iran remains largely unsafe for women, meaning that all travelers should opt for another destination.

Congo

Located on the earth of Africa, unfortunately, Congo is largely unsafe. Despite the beautiful natural characteristics of this country, the political situation here remains unstable due to an ongoing conflict between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 rebel group. This has already caused dozens of causalities from the beginning of 2024. Thousands of locals were forced to leave their homes, and the situation kept worsening.

Libya

Stuck between Tunisia and Egypt, Libya is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to its current political instability. This country is now divided into an administered region in the east experiencing high levels of instability and an internationally recognized government in Tripoli. Women living here lack basic rights and, as of today, are required by law to provide a detailed form whenever traveling without a man at their side, stating the reasons for their travel.

Somalia

With a beautiful coastline and a rich history, Somalia may intrigue you. But you should stay far away from this seemingly beautiful country. The area is extremely dangerous, especially for tourists. Kidnappings, piracy, and criminal activity are all too frequent. There is also almost no access to medical facilities, making it a very unsafe destination. Skip Somalia and look for a beautiful beach in a different country.

Mali

Mali is home to the ancient city of Timbuktu and incredible mud-brick architecture that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. However, you may want to peruse some pictures of Mali rather than visit the country in person. It is also full of crime, with many active terrorist groups and armed militia. Political instability, combined with frequent violent crime, makes Mali a very scary place to visit.

Venezuela

Political instability is the main reason why you should skip a trip to Venezuela. The country has been unstable for years, and this can often lead to unpredictable situations and disruptions in daily life. Safety concerns are also pretty significant, as high crime rates make some areas very dangerous for tourists and locals alike. Infrastructure is in poor condition, too, so you will experience frequent power outages and limited access to clean water and healthcare. Top that all off with hyperinflation that has affected the economy, and you have a recipe for disaster.