You don't always want to think about it, but sometimes traveling can be dangerous. For obviously dangerous cities, its good to take precaution and to keep safe so you come back home alive!
But no matter where you are traveling, make sure to always have your Passport, hide valuables (Or don't bring them at all) and don't stand out as a tourist.
I found a list of the 10 countries you are most likely to get kidnapped. Let's look at the top 3!
1.
Mexico – We're not surprised with Mexico on the list. The news has been filled with awful news stories about Americans being kidnapped for ransom. There is a lot of corruption and street crime that make cities like Tijuana or Juarez a hot spot.
2.
Brazil – The beautiful gem of South America; Brazil is a large country with beaches, rain forests, samba and crime. Attacks against tourists are common, so are muggings and kidnappings. It is best to always stay in groups and to carry a small amount of money when you're outside.
3.
Colombia – Also located in South America, Columbia is a troubled nation. It is the prime country for drug dealers, robberies and kidnappings. It is still a beautiful city with so much to offer from mountainous landscapes and beautiful scenery. But be careful of the guerrillas in the rural and border areas that are the most dangerous.
For more dangerous countries you will most likely be kidnapped in click
here.
Have you been to any of these countries? Do you agree with this list?
Comments (42)
I heard Colombia is much safer now than it was a decade or two ago, but I still wouldn't feel safe there.
Wow, some of that is pretty scary stuff. I've never been to any of these countries, but I'm curious as to how accurate the information really is.
I am from the UK, I been to Mexico to Cancun. Going to Mexico again for holiday next year
mmm cant say really. ive been to cancun and my cousins luggage was robbed on the way back! but hey what can you do?
These countries are beautiful, but it's just too bad that there's a risk of being harmed or kidnapped. I was wanting to go to Brazil, but a risk of being kidnapped is a risk too big.
Scary. Most of my friends been to Mexico, but they stay within the resorts.
Good to know, that's regardless of your background?
I hate staying w/in resorts, but I'm also not stupid.
just don't get shanghai'd in africa.
Mexico has always had this problem. I wonder why it's being treated as news. Same for Brazil.
Colombia, as another person said, is much much much safer now.
I'm surprised Russia is not on the list. Moscow is pretty dangerous. I thought people weren't even allowed in Chechnya?
Haiti, the hellhole of the Caribbean. I wish Haiti would improve. It has such a beautiful amazing history.
I went to Venezuela a few years ago, hated it. I could smell the crime... and I'm from a place with a lot of crime. I actually felt scared in Venezuela. Never felt that elsewhere.
This list seems kinda outdated to me...? Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think that there may be a few countries that are worse in terms of kidnappings now.
@Parsimony@xanga - In Latin America, if you look like a tourist, you're a target, especially an American tourist (no offense, but they always seem lost and like out of the loop with their surroundings), then yes, bad idea. Try to blend in as much as possible.
I'd like to visit Mexico so I can get kidnapped and taken through Colombia to Brazil, my true destination of choice. I'm a sucker for convenience.
man I have been all over the world....and to me it seems like no place is safe from kidnapping if you are American and even remotely look like your family may have money....
Add Philippines to any list and of course most of Africa,
Colombia is not a city. It's a country.
In Mexico, you'll be fine if you go to safe places. Tijuana and Juarez aren't in that category, but other cities are. A coworker of mine lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for a year and was just fine.
I find it very interesting that the linked article referes to the Soviet Union as 'the Russian Empire.'
im not surprised with mexico. im not surprised that all three countries are from south america, either.
I remember watching the movie "Taken".... It made me realize just how vulnerable, and how careless human nature can be.
This kind of makes me not want to travel to South America... But one day I'll risk it for the beauty of these places.
I don't have a problem believing Mexico's at the top of that list. I was stalked around the city by a taxi cab driver in Monterrey when I was 13...one of the scariest moments of my life! I know a few people who have been to Colombia though, and none of them have ever been vicitms of crime. Parasites yes, but crime no!
And fyi to some, mexico isn't in South America, it's part of North America....but close enough, I guess. lol
the one thing all of them have in common are the drug cartels. go figure....
this shit is stupid. use common sense and you'll be fine. don't be a dumbass and wander off on your own. america has its own crazy ass shit crimes too.
i've been to mexico recently. i think the crime rate is worse now that ever before.
i've never been to any of those places and never had an interest to go to Mexico, but sadly because of the media coverage, i really don't plan to go there. i may change my mind later on though. i've been to India and that was pretty scary but very exciting. i plan to go again
my mom went to mexico. she says it's nice, but scary there :O
I've been -into- Mexico, but it doesn't really count because we barely crossed the border into a tourist trap and were only there about two hours for a little shopping trip =] Everyone was extremely friendly, the only annoyance were the screaming venders, but it wasn't nearly as bad as NYC, and the Mexican venders were actually selling cool stuff like fresh Mexican popsicles, mangoes and chile powder, etc.
@poptarts812@xanga - Agreed
I've been to 2/3s of those countries. FYI Sao Paulo, Brazil is quite safe if you stick to the nicer areas.