Folks Online Point Out 35 Of The Most Disappointing Places They’ve Visited Or Would Never Want To Visit
Quick, close your eyes and think about the places that you’d love to visit one day, Pandas. Odds are that you instantly imagined those places, and that brought a smile to your faces. You might have thought about traveling across Iceland or Japan, or flying off to Paris, Rome, London, or New York. Or you might even be hyped about visiting some tiny town that practically nobody’s heard of. But let’s make things a bit more interesting, shall we?
What are some places that you’d avoid like the plague? It’s a tad more difficult, isn’t it? While you’re pondering this (possibly in front of a gigantic map of the world on the wall), have a scroll and read some of the thoughts that members of the r/AskReddit community shared on this very question.
Someone asked them about the countries they’d never visit, and these internet users were very candid about where they’d hate to end up. You’ll find their opinions and arguments below.
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Any country where in law I, as a woman, am considered a second class citizen (or else property). Which is an annoyingly extensive list.
Dubai. The amount of culture-less decadence looks absolutely disgusting.
There were a few things at the top of most redditors’ minds. These internet users explained that they’re worried about safety, the low quality of life, and a country’s lack of respect for human rights.
Nobody wants to risk their lives unnecessarily. And some commenters felt like they’d be doing just that. But it’s not all based on just opinions and hearsay.
Any country whose Rule of Law is enforced by the religious folk.
"To many Americans, beliefs in God and Americanism has become synonymous. A 2015 survey found that 69% of respondents thought it was important to believe in God to be truly American. And Americans are expected to embrace national slogans such as In God We Trust and one nation, under God. 7 States Still Have Bans on Atheists Holding Office : Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas."
Russia. F**k Putin.
MrLanesLament added:
Leadership will likely go to one of his cronies, or at least another post-Soviet power leeching oligarch, upon his death.
I so wish I could visit Russia, I just don’t see it being safe for an American to visit anytime in the next few decades. The situation seems a bit North Korean, where an American visitor will just be framed for a crime if the government thinks they’d be useful as a bargaining chip.
Can we all report Annie Duke the bot, the spammers are annoying the hell out of me today!
North Korea
IASIP_Official said:
If I weren't an American, then I totally would for the mere fact that it is a glimpse into a whole other world.
But, since I'm an American, I don't want to end up as a bargaining chip for nuclear arms.
bromosa_mimosa added:
You shouldn't visit even if you were NOT American.
North Korea on paper is a country, but in reality it is a criminal organization. The goal is money. All of this other weird shit like wacky rules and nukes is just to keep people in line and nations on their toes. The goal is money for the top people.
Visiting North Korea helps them achieve these goals. You perpetuate human suffering for these "fringe" trips.
You would get a glimpse of what they want you have a glimpse of and then probably a glimpse of a reeducation camp
According to the World Population Review, the top 20 most dangerous countries in the world (in decreasing order of danger) include Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Russia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Somalia, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Ukraine, North Korea, Libya, Mali, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Turkey, and Colombia.
In short, these were the least safe places on Planet Earth in 2022. The Global Peace Index took into account areas like safety and security, and militarization.
America. I'ld be so afraid to get shot
Don't be afraid. We're actually a very friendly country full of nice people and not everyone has guns. My dad did because he was a marine, and a friend does because he hunts, but that's it; no one else that I know has guns. Edit: I feel the need to clarify my comments above. Further down the thread I'm called naive and that I can't know if the people in my life carry guns. I'm 62 years old and have lived around the country at various times through my younger years, and I've met alot of people and experienced alot of life. When it comes to guns, I'm not naive. I know that we need gun control, I know that there are too many guns out and about, and too many idiots carrying them. But, many of us are trying to change that. The people that I mention above were/are gun owners. My now deceased dad occasionally took us target shooting and was always responsible when around guns. He taught us how to be safe around them and he kept them locked up. My friend locks up his rifles, and he lives alone. He only uses them for hunting when it's deer season. The hunting is something that I don't like and it bothers me. But I also know what a careful, responsible person he is. As far as knowing if other people have guns, you're right...I can't know everything, but I do know that my other family members and my friends are gun-free.
Saudi Arabia.
lal0cur4 said:
Saudi, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain are on the Absolutely No list for me.
Oman is the only country on the Arabian peninsula I would go to. I would like to go to Yemen too, but its currently an active war zone so that's not going to be an option anytime soon.
China, wouldn't want to give their horrible government any money through tourism. Not that my meager fees would matter anyway.
The country and people are beautiful. So much history there that’s ancient and lovely. Now the Chinese government on the other hand, that’s frightening.
However, different countries are more dangerous for different people. For instance, South Africa is considered to be the most dangerous country in the entire world for solo female travelers. Barely 25% of women in the country reported feeling safe walking alone at night.
In second place is Brazil while Russia is in third place. Mexico is the fourth most dangerous place for female travelers while the Dominican Republic is in fifth, according to the World Population Review.
Meanwhile, the top 10 safest countries for women are Spain, Singapore, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, Croatia, Canada, and Poland.
Somalia
prplx said:
Just read the is government travel advisory:
If you decide to travel to Somalia:
Review your personal security plan and visit our page on Travel to High-Risk Areas. Avoid sailing near the coast of Somalia and review the Live Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau. Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney. Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc. Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Find a suggested list of such documents here. Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization (if you are traveling on business) or consider consulting with a professional security organization. Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization (if you are traveling on business), so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify whom you would contact first, and how that person should share the information. Identify key sources of possible assistance for you and your family in case of emergency, such as the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, FBI, the State Department, your employer (if traveling on business), and local friends/family in the high-risk area. Be sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and members of Congress if you are taken hostage or detained. Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax). Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them. Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices that could be considered controversial or provocative by local groups. Leave your expensive/sentimental belongings behind.
Haiti
metachicken said:
Same. People are getting kidnapped like crazy in Haiti right now
Haiti appears to be a terrifying, chaotic, nearly unsalvageable, place right now.
Qatar
After what came out about this place during the world cup, I would be surprised that anyone would go there for any reason
That island where the locals kill you as soon as they see you.
North Sentinal island.
They just want to be left alone, that's their right. You'd think the Christian colonialists to have learned to stay away by now.
Afghanistan. Been there done that.
The US should have armed every female there before it left them defenseless
Really surprised that Papua New Guinea hasn’t made the list. It’s not Somalia but it’s not far off either.
A friend worked there briefly and spent the whole time in a heavily guarded gated complex (home), heavily guarded gated compound (work), or being escorted by armed guard in an armoured vehicle. He had to go through a number of debriefing sessions to adjust to the freedoms of normal life when he got back.
That’s a big no thanks from me
In today's world? A whole bunch. Even if I wore the local garb and had male escorts I would not feel safe and I would not enjoy my time surrounded by animals who only see me as a sex toy. As much as I would LOVE to see what these areas hold, war torn countries, violent countries, places with large cartel presence, countries with a lot of corruption, countries who aren't exactly friends with my country....
I love traveling and I love exploring but I also love being whole and alive.
I am amazed India isnt on the list. I travelled there and would never go back. The treatment of the lower classes was disgusting. I saw a man litterally peeing on a street cleaner scrubbing the sidewalk. And rapes, burning of women... Of one few countries I was afraid to walk alone in.
Israel because of their apartheid aggression against Palestine.
I just want to get something straight: lots of ppl from palestine dont hate JEWS they hat the Israel government - bug difference -please dont downvote tho
New Zealand. I wouldn’t want to come back.
My first comment got down voted.... for basically saying that NZ would be awesome - for agreeing with the post. Some pandas need some more bamboo.
I follow a lot of travel groups, and whenever someone asks for the worst travel experience, an overwhelming amount of people always say Egypt.
One deleted user said:
One youtuber said they seemed so paranoid and disorganized in Egypt. They confiscated his drone, but he had to instruct them to make some sort of receipt system so he'd have a way to get it back. They were just putting it in a plastic bag, with no sticker or marking, or anything. Nobody knew the rules, if there were any. He had been to a lot of African and other countries, and never had such a disorganized and hostile time entering a country.
Any nation with adversarial relations with the USA. I don't want to be held as a political prisoner bargaining chip because they caught me with a damn vape pen.
I follow some travel subs and India and Egypt often come up as not worth it at all.
India was intense. Drove us mental after only two weeks. The constant begging, harassment, chaos, hussles. But also intensely beautiful, special, colorful, architecture, food. We fled into smaller villages, to wind down. Best decision. I would still recommend India. Just maybe not for your first abroad trip. :)
Well I'm trans so most of them
Well, you've always got Transylvania available, although some of the inhabitants can be a pain in the neck.
Indonesia [now that sex out of marriage](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights) is gonna probably be illegal. Not the place to go for women and LGBTQ people.
Only a close relative (parent, spouses, children) can report under the law so you're only at risk if you go on holiday with your partner AND your family.
Mauritania still has slavery. [And locusts]
All that oceanfront property and it still looks like hell on earth.
Barbygurl said:
I've been to Mauritania, Nouckachott is probably the worst thing about the country unless you venture out to the less built areas. They do have some nice vast beaches especially close to the airport and the desert is fascinating, but what's mostly sad is that even if you drive for a few miles away from the populated areas you're still bound to see rubbish and litter all over the place
Anywhere that is not America. Not because I'm proud of my country or anything, I can't afford to leave.
All countries in the tropics, they are too hot for my Scandinavian genes
Anywhere that's war torn, I could go to prison for accidentally breaking a tiny law, or anywhere where I could be put in prison as a political maneuver.
Dark-Elf-Mortimer said:
Ukraine is war torn but is relatively safe to foreigners unless you wander close to the front or in closed areas. Some minor inconveniences of being woken up to siren, explosion, or plane, but no big danger.
and anyone who likes Slavic culture would want to visit Ukraine.
I'd love to eventually see Ukraine. But I am a bit frightened because of Putin's complete lack of respect for civilians and war crimes.
Serbia, I'm Bosnian incase you ask why.
Well, I'm french with a Serbian husband and I agree with you. This country and its beautiful culture are sinking into a sad sad mess. Xenophobia is only a part of the phenomenon. Screw you vucic
I'm pretty open to traveling anywhere (some places only if they make future political changes, like North Korea obviously, because I don't want all my travel expenses to fund organized crime)
The ones I would probably NEVER travel to are flat, desert countries. Like the UAE. I get that Dubai is a cool city but I'm not that interested in going somewhere just for cool skyscrapers, seen plenty of those already.
Eritrea
Where to start? Abject poverty, Border wars with Ethiopia, Eritrea's had only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service – divided between military and civilian service – of indefinite length.
Sudan.
irony_in_the_UK said:
A guy named Dan on reddit roadtripped throughout most of Africa over 2-3 years and visited Sudan near the end of his trip. It doesn't appear to be a particularly bad place to visit, but it does seem unfairly isolated by the rest of the world.
His youtube channel shows his trip through Sudan if you're curious at all.
Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt and reportedly some of the friendliest people in the world .
bali after the new law
Note: this post originally had 37 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
Just came to say that this article is s****y and super mean-spirited and the author(s) should find another hobby.
I find it pointless, because you really can't generalize nations like that. Traveling broadens your mind, but if you block your mind with prejudice, you may as well stay home. My experience of all the countries I have visited is very much connected to the people I've met there. Because the people I've met in England, Greece and India have been exceptionally nice, I have a positive impression of those countries. I have met some very rude Swedes, so of course I'd be reluctant about going there. It's all very subjective.
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Wow just wow. When did Bored Panda become a hate group. Get out see the world. Drink a beer in another country with someone that doesn’t look like you. You might learn to appreciate something you never understood before.
Making Americans discovering that their foreign policy make them hated in 90% of the world
I quit this list halfway. A few had genuine arguments on why not to visit. But after a few it became just based on "read articles" or just plain sarcasm.
Why is everyone always crapping on America??? All countries have a bad side, bad people, etc. I don't fit into half of the categories people list about America, but I instantly suck because I'm an American?!
I’m sorry you got downvoted. I gave you an upvote. It’s true though, anyone mentioning they are American on BP are automatically disliked.
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Life is too simple, wherever you go you are just a guest, respect the place and the people and leave. Don't expect anyone to believe in what you believe or see the world as you see it, all countries are good.
There are places in the world where my nationality or religion would make me unsafe. There are also places where I can't safely travel without my husband. But with prior knowledge I'd like to visit almost everywhere. Sailing around the world, living as travelers is absolutely our plan.
To sum it up, the only country left is Kazakhstan! XD Seriously the country is underestimated. But it has outstanding nature and unusual ancient culture. Kazakhstan has everything: pyramids, mountains, crystal lakes, mountain sports facility, endless plains, modern cities, rodeo, abandoned soviet spaceships. Borat movie was just a joke btw.
Americs,seriously so messed up,guns being shot ,people assaulted on subwsy tracks,crazy trump cult zealots, racists, women treared like second class citizans.If someone offered me 5000000 to move to America I can say in all honestly no way.
What's this sh.t? (I see that bad words are allowed with dots. ) Get rid of this sh.t from BP
Terrible article. Half the posts here reads like they haven't taken a plane before let alone visit said country.
So none of these people have actually gone to these places to make an informed decision? I quit after about 5.
As a person from the US "an American" in a foreign country presently on a vacation, BP has made me so subconscious about EVERYTHING I do. I don't know why I continue to read this stuff. At first I thought it was insightful, but now it's just hateful.
Lol the comments under every USA post makes you think that it is the most oppressive country in the world. Then go read the comments under every country where women have a special "dress code", they can't leave the house without "special clothes" and are not allowed to go to sport events etc. Some of those countries will punish you for being gay (even with death). One would think that the comments should be worse, but instead I see people trying to justify them, just because it is not USA. I guess many here live in a matrix
The repetition of these articles does get a tad annoying. It seems to happen a lot on bp
I read this whole list waiting for someone to say South Africa... Then no one did! We have friendly people and great beaches but if you like electricity to be on all the time then maybe it's not for you.
Tim, this actually got me thinking. The highest to-date number of US citizens who renounced their citizenship was in 2020. But everything, including embassies, shut down in what....end of March, beginning of April of 2020. So the reckord-breaking number is only from the 1st quarter of 2020 and yet it is the highest so far. Things remained closed for the majority of 2021, so we don't really know what it would have been for that year. I am now going to follow these statistics with even greater curiosity. Please comment on anything else that should be looked into further. Discourse is good (not at all meant to be sarcastic, in case there are doubts).
man, since when did BP become this place of hate?? man I found this a kind of ethnocentric view, some of these countries are pretty cool and this type of article it only scares others
No upvotes from me on any of these types of topics. They're designed to put down others and generate ill feeling and are very subjective. If a topic leaves me depressed and sad and wishing I hadn't read most of it then it's not worth any votes. Don't we have enough hatred and spite in the world already? I've been unable to upvote much recently, which brings me to another point. Who are the trolls downvoting innocuous comments? I'm starting to avoid BP. I don't need to have more miserable stuff piled onto my daily load. Enough already.
Tim, true, the statistics are something along these lines. COVID-19 closures of embassies around the world possibly artificially suppressed numbers thereafter, but we'll see. Nonetheless, increasingly higher number of people from the country we are incessantly told to believe is "the greatest on Earth" without questioning it further, are going thought the hassle of renouncing citizenship. And a hassle it is to do so. Including a hefty fee! In regards to the immigrants becoming citizens, there will always be places out there with worse conditions than here. For as long as there have been people on Earth, humans have moved from one location to another in search of better conditions. The top 5 nationalities of those who became US citizens in 2022 are from countries with overall worse conditions for a sizable number of their citizens. When looking at which countries they are, there is definitely a "read between the lines" message as to why 3 (4?) of these countries have unfavorable conditions for their citizens at this time.
This list is just a bunch of myopic xenophobia. Understand the world and its inhabitants is not homogeneous and that every country you visit isn't going to align with western values. If you want to remain in your bubble, then stay there, don't expect other countries to live up to your own social expectations.
Ya know, the social expectations of not being arrested cause you're gay / not being harassed cause you are a woman
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Just came to say that this article is s****y and super mean-spirited and the author(s) should find another hobby.
I find it pointless, because you really can't generalize nations like that. Traveling broadens your mind, but if you block your mind with prejudice, you may as well stay home. My experience of all the countries I have visited is very much connected to the people I've met there. Because the people I've met in England, Greece and India have been exceptionally nice, I have a positive impression of those countries. I have met some very rude Swedes, so of course I'd be reluctant about going there. It's all very subjective.
Load More Replies... Wow just wow. When did Bored Panda become a hate group. Get out see the world. Drink a beer in another country with someone that doesn’t look like you. You might learn to appreciate something you never understood before.
Making Americans discovering that their foreign policy make them hated in 90% of the world
I quit this list halfway. A few had genuine arguments on why not to visit. But after a few it became just based on "read articles" or just plain sarcasm.
Why is everyone always crapping on America??? All countries have a bad side, bad people, etc. I don't fit into half of the categories people list about America, but I instantly suck because I'm an American?!
I’m sorry you got downvoted. I gave you an upvote. It’s true though, anyone mentioning they are American on BP are automatically disliked.
Load More Replies... Life is too simple, wherever you go you are just a guest, respect the place and the people and leave. Don't expect anyone to believe in what you believe or see the world as you see it, all countries are good.
There are places in the world where my nationality or religion would make me unsafe. There are also places where I can't safely travel without my husband. But with prior knowledge I'd like to visit almost everywhere. Sailing around the world, living as travelers is absolutely our plan.
To sum it up, the only country left is Kazakhstan! XD Seriously the country is underestimated. But it has outstanding nature and unusual ancient culture. Kazakhstan has everything: pyramids, mountains, crystal lakes, mountain sports facility, endless plains, modern cities, rodeo, abandoned soviet spaceships. Borat movie was just a joke btw.
Americs,seriously so messed up,guns being shot ,people assaulted on subwsy tracks,crazy trump cult zealots, racists, women treared like second class citizans.If someone offered me 5000000 to move to America I can say in all honestly no way.
What's this sh.t? (I see that bad words are allowed with dots. ) Get rid of this sh.t from BP
Terrible article. Half the posts here reads like they haven't taken a plane before let alone visit said country.
So none of these people have actually gone to these places to make an informed decision? I quit after about 5.
As a person from the US "an American" in a foreign country presently on a vacation, BP has made me so subconscious about EVERYTHING I do. I don't know why I continue to read this stuff. At first I thought it was insightful, but now it's just hateful.
Lol the comments under every USA post makes you think that it is the most oppressive country in the world. Then go read the comments under every country where women have a special "dress code", they can't leave the house without "special clothes" and are not allowed to go to sport events etc. Some of those countries will punish you for being gay (even with death). One would think that the comments should be worse, but instead I see people trying to justify them, just because it is not USA. I guess many here live in a matrix
The repetition of these articles does get a tad annoying. It seems to happen a lot on bp
I read this whole list waiting for someone to say South Africa... Then no one did! We have friendly people and great beaches but if you like electricity to be on all the time then maybe it's not for you.
Tim, this actually got me thinking. The highest to-date number of US citizens who renounced their citizenship was in 2020. But everything, including embassies, shut down in what....end of March, beginning of April of 2020. So the reckord-breaking number is only from the 1st quarter of 2020 and yet it is the highest so far. Things remained closed for the majority of 2021, so we don't really know what it would have been for that year. I am now going to follow these statistics with even greater curiosity. Please comment on anything else that should be looked into further. Discourse is good (not at all meant to be sarcastic, in case there are doubts).
man, since when did BP become this place of hate?? man I found this a kind of ethnocentric view, some of these countries are pretty cool and this type of article it only scares others
No upvotes from me on any of these types of topics. They're designed to put down others and generate ill feeling and are very subjective. If a topic leaves me depressed and sad and wishing I hadn't read most of it then it's not worth any votes. Don't we have enough hatred and spite in the world already? I've been unable to upvote much recently, which brings me to another point. Who are the trolls downvoting innocuous comments? I'm starting to avoid BP. I don't need to have more miserable stuff piled onto my daily load. Enough already.
Tim, true, the statistics are something along these lines. COVID-19 closures of embassies around the world possibly artificially suppressed numbers thereafter, but we'll see. Nonetheless, increasingly higher number of people from the country we are incessantly told to believe is "the greatest on Earth" without questioning it further, are going thought the hassle of renouncing citizenship. And a hassle it is to do so. Including a hefty fee! In regards to the immigrants becoming citizens, there will always be places out there with worse conditions than here. For as long as there have been people on Earth, humans have moved from one location to another in search of better conditions. The top 5 nationalities of those who became US citizens in 2022 are from countries with overall worse conditions for a sizable number of their citizens. When looking at which countries they are, there is definitely a "read between the lines" message as to why 3 (4?) of these countries have unfavorable conditions for their citizens at this time.
This list is just a bunch of myopic xenophobia. Understand the world and its inhabitants is not homogeneous and that every country you visit isn't going to align with western values. If you want to remain in your bubble, then stay there, don't expect other countries to live up to your own social expectations.
Ya know, the social expectations of not being arrested cause you're gay / not being harassed cause you are a woman
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