10 most dangerous cities in the world for tourists

1. Kingston, Jamaica

The picturesque capital of Jamaica is full of tourist attractions. For example, the museum of the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, the museum of the pirate city of Port Royal, the botanical Hope Garden, the colonial-style Devon House, which was owned by the first black millionaire in local. Not to mention the magnificent jungle and beaches surrounding Kingston.

But at the same time, Jamaica is one of the most cruel states in your region. In 2022, there were 52.9 murders per 100,000 inhabitants of the island. At that time it was the most outstanding indicator among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. And in general in Kingston high crime level - common muggings, street assaults, rapes, pickpocketing, and drug and gang offenses. Naturally, the poorer the inhabitants of the area and the darker the time of day, the higher the risk of meeting with criminals.

2. Caracas, Venezuela

In the heart of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is the main square of the city - Plaza Bolivar. There were a lot of people around her attractions: Cathedral, National Congress and Archbishop's Chamber. In addition, the Juan Antonio Perez Museum, which stores the cultural and historical heritage of the country, the University Campus, included to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the bridge of General Rafael Urdaneta. And in the East Park and the Caricuao Zoo, you can spend time outdoors, surrounded by greenery and beautiful landscapes.

However, enjoying the natural and architectural beauties of Caracas interferes high crime level. Murder, armed robbery, pickpocketing and auto theft are commonplace here, especially in poor neighborhoods. There are frequent cases when on the streets of the city people kidnapped for the purpose of redemption.

The situation is complicated by the fact that local law enforcement agencies, to put it mildly, are not very interested in their work. According to statistics, 98% of crimes in Venezuela do not lead to criminal prosecution.

3. Tijuana, Mexico

In Tijuana, located on the border of Mexico and the United States, you can find a lot of interesting things. This and the Monumental Arch - a symbol of the city and the most popular place for photo shoots, and the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, with its curious baroque architecture, and the Avenue Revolution, known for souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, and the Assembly Museum, dedicated to contemporary art.

Tijuana would be a great city for tourism, if not for the off-scale level of organized crime. In 2022, the city was awarded the "title" of the most dangerous in the world - in it registered 138 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants. For comparison: in Acapulco, the second most dangerous city in the world ranking, the rate is 110 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

Except murders, which on average registered around seven a day, kidnappings for ransom and human trafficking, drug sales, and gunfights between gangs and police are not uncommon in Tijuana.

4. Nairobi, Kenya

The Kenyan capital is famous for its national park - the only one in the world located within the city limits. This circumstance does not bother elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, jackals and other curious animals that live in the park. In addition, Nairobi boasts its National Museum full of unique exhibits and authentic markets selling a variety of local crafts, decorations and products.

But at the same time, due to the poor economy and poverty of the population, the city experiencing big security issues. Car theft, armed robbery and theft are extremely common crimes here. Often thieves snatched out valuable items from open car windows when drivers stop at traffic lights or in traffic jams. Kidnapping and arms trafficking too happen.

Frequent and occasional fraudwhen criminals extort money from gullible tourists using fake documents and posing as government or police officers. Real police officers, alas, do not always cope with the suppression of crimes.

In addition, Nairobi sometimes becomes a target for attacks by the extremist group Al-Shaabab. For example, in 2019, terrorists attacked a hotel near the city center, as a result of which 21 people died and about 30 were injured.

5. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and the most popular tourist destination in the country. In it you can climb Table Mountain - the symbol of the city and one of the seven new wonders of nature, walk along the V&A Waterfront and enjoy ocean views, visit the many colorful shops and restaurants. Add to that the Two Oceans Aquarium, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, fortress Good Hope, the oldest building in the country, and Robben Island, where kept Nelson Mandela - and get the formula for the attractiveness of Cape Town for tourists.

At the same time, the city suffers from a high crime rate. It averages 68.3 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants, so Cape Town included in the list of 15 most dangerous cities in the world. In addition, here going on more murders, rapes, robberies and gang attacks than in any other city in the country, with the possible exception of Durban - another "criminal capital" of South Africa. Causes commonplace - Poverty, unemployment and racial conflicts.

6. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

The capital of Papua New Guinea is one of the most interesting cities for tourists in Oceania. Here you can visit the National Museum and Art Gallery, which displays a collection of traditional art and culture of local peoples, or go to the Botanical Garden, which contains the rarest species of plants, birds and animals, such as birds of paradise and tree kangaroo. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is an opportunity to go surfing, diving or fishing on the shores of the Coral Sea.

However, with all the undeniable advantages of Port Moresby, it also has one minor drawback - it proudly bears the title of one of the most dangerous cities in the world. UN researchers appreciated the level of security in the city as "critical".

In the slums here going on real rampant crime. Local gangs whose members called “splits” themselves, attack visitors, rob them and can even kidnap a person. Tourists who inadvertently wander into the poor areas of Port Moresby risk becoming victims of robbery, rape or killings. Yes, and contract malaria or other infectious diseases.

7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is full of attractions that attract tourists from all over the world. Perhaps the most famous of them is the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado, which offers stunning views of the city and Guanabara Bay. Another popular spot with great views is Sugarloaf, a 396-meter-high granite hill from where you can enjoy sunsets. And of course, the famous beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

But Rio, like many other cities in Latin America, is suffering under pressure. crime. On the slopes of the mountains around the city located the poorest areas are favelas, whose inhabitants do not always have even basic sanitary facilities. The authorities interfere little in the internal affairs of the favelas, so the poverty here is accompanied by drug trafficking, gang wars, kidnapping for ransom, theft, theft and human trafficking.

You should definitely stay away from the slums of Rio de Janeiro. But even in quieter areas of the city, tourists may face riots and random robberies, especially during mass events like carnivals and football matches, or even during peak hours on the beaches.

8. Port-au-Prince, Haiti

In this exotic corner on the Caribbean coast, tourists can visit the National Pantheon of Haiti - a museum dedicated to history and heroes country, the ruins of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Church of St. Anne, as well as Cham de Mars - the central square where the snow-white government building. In addition, Port-au-Prince is famous for its restaurants with French, Caribbean and Creole cuisine, as well as bars where you can taste real Haitian rum.

It would seem that a paradise for a traveler, but Haiti is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world, it has serious Problems with security, infrastructure and hygiene. Average in Port-au-Prince committed 54.75 murders per 100,000 inhabitants per year, which makes the capital one of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world.

Power in the city divide between themselves about two hundred bandit groups, and street wars, robbery, the death of civilians under the crossfire of criminals on the streets are not uncommon. After all, in the city you can easily catch yellow fever, diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis A and B.

9. Baghdad, Iraq

Baghdad is a city with a rich history and culture that is able to interest any tourist with its attractions. Among them are the monument to Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, the Abbasid Palace, the al-Khaidarkhaneh Mosque, the National Museum of Iraq and Mutanabbi Street, where booksellers gather. The capital of Iraq is also known for its gardens and parks and traditional oriental shops.

However, Baghdad is one of the most dangerous cities due to the high crime rate and terrorist threat. Tourists may be victims of kidnapping, robbery, rape, killing or exploding a bomb at any moment. Such a sad situation tied with political instability, poverty and violence from religious extremist groups.

10. Kabul, Afghanistan

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, located at an altitude of about 1,800 meters above sea level. sea, is revered by fans to tickle their nerves as a very promising tourist direction. There is something to see here: the mosque of Abdul Rahman, the ancient fortress of Bala Hissar, which served the residence of the Afghan rulers until the 19th century, the garden of Babur, created by the founder of the Mughal empire in the 16th century, and the picturesque Paghman Valley.

But those who dare to visit Kabul will face many dangers. Afghanistan located in a state of military conflict for many years. The city regularly terrorist attacks, shootouts, explosions, kidnappings and attacks on foreigners.