Most of us love to travel, but sadly, there are some places in the world where we Americans might not get the warmest welcome. Sometimes, it’s because of politics, and other times, it’s because of strict travel rules. Here are 18 places you might want to be careful about visiting or avoid altogether.
North Korea
North Korea’s probably one of the most famous no-go places for Americans, as there are plenty of government rules about who can visit and how. America and North Korea don’t exactly have the best relations, meaning you can only visit as part of a special tour. You can also forget about free-roaming because it’s not allowed.
Iran
Any plans you might have to visit Iran will probably remain plans for the foreseeable future. The political drama between our countries makes getting a visa quite difficult, and even if you do get in, expect a lot of rules and eyes on you. Once you get back to America, things will also be difficult for you.
Syria
There’s a lot of conflict going on in Syria, which has made it extremely difficult for tourists, especially from America. For our safety, our own government has made it pretty much off-limits. If you want to check out some ancient Syrian ruins, you’ll have to wait until things calm down quite a lot.
Venezuela
Sadly, Venezuela has seen better days, thanks to all those economic issues and political instability. This has made it hard for all visitors, including Americans. After all, food shortages and safety issues mean that a trip there is hardly going to be fun, so you might want to keep Venezuela off your travel list in the meantime.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, they’re dealing with a lot of conflict, and danger zones are practically everywhere. It’s a risky pick for any traveler but even worse for Americans because there’s a lot of anti-American sentiment here. Unfortunately, the threats of terrorism and kidnapping are all too real.
Libya
Libya is another place where civil unrest makes visiting a real gamble since fighting is ongoing and there’s no real control. The security situation can change quickly, and the American government advises against going unless necessary. It’s not somewhere you should even think about visiting.
Somalia
The risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings, especially of American tourists, is sky-high in Somalia, so you should think twice about visiting. If things go south, the government here is unlikely to help you. Somalia is one of those places that’s better to read about than actually visit, at least right now.
Yemen
The ongoing war in Yemen means that any American tourist risks getting caught in an airstrike or ending up somewhere pretty dangerous. Even with the country’s rich history and beautiful scenery, it’s not worth the risks of visiting. Instead, you should just wait it out and hope for peaceful days ahead for Yemen.
North Sentinel Island
Whether or not you’ve heard of North Sentinel Island in India, it’s somewhere that you should avoid at all costs. The indigenous people aren’t fans of visitors and have been known to kill anyone who tries to visit. You should respect their space, especially since the island and the tribe’s way of life are respected by law.
Pakistan
As cool as it might be, things are complicated in Pakistan. Some places are welcoming, and some areas are downright dangerous, especially near the borders. A lot of people in Pakistan aren’t exactly positive about Americans, so you might want to completely avoid visiting the country.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a lot of history and tradition, but it also has plenty of strict rules. You’ll have to dress conservatively and be careful with any public displays of affection. While the country is starting to open up, the social norms are a lot more restrictive than what most Americans are used to.
Cuba
Cuba is just 90 miles off Florida’s coast, but it feels worlds apart, thanks to decades of embargoes. As an American, you’ll have to deal with restrictions on spending money and certain products. And that’s only if you’re even able to get there, as getting a visa is difficult enough by itself.
Russia
The current conflict with Ukraine makes it extremely difficult for Americans to visit Russia. If you do manage to get there, you’ll have to deal with longer visa processes and more scrutiny from security. Many people here are quite hostile towards Americans, so you may want to avoid visiting.
Belarus
Like Russia, Belarus is another country that’s a no-go for Americans because of the Ukraine conflict. There are strict rules about protests and speaking out against the government, meaning that any Americans might be under closer watch than other tourists. You’re better off visiting other European countries that have more freedom.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, there are lots of safety problems to worry about, including kidnapping and other crimes. You must be extra cautious if you’re visiting one of the more remote or conflict-prone areas. You’re better off speaking to local guides and sticking to the beaten path because the risks just aren’t worth it.
Egypt
While Egypt has plenty of amazing sights to see, like the world-famous pyramids, threats of terrorism have caused major safety problems. This is particularly bad in tourist areas, where you’ll see more checkpoints and security. You’ll have to consider it before you decide to book a flight.
South Sudan
South Sudan might be the world’s youngest nation, but the conflict here has existed for quite some time. Americans should admire the country’s natural beauty from a distance because the dangers are far too great. You just never know what could happen on the ground.
Myanmar
Political unrest and military control mean that the situation in Myanmar is pretty dangerous. The US government recommends people don’t visit because there’s a huge risk you could be detained. If you want to explore Southeast Asia, you should probably stick to safer and more stable destinations.
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