One of the most dangerous places I’ve visited is the USA. We tend to think of dangerous places as being “third world” or “developing” countries. In fact I’ve felt safer in some African or Asian countries than I have in New York City. Maybe it’s just our perceptions that need to change.

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I’ve actually written a post on why you shouldn’t be scared to travel to South Africa and one of my readers responded with some detail.

http://www.foxnomad.com/2007/01/30/8-places-in-the-world-you-should-visit-but-might-be-scared-to/

Few places in the world are globally “scary” or “dangerous” to visit. I’ve seen plenty of the third world, and I’d rather do there that downtown L.A. anytime.

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I visited South Africa last year and saw no trouble whatsoever. However, take sensible precautions, don’t wear lots of jewellery, don’t walk on the beach after dark, carry your money somewhere safe and listen to the locals, they know the score. It is a great place to visit especially in the country areas.

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I guess the most dangerous place I have traveled to is Glacier National Park where you have to keep an eye out for the bears. But then that is why you are there.

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In Years gone by Darren it used to be The Valley, when Milwall played Charlton

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President Bush and his intransgient policies have made us enemies all over the world. No place is safe anymore. We have indeed become once again “The Ugly American.”

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Cardiff and London without a doubt. I spent six months in Cape Town Darren in 1989 and it was no bother.

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Till now i have not visited any dangerous place as you said. Thanks for sharing. In case if i visit these places i would take some precautions before get caught into any troubles .Most probably i try to avoid above places

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I am always frustrated by how South Africa gets such a bad rap for its crime. Yes, the crime is bad, but on a per-violent-crime basis it is not much worse than places like Washington, D.C., Birmingham, Alabama, or St. Louis, Missouri in the U.S. Also, most crime in SA happens between individuals who know each other (e.g. gangs), and is mostly concentrated in poor township areas. All this means that as a tourist, South Africa is relatively safe. As a matter of fact, based on available statistics, the chance of a tourist experiencing a violent crime (physical assault, mugging, gang attack, rape, or hijacking) is less than 0.67 %. As a tourist, the most you really have to worry about is petty theft and such. This risk can be minimized by traveling smart (e.g. not wearing flashy jewelry). I actually wrote a full article on this topic that you should check out: http://www.larktours.com/truth-about-crime-south-africa

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DETROIT! Even the front desk clerks at the hotel would advise us to be in the hotel and not wandering around downtown after dark.

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I have spent time in a jail in Syria, arrested for spying in Iran, shot at in Iran, done covert operations off the coast of Yemen, almost been attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia….

The most dangerous thing I see nowadays is my email inbox. That scares me a great deal.

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Downtown Orlando, Orange Blossom Trail after 10pm. Runner up to New Orleans in late 2006. Although in N.O. the people were friendly, the streets were festive, and everyone clearly said which direction not to go.

I’ve been to South America, Mexico City, (el centro, Reforma, Zona Rosa area,) and neither of those places seemed as potentially violent as places here…

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Darren – afraid not…. all true

Ok – maybe my email inbox isn’t that scary. I will accept that!

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as a flight attendant, i see a little bit of many cities. Id have to say that mexico city (districto federal) gives me more heebie-jeebies than any other. I love the rest of mexico and feel very safe throughout it, but DF wins the “most dangerous” city in my book

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Having lived in South Africa and Colombia, technically the most “dangerous” country I’ve been to was one of the two. I had nothing but an amazing time in either of the two countries.

Despite some situations in Colombia where Colombian friends + aquaintances of mine fell into trouble, I have experienced no personal safety threat.

While some countries do have high murder rates, it doesn’t mean you are at risk for falling victim to the crime rate

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The drugs commerce leaders has dominated the streets in Rio.
The crime is a topic that worries the gobernment of Rio, Also in Sao Paulo the crime is a habit.

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Outside of war, Latin America and South Africa. The US isn’t remotely in the same league as those two.

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I live in port au prince Haiti and I love it. I feel safer here than many places I have been to in the United States. In Boston, Miami, Dc, and New York.

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I have to say with some comments here I can agree about others I have to laugh. I have been to South Africa last year and I loved. I recommend everybody to go there. Will go back anytime. However people here stating it is a safe country just you believe that.Because its defenately not. As the first writer above mentioned that some African Countries should be safer than New York which is one of the safetiest US Cities now gives me a big laugh. Yeah maybe someone. I have to encounter I lived in NY and never felt threaten. Somalia is also mentioned at another website as one of the most dangerous zones worldwide with the city Mogadishu its just recommended to explore the city with a guide in armored vehicle. Some other people mentioning feel safer in Africa is walking in downtown L.A. at night and SA is not much worse as some US Cities. Nowhere in L.A. even not in the bad areas or Detroit,Washington you are forced to go with an armored vehicle. So NY should be worse yes in a SCi Fi Film. It always depends which countries in Africa you are referring. Lived for 6 month in Johannesburg altough nothing happened to me and people super friendly but realized how bad the situation is. I have several friends from there which either immigrated because they got robbed all the time,know some family has been robbed 7 or 8x ,aunts ,friends,uncles all been carjacked,friendds got robbed,neighbours got burglared and raped while the burglary, friends parents got killed through carjacking and the list goes on. Talk to some of that people once which left the country as they always had problems with it and not one time. US similiar SA regarding crime yes in a dream again but not in reality. I don´t risk to mention this anymore since I have been to SA for month and have the seen the situations in the townships to compare this with the US. That the situation is similiar is far away of any truth. Yeah Detroit,Washington maybe not alot better as South Africas average but dude you forget that South Africa has cities which are much worse as the national average too and if you take Johannesburg,Hillbrow a city part of Joburg,Soweto yes they are a lot worse than Washington. Sure there maybe some African Countries which are safer but you always have to refer which one. I enjoy to go back to Sout Africa again and I had a good time there too as I visited the beautiful nationalparks without ANY problem but the reality didn´t get lose of mine and I saw what is going on. Someone said it is frustrating that SA always have a reputation of bad crime as it wouldn´t be true i can say i also get frustrated and pissed off repute America as that bad because like we see its done there too. And its true that it has a bad crime level too. I don´t denie and there where planty of areas in the US I wouldn´t walk at night and can´t consider as safe but by far not as that bad as the violence in SA. Can´tt alk about Haiti have never been there but agree with the Flight Attendant that Mexico City is also one of the most dangerous cities I have been like Tijuana. Iget tired and pissed off it too when I hear than which countries are more dangerous as third world countries and immedeately it comes America. People always put America as the bad country in the world “claiming” its so bad as it couldn´t be worse is the worst. I can tell I have been to many European Countries too and have to say England ,Scotish and France Cities are not as that good and safe either like somebody above mentioned London. Have been to Australia hated the so called paradise was nothing for me. All the so called beautiful tourist paradises except South Africa I didn´tlike. And Australia isn´t so perfect regarding serious crime either. I say also I felt safer in NY as in my hometown Vienna. Tough i wouldn´t say its generally safer because its probably true that the violence is higher. Therefore like the statement above the expirience I made just because in some countries violence and murder rate is higher as ina ny otherone doesn´tmean that life is more dangerous. But its also not to say its safer. Yeah Diane your perception could change i don´t say should but could. Can´t understand why some people say one of themost dangerous destiantiosn of them has been the US. There are plenty of people which immigrated from SA to US and feel not the fear anymore they had in SA especial carjacking and rape. Detroit,Orlando not to walk out at night guess what warning in Joburg was not other at the hotel but for the inner citiy not at night but at daytime to do not walk alone especial at the Carlton Center. Like said for first world countries England do not need to talk about the US regarding crime either many places or pretty dangerous too and I didn´t like it at all. Its absolutely true that US is not in the same league as South Africa and Latin America. People wake up. Darren and Matt i have the feeling through the commentaries you are considering to avoid USA as it is so dangerous and get no really caution about the more dangerous places. Thats,….. but as you said Darrenif you keep your head about yourself than you can be safe even in the dangerous cities so if you take South Africa or some others you can take America too. My tip is go to SA you see I recommended it to everybody as nowhere else I have been you get such a good oppurtunity to see nature and wildlife in such a unique manner like there. But there are few things additional regarding safety rules coming compared to other countries. For myself yes i also have to say the most dangerous country i visited was South Africa. That is not an OPINION its FACT.

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I don’t think anywhere in the USA counts…

I have traveled all over Western Europe and the USA… So all pretty safe places. But there are unsafe spots in pretty much all big cities.. I was almost mugged in a ghetto district of Paris, had a shady experience in Madrid and Amsterdam’s red light district is full of scummy scarry drug pushers.. Also have run into some un-savory characters in other random French and Italian cities…

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A real word. Amsterdam is known for the drug problems but some drugs are legally there. As I forgot to mention in Durban we lived in sleeping room sepearated to all the other parts of the house when we where sleeping or watch TV our room. So far to this really locked like an animal in the cage. As crime in SA happens from individuals know each other like said gangs but thats the same in the US violence in most big cities is also gang related. Its not true that the dangerous places in South Africa are just the townships the whole country has pretty much a n extraordinary high violent crime level ask some people living there or moved from there. But its true that every city in the world has unsafe spots.

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Don’t judge the third world countries, they aren’t that dangerous. I’ve been to some of them, in fact they’re quite safe. Some places in Europe however, has particular spots

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well im South African and i will have to agree with thomas, ive been to the US(NYC,ATL,miami,Orlando etc) and i felt free, my american friends would warn my South african buddy and myself about the dangers in the US but to us that was petty crime.Dont get me wrong Cape Town is a beautiful place i love it but if u think its not safe u gotta open your eyes, alot of the crime is gang related but most of it is innocent people thats victims. When i was in the US i watched the news and a football player who had dog fighting in his backyard dominated the headlines lol in South Africa that would be a big joke. My advice 2 tourists is dont take chances and go around Cape Town with people u know.
But i love Cape Town i will never leave it and 1 last thing dont go 2 the cape flats without a guide either its not the projects keep dat in mind

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John who charges Third World Countries? Nobody does. Some people here including me just mentioned some of the third world countries which are really bad in the issues of crime and violence. I agree with it that some or not so bad and maybe you have been at some of them being safer as some first world countries. India as example is known that the folk is very peaceful maybe its regarding there believe and all.Like some African Countries being quiete safe too. But South Africa and some South American Countries are known having a really bad crime and violence rate. Like already mentioned if you say Third Wolrd Countries not as that bad you have the definie the countriy you are referring because there are plenty of third world countries same if you say big cities in US or UK are or aren´t as that bad depends where you go.You hear it now of Chad a born and bread South African and he is actually the second South African today telling me that. The other I met today left as many people from there in case of violence . Fact is that South Africa has one of the extemest levels of violent crimes worldwide. you can´t ignore this fact. You hear what Chad says that the cities they have been the crime is petty compared to there.And some of them Orlando,Miami mentioned already are one of the most dangerous in the US and Cape Town with right considered as the safest in SA. Chad is a patriotic South African which loves the country but stays objective so I think we believe that. Its also a difference if you visit a country wether how often or if you live there. Just to show I can´t await to go back to Durban and to the Wildlife Park in KwaZulu Natal as it was totally beautiful. And Cape Town is probably a visit worth. Actually here it are not the Third World Countries which are judged its the US. For the defense of the US I again have to say i lived in the US and didn´t find it as that bad. Its actually always the US which is charged and I don´t like that. However John you made a good statement when you say that some places in Europe aren´t as that safe like they always claim to be. I formyself felt safer in the US as in my home country and many other European Countries. Still the crime and violence in the US is probably higher as here. But it depends always how it is related like already said.And I would rater live in Durban or Cape Town as example in London although I think i wouldn´t feel safer (when i said in Durban as example we lived seperated from the BR to the other parts of the house it wasn´t making look the country bad it was really that we lived so) but I like the people,weather,landscape and the Wildlife with the oppurtunity to see animals more as in England,France etc. Since I was a little child it was a dream of mine to go to Africa as I love animals I will return anytime and recommedn anybody to make this expirience one time. I enjoy already to go back to South Africa. But here thats not charging its fact what is said about some countries.FAct is that the violence in South Africa is a lot higher as in the US and Western European Countries. You hear it from a South African here too and I witnessed the problems with my own eyes. So John nobody is juding here Third Wold Countries. But that doesn´t mean that you have to feel unsafer as tourist in SA as it depends how the crime is related still you have to care about some things more as at some other destinations.
And its not done with it that crime is in townships its still sad that so mayn women get raped in SA,murder and so that there should be a solution for the folk and its poorness. Same is with some Eastern European Countries some are safe some not. When I learned know people which visited the Ukraine they told me its a safe place. Of residents from there I made friend with in Los Angeles last year they told me something saying crime in the US is bad but a childplay to what they are used in there country similiar like Chad did.
By the way Chad you said “Cape Town is beautiful but if u think its not safe open your eyes” that doesn´t make sense as you said its beautiful did you mean not dangerous instead of not safe when saying but?

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wel thomas what i meant is that its a beautiful country the scenery etc i love my culture but theres definitely so many problems, but iv’e lived here my whole life so i’ve become accustomed to it. I only realise how bad South Africa was when i started travelling. C ape Towns 3 suburbs and Townships are actually the worst in SA and the murder capita is worse than Joburg. Also Thomas what i still dont understand about the americans is howcum so many ppl dont have jobs when ther are plenty of jobs, r they just lazy or what? and why do so many americans brag about growing up in the ghetto its like a cool thing, its actually stupid. Next time i visit america i must definitely visit California. Cape Town u must definitely visit dont let the crime put u off, if you wise enough nothing should happen but theres plenty 2 c, our beaches are better than Durbans

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Hi Chad, interesting question about the Americans. You are right brag growing up in the ghettos is a stupid thing. But again I don´t think the majority does. Yeah probably many people are lazy,have not as many skills,simple don´t care or it is also about the current situation which is bad. Like in every country. Its again the same like everywhere that I can tell you in Austria are also many job oppurtunites and I also don´t have a job currently(hope something will succeed next week when I have my applications again). But I am surprised now that the most dangerous areas in SA are in Cape Town as Cape Town is considered as the safest city in South Africa. It is always told that Hillborw in Joburg is the most dangerous part in SA as it has the highest registered violent crime level in the country.the most dangerous job i think is farmer with over 300 murder per hundred thousand a year. Correct me if I am wrong. You have been in Miami,Atlanta this cities are considered one of the worst in USA.Cape Town generally is safe for SA circumstances and you say the crime in these cities is petty compared to Cape Towns? I have seen a documentary about SA it was about Cape Town and about muggeries at Money Transporter there. It showed how the criminals get always more and more modern weapons and at the end they created a vehicle which is so good equiped that three muggeries on it didn´t succeed. But the Police says now the criminals will also try to advance with equipment. I think higher rates of crime and connect with the use of violence of it is always depend of the difference between poor and rich. The bigger the difference between poor and rich so higher i think the crime is in every country. Unfortunately like you indicated already in your beautiful country the difference is one of the biggest in the world. But there comes my main question how are jobless people, from townships in SA, one of the most poor parts int he world able to obtain such dangerous things like very modern weapons which are known to be very expensive as they are soo poor?
Will defenately visit Cape Town at my next visit to SA. From what I heard its really beautiful and nice Iw anted to do it already last time but. Still I found Durban also beautiful. Crime doesn´t scare me off as some other people make the statements don´t let crime put you off as most people are scared off it I like to go to dangerous places like i did it in the ghettos in US to make myself a picture off it, compare it to other countries, tell the difference and look what are the problems and how they could be solved.
Yeah you should go to California. I have been there the last times and will be back there in a couple of month. You will like it I think it could be very similiar to Cape Town. People are also nice as they are in South Africa.

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Hi thomas, Well the reason i would like 2 visit cali is because i picture it to be alot like Cae Town aswell. Nope Hillbrow is nothing compared to Nyanga and Khayelitscha. The reason Cape Town is acknowledged as the safest is because wen u for instance in a rich suburb you able to walk around at night compared to joburg where you wouldnt b able 2. So as a whole joburg is dangerous but when u talk about the cape flats the townships there are nothing compared to Cape Town, Cape flats is deeper than what u c. Theres sop many things to it thats so bad u wont b able 2 believe it. Go to google and type in ross kemp on gnags in Soth Africa and u can c what im speaking bout. I got another documentary mayb i can send it to u. Well if only americans never advertised gangsterism which they do in an indirect way then South Africa wouldnt b that bad hey because rappers r the kids role models and what the rappers say rnt true half the time but the kids rnt educated so they believe everything they say because they so gullable. To me atlanta was extremely safe felt like Heaven, i really liked that city, the people were friendly. I wanted to go to libert city but my friends wouldnt take me. where in the US are u from?

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Hi Chad,
Actually I am from Austria but altogether I lived for one and a half years in the US.Half a year of it in California. You are right Cape Town is probably similiar to California. Thats why i again want to visit Cape Town after I have seen pictures of it. I also don´t like this being cool of many young black and latinos in America. It sucks and i think its stupid. But believe me not all of them in America are so I have a lot of black friends in America,they are well educated,good friends and a normal sense.And to many other i talked to know how it goes on in life so. Will be back in Cali in April. you should defenately go there. Chad I am a little bit surprised because after being interested i got police statistics from South Africa. This says like arguments of investigators too that Hillbrow is the most dangerous part in SA. And after viewing the violence of these parts Nyanga and Khayelitscha didn´t even have a fifth of the violent crime level in these statistics of registered cases as Hillbrow. Really. Actually they violence per capita of both of them is even better as the generally violence of Miami or Atlanta. Can somebody explain? Would like to know how this was calculated. I would like to go to these flats one time. I am not talking about crime in SA because I want to pose what I have seen like that was so dame fucking dangerous,hoodfelling with no because I would like to see how it could be improved. What could be done, what are the problems and how they can be solve that it become better. And I think especial the poor areas like SA generally needs help.
Although you said i should take a guard thats why i would like to go to such flats at my next visit.

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Hi Thomas

Well the statistics i got those two were top and Hillbrow was 4th there was another place from JHB which was 3rd. The reason Atlanta and Miami got higher violence than Nyanga and khayelitscha is because those places arent cities it’s townships in South africa(like a neighbourhood). Then again i go in2 these Townships except Khayelitscha and Nyanga(coz ive been there and felt shit scared) and feel much safer than if i go in 2 hanover park or manenberg where the coloured people grew up. Im oroginally from Hanover park and nowadays i wnt walk around there. Anyway Nyanga is the rape capital of South africa. Over 300 reported rape cases in 7months

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Hi Chad,
you mean with that Nyanga and Khayelitscha are smaller as Atlanta and Miami as they are no cities being the reason that Miami and Atlanta having a much higher population is the reason why they have higher violence? But you mean generally its much safer as the two cape flats and the risk that some violence happens to you there is much higher as when you are in Miami right? Over 300 reported rape cases thats more than bad. I understand why it is called the rape capital of South Africa. You mean Hanover Park is also dangerous now or not? It seems it is dangerous now too but nothing compared to these two townships. that sounds BAD.
I think you would like California too as it is really similiar to Cape Town i think and from my expirience people are similiar friendly. Like in your country the y have nice smile when they greet you and ask hi how are you. People in both countries yours and America are very friendly. Not like the grumpy Europeans.
By the way are you a guy or a lady?

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hi

Im a guy. yes hanover park is bad very bad last year because of a huge gang war, theres never gang wars in joburg, Cape town is gang infested. hahahah ya Capetonians r friendly

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Hi Chad,
interesting but i am surprised no gang wars in Johannesburg. Common man I have seen reports that there are gangs in Johannesburg. Don´t forget Soweto there are gangs. Its known that Crips build there so…….

But I want to know already since a long time is Soweto a part of Johannesburg or is it an own city?Because some people say in the meantime it is considered as own city. Have you ever been there? Is Soweto one of the parts being very dangerous too? If yes probably nothing against the cape flats in Cape Town you mentioned.

You know what send me an e-mail to thms_schneider@yahoo.com i would like to talk more with you and privately.

There are somethings i want to talk with you as you are also interested in some of the things mentioned here and especial about your scheduled trip to California.
so please send me an e-mail that we can talk offline.

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I’ve been to places like Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Cambodia – at times considered unstable and dangerous by a few – and I have been as fine as visiting UK, USA, Canada, Italy etc.

I’d like to add that I feel absolutely safe to travel to any destination in India – whether to the most crowded city, or an uninhabited mountain village.

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I agree Oakland has tougher neighborhoods then any place in the world. It’s probably because there has been so much drugs and turf gangs in the community. Even the government cant stop Oakland’s crime.

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I highly agree that US has a lot of very tough neighbourhoods. I have seen a lot of them but again not the WORST in the world. I have also lived close to Watts(South Central L.A.) was shocked the first time when i lived there but can tell doesnt come close to the worst areas in South Africa. You hear it already from a user from SA above that for them the crime in the US was pitty crime for them. Oakland i heard it sooften and it will be true and it is for sure one of the toughest neighbourhoods in the USA but nor worldwide at least not the worst worldwide. From what i have seen from the reports and all Oaklands Crime is worse than anywhere else in the US but doesnt match areas like mentioned Nyanga,Kyaletischa South Africa and Hillbrow Johannesburg. that are rape capitals. I learned a lot of people know from South Africa which immigrated to America that they are much less involved with crime and they are right its a fact that the crime there is a lot worse than in the USA. Dont say that crime in the US,UK.. isnt very bad but there much worse places. Hillbrow,Kyaletischa and Nyanga are consider as one of the most dangerous places in africa and worldwide more dangerous as the Iraq. And i learned a lot of people know from SA which say they would rather live in Iraq as there. I still would prefer SA as it is beautiful but….also talk one time to some people from Venezuela especial 2 women i met which have been in nearly country in the world and travelled through the whole US too and they will tell u what the situation in the toughest places in the US is compared to Caracass. They say even South Africa,Brazil,Colombia doesnt come close to Venezuela. NYBRnX@13 when u say even the government cant stop the crime in oakland thats nothing new that is known in many places in the US but believe have expirienced it in European Countries too and there it is meaned no stop frimt he government with police force yeah in cities like Mogadishu,Lagos,some cities in Congo and Caracass they cant even stop the crime with the involment of military.

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I`ve lived in Mexico City for almost four years and I`ve never had a bad experience, I think there are more dangerous places in the US than in any other country, like St Louis Missouri, which is a very dangerous place, and don`t forget that Mexico City is a third world capital with a population of more than 23 million.
I go to the US very often and I`ve been to L.A and NYC many times and belive me NYC isn`t only Manhattan and there are a lot of tough places.

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Well again US is not the most dangerous country in the world and there are not the most dangerous places worldwide. Yes it has tough places but that have even other first world countries. US isnt even longer the most dangerous country in the first world regarding crime. Also true that Mexico isnt by far one of the most dangerous places worldwide. Didnt have problem there either. I didnt have a problem in both of these countries. L.A. and NY i walked always at every time at night and didnt feel threaten. Of course and i know there isnt only Manhattan in New York but there arent only the fine and nice places in London,Berlin,Munich. At the otherside i learned know people telling me they did things in NY they would have never done in London. And i for myself again felt less safe in my home town Vienna as in NY and it is considered one of the safest cities worldwide. So you can see it is hard to say where it is general safer or not. Wether if its a 3rd World Country or not and again nobody charges 3rd World Countries and says because its a Third World Country. So i can also understand good when people feel safer in Mexico as in the US. But US isnt as bad either. And Mexico also is nothing compared to South Africa or Venezuela. Yeah St.Louis is very bad its known but now Detroit is even worse still St.Louis is nothing compared to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Caracass and so on. There are even worse cities outside of was as these ones. Have been to L.A, NY better said lived there and its known crime being very bad but both cities do not come close to Durban or Johannesburg where i have been. Nairobi also a very dangerous city according to persons have been living there. totally counterpart to Manila which is considered to be very safe. So its right its not to tell 3rd World Countries are bad. But South Africa,Venezuela,Brazil are defenately much worse as the US and also Mexico. There are even eastern euopean countries worse than mexico. Like i said before there places in this mentioned countries much worse as the worst places in US. Talk to some of my buddys i learned know from SA which left the country as the reason was the crime and they feel safer anywhere now included in the US. As St.Louis was mentioned some will tell u that the cape flats in cape town count more gangster as the whole state of St.Louis. As i said i feel safer in the US as in my country often sure doesnt mean that the crime rate isnt higher so its also nonesense the violence in the US is higher as in countries like South Africa, Venezuela, Somalia.
There are proofs and i have them that the violence in these countries is a lot worse as in the USA. As mentioned Cape Town, Johannesburg, Caracass being a lot worse as St.Louis which is very bad already still these cities are much less dangerous as Mogadishu.
In Mogaishu Somalia and some cities at the Eastern Congo you have to be escorted with armored vehicles and a guide at your side.
Thats not war situation its about the crime situation. Going there with an armored vehicle but without guide is a risk already going with a guide but having no armored vehicle is also a risk. Tough that US has extreme tough neighbourhoods but nowhere in NY, St.Louis, Detroit,Los Angeles or anywhere else in the US you have to be escorted with an armored vehicle and an armed guide at your side. Neither in Harlem,Compton,Watts … and i have been to these areas in America. Even not in Johannesburg or Cape Town this is necessary.
With most dangerous places at earth or travel destinations i do not know why people come to countries like USA, UK. Nowhere there u have to be escorted.

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gud debates going on here. The best way to come to a conclusion is to travel to these countries see what the ghettos are like read the papers study the culture(since culture has alot to do with alot of things). Certainly i dont think anywhere in the US is really that bad especially if you come from a place like south africa. its actually very difficult to explain, i might just say some stuff and it will put people off then they wouldnt wana visit my beautiful country. But like i said Thomas some footballer made dog fighting in backyard and it dominated headlines for like a month, something like this would be in a small article in the paper. like yesterday i read bout a 14yr old boy wo raped a 12yr old girl and abducted her. probably gna b 3days in the paper then forgotten.

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Malia is a really nice place, but after dark i was walking along a beach with a friend and is girlfriend and a group of greek men attacked us trying to get to her and my friend had his nose broken but we luckily managed to get away, so i would have to say Malia

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Everyone I’ve ever met from South Africa was nice.

But, I think any city that has a serious tourism industry will intentionally make its tourism areas fairly safe and friendly for tourists, even if it may just be a facade.

This is sad–but true–here in New Orleans.
Yeah, people get mugged here in the French Quarter, but most murders and violent crimes occur outside of the neighborhood. As in any city, always go in large (preferably) guided groups when going to any landmarks or historic sites that may be dangerous. Exercise common sense, and never walk alone.

I’ve been around the block enough to know that the easiest way to NOT get shot or stabbed is to NOT piss anyone off. If you’re a tourist, this can actually be difficult to do in some cities.

It’s okay to visit dangerous cities. Nut-wads (like me) live in dangerous cities. Then again, if you really love a place, as a visitor or a local, you shouldn’t ever let crime scare you away, but don’t be a dumbass either.

Laissez le bons temps roulez!

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I am well travelled and can say with great conviction that South Africa IS the most dangerous place to visit in the world in my experience.
I lived in Durban for 4 years first with the affluent whites, then the less affluent coloured’s and indians, then finally in the black townships.
A tall white Scotman in South Africa is a walking target however he dresses or however careful.

The culture and mindset there is what makes it so different from anywhere else in the world, life whether human or animal has very little value.
I suggest that you look at the recent (reported) South African crime statistics which reflects the country’s problems.
I would walk in Buenos Aires any time night or day but never in Johannesburg in the city during the day.

Armed guards in every small shop is not a good reflection of a safe country.
The streets smell of urine from carefree locals relieving themselves in public, there is no litter or seats in bus stops because anything of any value is stripped and sold as scrap.

South Africa is a beautiful country providing you have an armed escort and remain within the small confines that are designated for tourists, but even that is no guarantee.

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Baghdad, Iraq……hands down.

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Working in the South Bronx was a bit hairy sometimes. Abroad, I’ve never been to places people consider really, actually dangerous; but of the places I’ve visited, I’d have to say I felt most unsafe in Napoli. There seems to be no one in charge.

Crowded bad places are fine with me. It’s when there is no one on the streets – like if you hollered, no one would come – that I feel the most unsafe.

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Hi Darren

I’ve been to Croatia at the end of the war, went to Sarajevo in Bosnia with my kids and travelled all over Eastern-Europe and I didn’t feel unsafe there. The problem is with crime rates that they create incorrect pictures of destinations. It’s usually streets and neighbourhoods that are bad places (Washington DC as an example). My perception is that Baghdad and Johannesburg are dangerous places, but I’ve never been there. And I would go to South-Africa without hesitation but not Iraq. Where I’ve felt most unsafe is in Madrid, Spain (bad hotel in a bad street) and Tijuana, Mexico. China and Croatia felt exceptionally safe when travelling there.

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south central LA is scary, but rio takes the cake

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Johannesburg is a little safer than Cape Town, I have travelled extensively between both .. I have not had an incident in Johannesburg where as I almost had a mugging in Cape Town. I met someone who travelled to Cape Town and this lady told me that Cape Town has a very glamourous appeal, flashy sexy and exciting its just a cover up for whats really the heart of Cape Town. Give South Africa a visit it really is a great place and I am relocating to Jozi soon aswell and I am excited but will be taking the necessary precautions. Also some advice when you do visit SA don’t look like you from a chanel catalogue and please dont do the tourist I am going on a safari tour look .. easy targets, blend in with the society and you will be at least abit safer and also trust your intuition. Oh and if you in Johanneburg stay out of Hillbrow!!!

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Hi everyone!
It’s been an interesting reading. I’m a Frenchman living in Seoul and never went to very dangerous places, so my point is absolutely not based on experience and solely on perception (that can indeed be misleading). I first would like to point out that citizens of the “western” countries tend to exagerate the state of crime of their own country. For instance, I often hear some people in France complaining about how dangerous the country can be sometimes. Not that they don’t have the right to complain nor that nothing should be done about criminality, but they shouldn’t forget that France is a pretty safe country. Same Goes for the USA. There are some pretty rough neighborhoods but all in all, even the dodgiest areas of LA, Detroit or NO are miles away from being even close to the world most dangerous places. So I believe that the perception we have of what is dangerous , differs depending on the observation point (tourist, citizen…). Many reasons for that I guess but I won’t talk about it.
Secondly, I think that experience can also be measleading sometimes. Being assaulted in Paris doesn’t make it a dangerous city and having no bad experience in Caracas doesn’t mean it’s crime-free.
Finally, we have to understand as others here pointed out, that however high the crime rate can be in whatever city, it can not be compared to countries at war. I would be really carefull if I lived in SA but I’d still rather be lost at night in a township overthere than anywhere in Somalia, Irak, Afghanistan…
So I don’t know which is the most dangerous country but I’d say any country at war. As for criminality in SA and the US, SA had around 18000 murders in 2007 for a population of roughly 50 M whereas the US had around 17000 for 300M…might be misleading because it doesn’t tell us anything about the sociology of criminality (?) but I guess we have more chance to get killed in SA than in the US.

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After living in South Africa for a number of years………its easy to see how figures and statistics can get distorted and influence perceptions. Yes, South Africa does have a high violent crime rate, but the bulk of this violence occurs out of sight from the average tourist. While it is still a problem that requires attention, it should not act as a deterrence for likely tourists……….as everyone else said, be smart, don’t go to places where you shouldn’t ,don’t flash your jewelry and money and make sure all your personal belongings are kept safe and secure.

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I travelled to Kashmir last summer, despite Lonely Planet’s warning that it was assisted suicide, and was very glad I had taken the opportunity to go.

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I live in New York City and I consider NYC is a very safe city if you stay in Manhattan below 90s street at night. I walk in the city all the time at late night, never had major problem, there are policemen all over the place. But that being said, NYC is not compare to big cities in Asian and Europe. I have lived in Shanghai, Hong Kong and being to Tokyo and most big cities in Europe, it is SAFE. So, USA is safe depending on where you go, if you go to Memphis, yeah…you may want to stick in your hotel.

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the most dangerous city in the world is called recife(brazil). it makes rio look like switzerland.

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I have also heard that Recife has higher crime rates than Rio de Janeiro, despite its reputation. I have lived in Rio, however, and my family’s apartment in the chic neighborhood of Leblon was broken into one evening by armed assailants who robbed us, held us hostage, and threatened to kill… so I know first hand that Rio is definitely a dangerous city! Also, I’m fascinated by the foreigners (mostly European tourists) who visit Rio and go on tours of the favelas (most commonly Rocinha) right after they visit the Christ statue. They take a jeep up to see a “real” favela and take pictures home to show their families as if seeing that kind of misery is entertainment, or the people who live there are animals in a cage.

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Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. I was only there for one night before I went up to the Highlands, where it’s slightly less lawless.

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I think it is funny to hear people call the US unsafe. It is no more “unsafe” than UK or Europe. Sure, there are some unsafe places in all big cities, but they are not usually places that tourists go.

I lived for years in NYC and found it very safe and yet people who have never been there have visions of life there like out of a movie.LOL! Like most places, one needs to spend extended time in a country or area to have a more accurate perception of what reality truly is and one is most likely to find more authentic experience in the countryside or small towns.

We were recently in NYC and had a great time. We took our young child out walking around at night ( even to areas like Time Square to see a show) & took mass transit everywhere, felt perfectly safe at all times.

Unlike most tourists we went ( and took our child) to Harlem , South Bronx, edgy areas in Queens and Lower East side , walked the streets, used subways etc there and often were the only white faces. We were meeting the thousands of disadvantaged school kids that travel the world with us virtually who live in these areas. We felt safe and were very touched by the people we met there.

Many Americans feel very unsafe about visiting Morocco or Turkey. We felt very safe taking our young child there. The only time I did not feel safe was driving via Grand Taxi’s around the dangerous roads in Morocco…as none have seat belts! If I did it again, I would rent my own car or take our RV to by pass that problem.

We will also take our child to South Africa ( and other parts of Africa) and South America. I do have some concerns about South Africa because so many South Africans who absolutely love their country have left because of how dangerous it is. That gives me some pause as I don’t know any other country that has the same kind of drain except Iraq.

You do not find Americans leaving their country due to fear for their safety and knowing so many others who have had violent crimes perpetuated against them. Many Americans sleep with their doors unlocked at night. Perhaps one can look at stats to see how many leave a beloved country because of fear when evaluating a country. South Africa is such a beautiful country, but I wish they would do more about the safety issues.It does keep people away. Same for Brazil and Colombia and the Middle East.

I have been to Haiti and Brazil and much of the former Soviet Union, so I suppose those are the most dangerous places that I have been. Although, I did not feel like I was in danger in any of those places.

I am certainly more cautious about travel with a kid in tow, but I think if one does the research and proceeds with awareness, the world is a pretty safe place. We have traveled for going on 3 years now on 4 continents, 29 countries with no problems anywhere.

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I was backpacking through Indonesia during the ’98 economic meltdown, and left the day after Suharto stepped down as “president”. There were riots in the street, people were trashing and burning the cars and shops owned by ethnic Chinese, blaming them for their economic troubles. Governments across the world were warning their people to leave the country, but it was really hard to find passage as everything was booked. You couldn’t even get money because the currency was so unstable–they were unplugging ATM’s and money exchangers were closing up shop. I remember expressing concern about driving to Medan where we hoped to find a boat to Panang. I was told not to worry, being a blonde tourist. If I were ethnic Chinese, the man said, I’d be drug from the car which would then be torched. Lovely. My friend and I and two English gals did charter a bus to get us to Medan , and it wasn’t torched, but the driver did pull over in the middle of nowhere and demand more money from each of us before he continued. We argued, probably stupidly, but ended up paying, and made it fine.
My parents were completely freaked by the CNN reports, and it certainly was an unstable situation with some truely horrible things happening to innocent people, but overall, I think the media completely over-hyped the situation. They made it sound like every corner of the country was rioting, when really it was only the big cities. Most of the time, we were tucked away in small towns, only hearing about the travails second hand. Makes you wonder how many other “dangerous” places are not as dangerous as they’re made out to be.

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Well, I’ve been in a shoot-out /stampede in Kingston, Jamaica when a raggae band didn’t show up and the crowd went wacko. I was the only white person visible and it turned out to be an issue.
I’ve also had beer bottles thrown at my head from moving cars shouting, “Whitey” at me in Jamaica.
I’ve been molested in my sleep by Nigerians on a night train from Budapest.
I’ve been chased by a nut on drugs in Amsterdam demanding “some cents.” We thought he instead ought to look for some sense!
An insane homeless person tried to run me down with a luggage cart in a Paris train station. (lots of other people too- she was on a rampage)
I’ve been groped at by drunk businessmen in Japan while riding my bike home at night- not to mention my boss after a work dinner.
I’ve had hands up my crotch on all public transport in Italy, France and Greece.
The week after we left Bali, the restaurant we had eaten at was bombed.
I survived the Kobe earthquake in Japan.
I was chased by a war vet in Hanoi who thought as an American I owed him a considerable amount of money.
I met two Israelis that had just witnessed a point blank shooting of a native in the Philippines for suspected stealing on a bus. They were physically shaking and about to vomit.
And I used to work in the inner cities of Los Angeles where my life was threatened multiple times.

All of that was when I was single- and perhaps my figure a bit more flattering- haha. Since becoming a mother and traveling with my children I find people are quite protective of us and we have had no problems anywhere.

What I’ve found is that danger is everywhere, as is safety. It’s all relative and depends largely upon who you are, what you look like, and what your nationality is. Manhattan Beach, California is safe for me as a blond female, but ask any young black man what he thinks of it and it’s an entirely different story.

I just got back from a trip to Iran with my daughters and you would think I signed us up for voluntary public slaying by the response I got from others. Even in the airport on our way there- We flew LA to Detroit to Frankfurt to Tehran. Each leg of the flight involved checking in, passport control and security and each time I was grilled by each. “Why are you going there?” each asked. “Tourism.” I replied and they were stunned. Lots asked if I was military while they had my US passport in their hands. When I replied, “I sure hope not ’cause I sure would have a hard time finding the base on arrival.” they didn’t get it. Did I mention my daughters are 7 and 9? “Yes, morons, we’re on a military mission to Iran.” We had to wear a hejab in our visa picture, which also confused many a security and passport agent, who all expressed overt disapproval of our travel destination.
We found the country to be incredibly safe and had absolutely no issues at all. Yet, no one seemed to be worried about our stop-over in Detroit- a city listed here many more times than the country of Iran- except for the guy that was spying there! but…

Each time we were stopped by machine gun wearing police in Iran it was to ask us where we were from and to pinch the girls’ cheeks and make gaga sounds at them or to ask us, “What can I do for you?” oh, and to tell us how happy they are Obama is the new prez.

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El Salvador is one of the most dangerous, the murder rate there is higher than any country in the continent of America. It was also named the worst place to live for young people in the world. However it is a beautiful country.

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its true what dan says i chequed wikipedia and El Salvador is the country with the highest murder rate outside of war zone. well now it shows even more murder per capita as in iraq as they took off the death through combat attacks and just consider the normal murder in this list.however mistakenly some countries are just charged through their murder rates being the most dangerous tough its the worst crime which can admitted but you have to consider other categories of violent crimes and the level of them as well. unfort their are no recent statistics of robbery,rape,car jacking, assaults found for latin and south american countries like the homicide rate list at wiki.

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South africa is only dangerous in the wrong place. Unfortunately as tourists we do not know where this is so can accidently wander into trouble. Crimewise except in downtown Johanasburg or some parts of cape town it is no worse than in the uk (these small isolated areas are some of the worst in the world, however simple measures like wearing a money belt with your money in under your clothes can easily avioud this). I spent over three months in south africa, and had no trouble.

THere are other dangers. One that caught my attention is that due to immigrants from mozambique some of the lions in kruger have become man eaters. When thsi happens they dont turn back and will activly hunt humans.

If your sensible though you wont have any trouble, and we had a great time

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Have you ever toured Viet-Nam or Laos? My wife and I have and I am a Viet- nam vet from 67/68. Let me tell you mr. man the older people think the war is still going on. I could tell you some true stories about travel by yourself. Thats when you see the true colors of any place. You never see what is going on if you take an a/c van from the airport to your a/c hotel and then an a/c van to a piticular place and back. Do it on your own, it’s all more exciting that way. You only live once.

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Ive lived in London which i thought was dangerous growing up, i then moved around the world and have lived in places such as LA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Dubai, Mexico…ive visited places like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bolivia, Columbia…from what i gather…theres no such thing as the most dangerous places….it’s all subjective.

It’s dangerous for certain people who do not know their way around..if your not worldly…and you attract attention….you can become a target anywhere….your just as likely to get robbed in London as you are in Mexico city waking around with a $2000 camera swinging from your neck….If your streetwise and know how to hold yourself in any place…..you wont be singled out…..though simply being in a place your not from can bring trouble your way…..ive been tied up and robbed by a machete wielding gang in Malaysia…..who had clearly stalked our house, being Europeans, they presumed it was a good target…….Ive also stayed in small towns in Northern Mexico (Sinaloa), completely under the control of drugs cartels..with no police presence and have been fine……crime is universal…..and subjective…what would be a more useful statistic is crime rates involving crimes perpetrated against foreigners traveling to these destinations…..for all of you scared to leave the comfort of your neighborhoods

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Sure its all subjective. I agree that noone should dramatize immedeately about one place you are travelling or gonna live. one of the mentioned places by you sean L.A. is where i currently live and its exactly what i tell my dad and already convienced him in person that being robbed can happen everywhere not just in such a “dangerous” place like L.A. but also in such a “safe” place in my home country in vienna. Like you i made the same expirience living in place with less protection you can be fine. i lived ones in a ghetto in Los Angeles and was fine like visiting South Central L.A. and nothing happend. but felt more scared at places which are considered to be safer. As much as i agree with that it can happen everywhere and of my own mentioned expirience its still that in some cities or countries you have a much higher risk of being robbed,mugged or something like that as in certain others. tough i have seen more in Vienna as in L.A, the risk of being mugged is still higher in L.A. and their are cities in the world where the risk of being victim of a violent crime is a lot higher as in L.A. but still it always depends which area you enter. every country has its bad neighbourhoods.

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The worst place where I fell non safe was the street of the Bronx at night, New York is considered now like a safe city but if you are in the wrong area, at the wrong time with the wrong colours of the skin (white not spanish), you can have many problems and risk your life for nothing. LUCAS

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Yeah Lucas thats true like for every other big city in the world that includes every big American City like cities like London and Paris. Their are gangs and ghettos in The UK as well which you shouldnt enter either if you have the wrong colour of the skin. Thomas

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Angelina:

I’m guessing no one was concerned about your stop-over in Detroit because you didn’t go to Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is located in Romulus, Michigan – a suburb well outside of Detroit.

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It’s naive to say that South Africa isn’t dangerous. Murder rates from 2007 to 2008 show that the average is 50 murders committed PER DAY. I have friends from South Africa here in London that have been robbed at gunpoint.

I have been to South Africa, and it’s definitely worth visiting, but as many have stated, you do need to exercise extreme caution and common sense.
As my South African friends explain it, the dodgy areas aren’t like Hackney in London (as an example).
What I mean by this is, Hackney is a dodgy area, and you’ll most likely be ok, but the chances of getting in trouble are higher than in other areas.
But in South Africa, if you go to the equivalent of Hackney, you will not make it out-guaranteed. And that’s the thing that people need to understand when they go there-you don’t do that quick cut through, you don’t take that little risk of going to an area without knowing it. There are no margins for error.
For example, I was in Durban in the summer, and was going to walk into town. I asked the black member of staff at the hostel the best route.
I mention that he was black because it shows that it wasn’t just a white person doing some uninformed scare mongering.
He showed me a massive walk that skirted an area on the map, and therefore made it a far longer journey. When I asked him why I couldn’t walk through a certain area, in daylight, he just looked at me and said “you won’t make it.”

So to be clear, South Africa is NOT just like London or every other big city. Yes, of course there are bad parts in big cities. But as I’ve mentioned, the bad parts in these big cities don’t come close to the bad parts in South Africa. If you don’t believe me then fair enough, but I can assure you that if you make a mistake by thinking that it’s just like London or New York and going to areas that aren’t totally safe, then you will become a statistic of some kind.

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I am a South African, proudly so. And yes, there are crime hotspots, but is this not so everywhere in the world. People talk about Hanover Park – do they know that this is a legacy of the Apartheid Government, as a result of forced removals. Yes, Hanover Park is a hotspot, but there are also great people living in Hanover Park, by the way,some whities too. I work here, I should know. I would say, to be safe, move around in groups – and have a group leader who knows the townships, he would know not to take you visiting where things are bad. Dont go into townships on you own – people know when you are not from the area. Why dont these negative people talk about the beauty of white sanded beaches, our beautiful friendly people, our beautiful Table Mountain, Clifton, Camps Bay …..etc

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I lived in Brazil for 5 months, and never experience any problems, though I know it can be dangerous and have talked to many people who have been robbed there. The most dangerous cities I’ve visited were Vitoria, Rio De Janeiro, and Sao Paulo Brazil, and Las Vegas, Nevada. For those saying New York is the most dangerous city they’ve been to, it doesn’t compare to many cities. NY and LA’s crime rates are only average compared to cities like Detroit, Las Vegas, New Orleans, or Oklahoma City.

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