The Most Dangerous Countries in the World for Travelers

While these countries may have areas with stunning landscapes, beautiful climates, and breathtaking views, each country on this list is on the ‘Do Not Travel’ published by the government of the United States. This list warns U.S. travelers of countries to avoid traveling to that will put their safety at risk.

Travel Advisory System

The U.S. State Department publishes the Travel Advisory System, which assesses the possible risk of traveling to each country on one of four levels, with Level 4 – Do Not Travel being the strictest travel advisory.

Level 4-rated countries have the highest risk of life-threatening risks, adding that “in the event of an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance.”

Afghanistan

Band-e Amir lakes near Bamyan (Bamiyan) in Central Afghanistan with a view of the red Hindu Kush mountains near Band-e Amir lakes in Afghanistan.

Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe, and the risk of kidnapping or violence against U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is high. Given the serious risks, U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan to accompany eligible family members for relocation.

Belarus

Aerial view, cityscape of Minsk, Belarus. Summer season, sunset time. Nyamiha, Nemiga district.

Do Not Travel to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means.

Burkina Faso

The Sindou peaks in Burkina Faso.

Do not travel to Burkina Faso due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

Burma (Myanmar)

Pagoda landscape in the plain of Bagan, Myanmar (Burma).

Do not travel to Burma due to civil unrest and armed conflict. Reconsider travel to Burma due to limited and/or inadequate healthcare resources. Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions and areas with land mines and unexploded ordinances.

Central African Republic

Ubangi River, fishing in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic.

Do not travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) due to Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

China

Landscape of Guilin, Li River, and Karst mountains.

Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detention.

Haiti

Labadee Island, Haiti.

Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. U.S. citizens should depart Haiti now in light of the current security and health situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe.

Iran

Sand towers of Kaluts in the Dasht-e-Lut desert, Iran.

Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions.

Iraq

Kurdistan Zakho, northern Iraq.

Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.

Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza

Skyline of the Old City at the Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel.

Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists, and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.

Lebanon

Rouche Sunset in Beirut.

Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and armed conflict. Some areas, especially near the borders, have increased risk. U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and review their personal security plans. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid travel to southern Lebanon, the Syrian border, and refugee settlements in Lebanon.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon. Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

Libya

Capital of Libya, Tripoli seafront skyline view.

Crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom. Westerners and U.S. citizens have been targets of these crimes.

Mali

Bamako and the Niger River in Mali.

Violent crime, such as kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali. Violent crime is a particular concern during local holidays and seasonal events in Bamako, its suburbs, and Mali’s southern regions. Roadblocks and random police checkpoints are commonplace throughout the country, especially at night.

Mexico

Ruins of Tulum, Mexico, and a palm tree overlooking the Caribbean Sea in the Riviera Maya.

Do not travel to these various parts of Mexico due to crime and kidnapping: Colima state, Guerrero state, Michoacan state, Sinaloa state, Tamaulipas state, Zacatecas state.

Niger

Panoramic view of Niamey City, capital city of Niger.

Do not travel to Niger due to terrorism, civil unrest, violent crime, government instability. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Niger due to a temporary reduction in embassy staff.

Russia

Russia, Kamchatka. Kronotsky Reserve with a view of the Ilyinsky volcano.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions.

Somalia

Acacia trees in Somalia.

Violent crime, such as kidnapping and murder, is common throughout Somalia, including Puntland and the Somaliland region. Illegal roadblocks are widespread. Some schools and other facilities acting as “cultural rehabilitation” centers are operating throughout Somalia with inadequate or nonexistent licensing and oversight.  Reports of physical abuse and people being held against their will in these facilities are common.

South Sudan

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and the Nile River.

Violent crimes, such as carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings, are common throughout South Sudan, including Juba. Foreign nationals have been the victims of sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes.

Sudan

Nile River near Sai island at Kerma, Sudan.

Do not travel to Sudan due to civil unrest. Reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Crime, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking, can occur. This type of crime is more frequent outside of Khartoum.

Syria

Palmyra, Syria, the Middle East.

Do not travel to Syria due to terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and risk of unjust detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in February 2012. The Czech Republic serves as the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government is unable to provide any emergency services to U.S. citizens in Syria.

Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine.

Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict. Those U.S. citizens in Ukraine should depart if it is safe to do so using commercial or other privately available ground transportation options.

Venezuela

Mount Roraima, Venezuela, South America.

Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.  Reconsider travel due to wrongful detentions, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen

Socotra Island, Yemen.

Do not travel to Yemen due to terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict, and landmines.

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Travel advisories issued by Travel.State.Gov.