12 Least Safe Cities in the World To Avoid 2024

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Generally speaking, the world is a safe place to travel. Most cities around the globe welcome travelers with open arms and encourage foreign nationals to explore, spend money, and return in the future. However, as impressive as some places are, other cities around the world are dangerous, unsafe, and, quite frankly, scary.

Not all dangers are the same, either. A city’s safety can be impacted by everything from violent crime and natural disasters to wars and political unrest. Therefore, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or like the occasional vacation abroad, you must know your surroundings. To learn more, here are 12 of the least safe cities in the world.

Los Cabos, Mexico

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According to World Population Review, Los Cabos, Mexico, has the highest per capita murder rate and crime rate in the world, with 111.3 homicides per 100,000 residents. That means that out of every 100,000 residents in the city, roughly 111 people are the victims of homicide, demonstrating just how dangerous Los Cabos is.

Despite the high crime rates, Los Cabos is still a thriving tourist destination, with millions of tourists visiting from around the world every year. The city is widely regarded as a luxury travel destination. Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are considered safe tourist zones.

Caracas, Venezuela

If you were to look at the official government website regarding travel to Venezuela, you’d quickly be told to stay away. Venezuela, as a whole, is considered unsafe due to high crime rates, kidnapping, corruption, and civil unrest. However, the most dangerous city in Venezuela is the capital, Caracas.

Unfortunately, carjackings, burglary, muggings, murder, and armed robbery aren’t uncommon in Caracas. The city is believed to be the deadliest in the country. Therefore, it’s wise for travelers to avoid visiting the city, whether it be for business or pleasure. Making matters worse, wrongful detention, terrorism, and a poor health infrastructure also affect the city’s safety.

Tijuana, Mexico

Least safe cities in the world Tijuana — Matt Gush / Adobe Stock

Tijuana is notoriously unsafe due to gang activities, drug cartels, and violent crime. Located on the border between Mexico and the United States, the city is home to more than two million people, with thousands more visiting yearly. It also attracts approximately 80,000 immigrants every year.

This considerable growth, in addition to gang violence between rival drug cartels, is putting Tijuana under immense pressure. World Population Review reports that 100.8 people per 100,000 residents fall victim to homicide. The leading cause of these deaths is drug and gang violence.

Pripyat, Ukraine

The chances are you’ve already heard of or recognize the city of Pripyat in Ukraine. If not, let us explain. In 1986, reactor NO.4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat exploded, releasing vast amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. The city was evacuated one day later, and the residents never returned.

Pripyat makes this list because the radiation levels in and around the city make it one of the most radioactive places on earth. Too much exposure to the area can potentially lead to poor health, an increased chance of cancer, and genetic changes. It’s believed it will take at least 20,000 years before anyone can return to live in the city.

Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan, regularly ranks among the most polluted cities in the world. Due to a rapidly increasing population, vehicle and industrial emissions, dust, general waste, and crop residue burning, the city’s air is often hazardous to human health. Human Rights Watch reports that these conditions can cut the life expectancy of residents by as much as seven years.

At times, the situation has been so dire that schools, parks, and markets have been closed. Artificial rain has been used to lower pollution levels in a battle to fight pollution. Bearing this in mind, it probably isn’t somewhere you want to spend too much time.

Natal, Brazil

The capital of Rio Grande do Norte state, Natal, is a coastal city in northeast Brazil. It is well known for its vast coastline, tall dunes, a 16th-century fortress, and the Potengi River. However, despite its apparent beauty, Natal is also one of the unsafest cities in the world.

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Crime rates regarding physical and sexual crimes, carjacking, theft, and murder are all high in Natal. Petty crimes like pickpocketing are also common against tourists, particularly at night. Most of the crimes in Natal relate to gang violence, fights between prisoners, and poverty. Despite these crimes, Natal is still a popular tourist destination.

Manila, Philippines

The official capital of the Philippines, Manila, is a fascinating city known for its marvelous architecture, rich history, delicious cuisine, and tourist hotspots. However, that doesn’t stop it from being an unsafe place. In Manila’s case, it’s a combination of different things, so travelers should be aware of the dangers before they visit.

The city has moderately high crime rates, poor personal security, high levels of street crime, and the threat of natural disasters to go with it. Manila is in an area at risk of typhoons. Approximately 20 severe storms hit the city yearly, causing floods, wind damage, and power outages.

In 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6,000 people in the Philippines and displaced a further 4.1 million.

Yangon, Myanmar

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation bordering Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand, and Laos. For many years, this vibrant nation has attracted tourists in the thousands, with people traveling from around the world to catch a glimpse of the country’s stunning temples and beaches. However, recent political issues have made Myanmar unsafe, and the capital, Yangon, has suffered.

In 2021, a coup took place in Myanmar. Since then, the Myanmar military has carried out a brutal nationwide crackdown on millions of people who oppose its rule. The forces have reportedly carried out arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, torture, and mass murders that are believed to amount to crimes against humanity. For obvious reasons, travel to Yangon isn’t recommended because attacks and violence can still happen at any time.

Oklahoma City, United States

Oklahoma City is home to almost 700,000 people despite its perilous location near the center of ‘Tornado Alley.’ The term ‘Tornado Alley’ was first used in 1952. It describes a loosely defined area where tornadoes are most frequent in the United States. As a result, Oklahoma City is at increased risk of being hit by tornadoes.

The peak season for tornadoes in Oklahoma City is May, with an average of 24 tornadoes yearly. The roads out of the city are gridlocked during a storm, so there aren’t many designated shelters. However, Oklahoma City residents have been known to build private shelters to protect themselves against the storms.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Another city that’s unsafe due to natural disasters is Jakarta, Indonesia. Due to climate change and a massive subsidence problem, almost half of Jakarta is underwater, making most of the city’s northern half susceptible to flooding. Unfortunately, the city also has a sewerage system that can’t cope with large volumes of water, leading to an increased risk of severe flooding.

Jakarta residents are becoming accustomed to annual floods that cause significant damage to commercial and public infrastructure and sometimes loss of life. According to the BBC, Jakarta is the fastest-sinking city in the world. Studies show that 95% of the city could be underwater by 2050.

Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, located on the island’s southeast coast. Tourists can find popular attractions like the Bob Marley Museum, Devon House, and Lime Cay here. Unfortunately, though, in recent years, Kingston has had a reputation for high murder and crime rates. The city has also faced issues regarding gang violence, poverty, and drug trafficking.

Less than two years ago, the government announced a state of emergency to control the rising levels of violence. Thankfully, the Office of the Prime Minister recently revealed that Jamaica is starting to record the lowest crime levels in more than 22 years, so things will likely improve.

Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela

Venezuela is on this list for the second time, with Ciudad Guayana. Ciudad Guayana is a port city on the Orinoco and Caroní rivers in Bolívar state. Known as a gateway to the Gran Sabana and Orinoco Delta, this city is the second deadliest city in Venezuela, after Caracas.

The crime rates in Ciudad Guayana are incredibly high, making it an unsafe place for tourists to travel. Horrific crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and muggings are all common as a result of gang violence and economic hardships. If tourists aren’t advised to avoid Ciudad Guayana altogether, they’re undoubtedly advised to avoid traveling alone at night.