5 Countries Safer To Travel To Now Than They Were A Decade Ago

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There are some travelers who love the thrill of traveling somewhere risky.

They take dark tourism or conflict tourism to the next level, staying in refugee camps, visiting countries in the midst of political turmoil, and going places no other tourists dare to go.

But most of us are much happier to stick to countries where things are not likely to go wrong.

That doesn’t mean we only want to go to places like Switzerland though.

As long as we can be fairly guaranteed safety, all places are on the table.

When traveling to any country there is a risk of theft.

Make sure you have insurance that covers your stuff anywhere in the world, especially if you’re visiting a risky country.

The good news is that many countries have learned how to manage crime faced by tourists in recent years.

The following 5 countries are a lot safer now for tourists than they were a decade ago.

1. South Africa

South Africa has made it onto lists of the most dangerous tourist destinations for many years now due to its high crime rate.

Unfortunately, crime is still high in South Africa, but tourists are at a much lower risk than previously.

Because tourism is so important for cities like Cape Town, the government has worked on increasing tourist safety.

Crime rates are still extremely high, but most of the crime is concentrated in poor areas that are not frequented by tourists.

It is still prudent to take care when walking the streets at night and to take travel advisories into account.

2. Brazil

Brazil has high crime rates and many tourists have been victims of muggings in the past.

In places like Rio de Janeiro, criminals, and drug lords have made safety an issue for locals and tourists alike.

However, in recent years, Brazil has become somewhat safer for tourists.

In a sociopolitical context, this is not necessarily a good thing.

The Brazilian military has cracked down on crime in the favelas, in moves that have disadvantaged everyone living there.

President Jair Bolsonaro has made this worse since he came into power in 2019, with police raids killing many residents.

As a tourist, you may feel safer in cities like Rio than ever before, but it comes with the awareness that poor people have suffered for it.

3. Georgia

Georgia doesn’t make most people’s travel bucket lists, but if you’re looking for a good place to go on a budget vacation, there are few better options.

Georgia has a lot of natural beauty, with gorgeous mountains and black sand beaches.

Tbilisi is a vibrant city as well if you love the hustle and bustle.

A decade ago, Georgia was considered one of the most dangerous places to visit, with terrorism risks as well as political turmoil in the wake of Russia’s 2008 war on the country.

While certain parts of Georgia should still be avoided – especially those on the Russian border – the popular tourist destinations are relatively safe.

You should still be wary of crime and keep a close eye on your possessions.

4. The Philippines

Ten years ago, the Phillippines was considered a dangerous country to visit due to high terrorism threats.

In 2022, those threats are not nearly as ubiquitous as they once were.

That’s not to say that terrorist attacks don’t still happen.

However, they’re far less frequent and are less likely to impact tourists.

It’s worth going to the Philippines, as it has some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Places like Puerto Princesa and El Nido rival any island destination, even in a region populated by thousands of islands.

That said, there is always the risk of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis in Southeast Asia, which will remain an ever-present threat.

5. Egypt

Okay, we’re venturing ‘out of the frying pan, into the fire territory here.

Egypt in the early 2010s was going through major political strife.

Protests and riots, along with government violence and coups, made travel incredibly dangerous.

In 2022, things are far more settled, but Egypt remains a dangerous tourist destination.

While there are some incredible sites to see in Egypt, there is a risk of terrorism, in addition to the risk of crime.

Recently, tourists from various locations have been warned of the potential of terror attacks directed at them.

The above countries are not safe destinations, but they are significantly safer than they were a decade ago.

Nevertheless, you should consider whether the risk is worth it and take any travel advisories into account.