The Riskiest Cities for Tourists in 2024

As we write this, the colder weather is slowly making itself known in the UK. Dreams of far-flung adventures are certainly beginning to become more frequent. Whether we turn these dreams into reality though takes some thought. Do we go for the tourist hotspots? Do we discover the lesser-known parts of popular countries, or do we go off the beaten track to somewhere many would refuse to acknowledge?

Much depends on how much risk you want to take, and that is what we dive into in this edition of our blog. What are the riskiest cities you could visit as a tourist? Using the data compiled in the annual Forbes list, we took a look, so that when you come to choosing your new adventure, you’ve got the full lowdown.

Combining data from various sources, Forbes was able to curate a comprehensive listing, and we’ve picked the top 8.

When compiling this list, Forbes decided to consider seven factors. Crime, personal security, health, digital security, infrastructure and natural disasters. Using the results, each city was then given a total score out of 100.

The Venezuelan city of Caracas topped the charts with a maximum 100 score for danger. At present, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to the country as a whole, and not just the capital city. What makes it so dangerous though? Crime levels are high for starters. We look at data provided by Numbeo and see that the level of crime remains very high. Where Numbeo grades this category out of 100, Caracas scored a scary 92.11.

Vandalism, theft, armed robbery, corruption and bribery all scored worryingly high, giving visitors plenty to keep them on their guard.

It isn’t just fears of crime that could keep people away. Hyperinflation, an extremely turbulent political scene and a healthcare system in disarray mean that risks also stem from many more factors than just criminal.

Karachi is a vibrant city full of exciting culture, intriguing cuisine, and fascinating history. Unfortunately, it poses risks for tourists that may mean it’s better to enjoy online rather than IRL. Scoring 93.12 on the Forbes list, Karachi has issues with violent crime, bribery corruption and theft among other criminal activities. Risks extend way beyond crime though. The city appears unable to cope with its visitors and general population with power outages and water supply issues quite common. A concern for many tourists is healthcare. Earlier this year the World Health Organisation ranked Pakistan 124^th out of 169 countries. With rising drug prices, and now the escalation of the Chikungunya Virus, among many other prevalent maladies, the healthcare system is not equipped to assist those needing help.

Myanmar has been a hotbed of political unrest over the past few years and this instability has helped place it third on this list. Scoring 91.67 out of 100, Yangon, although popular with tourists, is struggling to keep itself as a place people wish to visit. Back in 2012, it was reported that not even 50% of the hotel space in the city would be deemed suitable for tourists. Fast forward to today and concerns are more wide-ranging.

Poor healthcare, shocking roads, unreliable public services and lack of clean water just make up part of the problems that could put visitors at risk, but the biggest concern is terrorism. Whilst there is no longer guidance for all but essential travel, certain areas of the Yangon region are under martial law. Townships such as Shwe Pyithar, Hlaing Tha Ya and Dagon Myothit all follow strict rules and have heightened risk compared to other areas of the city. Perhaps alarmingly, in July 2021, when COVID-19 was causing global havoc, soldiers in Yangon opened fire on civilians waiting for oxygen cylinders. Unfortunately, as a result of the 2021 coup, healthcare and general safety now run hand in hand as both are extremely fragile.

Lagos is perhaps one of the safer areas of Nigeria, yet it still comes full of risks that tourists need to be aware of. Coming in fourth on the Forbes list with a score of 91.54, the Nigerian city is unfortunately rife with criminal activity. Assaults on tourists are common, and it is widely recommended that any visitors exercise a high degree of caution if in areas covering Ikeja down to Lago Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi. Kidnappings and carjackings are known to be frequent and armed robberies have even taken place at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the city.

Outside of risks relating to crime, there is always concern about healthcare. Nigeria actually has quite a strong private healthcare system in place, but it doesn’t match up to what we might expect in Europe or the USA for example. A poor infrastructure means that staffing levels don’t match demand, and a market of fake drugs, high costs and poor hygiene means it can be hard to get suitable treatment. Especially if you don’t have adequate international travel health insurance.

Manilla takes fifth spot on the list with a score of 91.49 and it picks this score up for several reasons. Crime seems to be growing in Manila, the recent data from Statista shows a crime index score of 65.4 which puts it in the category of high. This is somewhat higher than in 2016 when it was 49.2 and the highest it has been for some time. The Numbeo data used by Forbes tells us that Manila is in fact the most dangerous city in Southeast Asia with property crimes and violent crimes of particular concern. To further heighten the concern, the safety index which runs alongside the crime index has slid to 29.96, demonstrating how unsafe residents and tourists feel within the city.

Healthcare doesn’t seem to be as much of a concern in Manila as in the other places we’ve covered. The private sector has a wealth of facilities of a good standard and is seen as quite cheap when compared to what is found in the West. It is only when you head to the more remote areas that the healthcare provisions start to lack in both standards and staff.

Perhaps one of the biggest risks posed to tourists visiting Manila is the potential for natural disasters. Typhoons are frequent across the whole of the Philippines with an average of 20 per year, many of which hit Manila. In the summer of 2024, Super Typhoon Gaemi caused widespread devastation that led to many deaths and intense flooding that required people to evacuate.

Volcanoes are also a worry. Manilla currently is listed as high risk for volcanic eruption with the Taal and Pinatubo volcanos remaining active. In July 2021, Taal didn’t erupt but began spewing toxic gases which put 300,000 people at risk.

Earthquakes are also a concern thanks to where the Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Although tremors tend to be felt more than a full earthquake, many experts feel it could only be a matter of time.

Dhaka in Bangladesh takes sixth spot in the Forbes list with a score of 89.5. Whilst a cultural hotbed and a place where people can immerse themselves in both the spirituality and history of this part of the world, it does come with risks worth taking note of. Overpopulation, poor sewage systems, pollution and vast traffic congestion are just part of what makes Dhaka frustrating for tourists but it’s the more traditional risks that raise red flags.

 A crime index score of 62.17 sees it sit within the high category for crime. Robbery, violent crime and rape are among the types of incidents frequently reported and with criminal gangs operating throughout Dhaka, lone travel can be a significant risk.

The political landscape throughout Bangladesh has seen riots and protests spring up in many cities including Dhaka. Whilst things are now much calmer than they were, the potential for a sudden rally or demonstration to get out of hand remains a concern. Terrorism is a worry too with attacks often found to be targeting police stations, religious buildings or crowded areas in cities like Dhaka.

Healthcare is seeing improvements through government investment, but it is still not up to the standards you may be used to in the UK. The Gov.uk website states that routine tests and X-rays are unreliable and that facilities, on the whole, are poor. Dengue fever, Zika virus and Malaria are common, with Dengue Fever in particular a cause for concern in Dhaka at the moment as cases rise.

The private sector is developing with the Apollo Hospital, United Hospital and Square Hospital all offering a distinctively higher level of service than what you’d find in the public facilities. Unfortunately, whilst pharmacies are in abundance, the medications you may find at home are not always available and, in many cases, counterfeit medications are sold instead.

Columbia has long since grabbed the headlines for the risks it poses to both residents and tourists. Whilst the days of the Narcos are no longer what they were, visitors to the country are finding themselves presented with a host of risks that make a trip a little more worrying. Bogota, the capital, offers much in excitement, but plenty in risk too.

Crime is still rife in Bogota and with a score of 66.39 on the crime index and only 33.61 on the safety index, concerns are backed up with data. The fact that Medellin – a known crime hotspot – is seen as safer than Bogota by some, may be enough for people to decide against visiting Bogota. However, a recent travel blog we read explains that sticking to the right neighbourhoods and taking safety precautions like you would in London, for example, would ensure you remain safe. This should be taken with a pinch of salt though. Insight Crime reported that in 2022, an average of 36 murders per day took place in Columbia with Bogota itself seeing 13 per 100,000 people over the year. This puts it below many US cities but above pretty much all European destinations.

Of course, homicides are at the more extreme end of the crime scale, and tourists as a whole are not commonly the victims. However, robbery, extortion, muggings and carjackings remain prominent. Areas like Ciudad Bolivar and Cerro de Monserrate are best avoided.

Away from crime, healthcare in Bogota is pretty good. In fact, Columbia as a whole, ranks well globally. As a tourist though, you may find yourself succumbing to a few maladies during your stay. Bogota is located in the Andes and with an average altitude of over 2,600m, altitude sickness is common for visitors. Zika, malaria, dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya are currently a concern and a recent outbreak of Oropouche virus requires attention.

Finally, we have the risk of natural disasters. The General Study of Seismic Hazards in Columbia ranks Bogota as an area of medium seismic risk meaning earthquakes are possible. Landslides have been known to occur too, and in 2004, the government had to resettle residents of Santa Viviana after it was declared a high-risk landslide zone. Air pollution is also a worry. Whilst tourists may only be visiting for the short term, the fact that 2,320 premature deaths were attributed to air pollution in 2019 isn’t a glowing endorsement of the city. That being said, the local government has since put in place a host of actions to rectify this and in 2020, a 26% reduction in particulate matter was already noticeable.

Egypt has long been a favourite destination for tourists. Some come for the sandy, beach-hugging resorts, others come for the history. And it is where you find the history that you find much of the risk.

Sitting in 8^th place on the Forbes risky city list with a score of 83.44, Cairo provides a mixed bag of risks for tourists to remain aware of. As with all the countries we’ve covered, healthcare and crime are prominent concerns.

Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is one of the most congested in the world, and the levels of fine particulate matter that pose the most health risk are several times higher than levels the WHO recommends. Not ideal if you want a casual stroll around the city centre!

Roads aren’t great in Cairo either and thanks to the mixture of congestion and road quality, you need to keep your wits about you should you be driving during your visit. Whilst laws on the road exist, they seem to be rarely enforced, leaving it all to be a bit of a free-for-all in place with the chance of accident quite high.

With tourists in such large numbers, there is the risk of being a victim of petty crime. Pickpocketing incidents, harassment and mugging are often reported. Slightly more concerning are reports of sexual assault and harassment and it is often advised that female travellers avoid travelling alone.

Health risks vary throughout Cairo. High temperatures are certainly a concern with the average in summer months ranging from 32-35°C. Perhaps more troubling is the potential for hepatitis, filariasis, rabies and tuberculosis. Having the correct vaccinations before travel is therefore imperative.

The LGBTQ community can also find Cairo a risky city to visit. In 2017 arrests were made for a rainbow flag simply being waved! Tourist areas tend to be a little more relaxed, but it is important to be aware of cultural rules and traditions, so you don’t find yourself in a compromising situation.

Finally, terrorism is still a factor in parts of Egypt. Whilst Cairo is one of the less targeted areas, it is still seen as an area of risk. In 2019, an IED attack on a tourist bus near the pyramids in Giza injured at least 16 people whilst in the same year, bombs in Cairo’s Manial and Darb al-ahamar districts injured more than twenty people.

These were the 8 most risky cities for tourists according to Forbes in 2024, of course, many may improve over the coming years and present a safer, healthier, less risky environment for visitors. Should you be planning to visit any of these cities, always seek the latest government advice about vaccinations, terror threats and local laws. Then ensure you have a suitable insurance policy to cover your stay. At Expatriate Group, we offer both long and short term healthcare insurance as well as comprehensive travel insurance packages. Contact our team today for a free quote.