El Angel Ecological Reserve

[DawgHammarskjold]

Ecuador
Ecuador is a popular destination for backpackers across Central America, but some areas aren't safe for visitors. El Angel Ecological Reserve (picture) is inside a 12-mile exclusion zone that the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has imposed as a result of guerrilla groups, drug traffickers and criminal gangs being active in the area. If you visit, it’s likely that your travel insurance will be invalid.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Ecuador
Ecuador is also situated in an area of intense seismic activity. Cotopaxi, one of South America’s most active volcanoes, is only 31 miles from capital Quito and its presence looms large. A significant eruption could happen at any time, making it a risky destination for visitors.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Myanmar
Myanmar is going through political turmoil and, although many people still visit, the situation in ethnic states where armed groups operate is volatile. Take particular care in the border areas.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Myanmar
The violence and civil unrest that has caused more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees to flee Myanmar has led many travelers to question the ethics of visiting for a holiday.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Haiti
The Caribbean country, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic, is still recovering from a devastating earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew, which made landfall in 2016. Hurricane season is from June-November.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Armed conflict in the eastern DRC and three Kasai provinces makes these areas too dangerous to travel in, but even more worrying for tourists is the recent murder of a ranger and kidnapping of two British nationals by an armed group in popular tourist destination Virunga National Park (pictured). The park has now suspended tourism.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Turkey
Following an attempted coup in 2016, Turkey has been operating under a state of emergency, which the UN say has been used to justify the torture of detainees. Tension is high in Istanbul and police checkpoints are common, particularly at tourist attractions such as Hagia Sophia,

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Madagascar
Madagascar has experienced political instability since the 2009 coup d’état. The government has increased police presence at tourist sites such as the Allée de Baobabs (pictured), but remote sites are best visited as a group with a reputable tour operator.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Kashmir, India
India has enchanted many a traveler over the years, but it's not all gorgeous architecture and spectacular palaces. The disputed region of Kashmir is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south, by Pakistan to the west, and by Afghanistan to the northwest. Violent clashes between protesters and soldiers are common in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Kashmir, India
Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir and tourists flock here to stay in houseboats on picturesque Dal Lake (pictured). However, the political situation is volatile and strikes, demonstrations and curfews are prevalent – the old town should be visited with caution.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Iran
Be aware that bureaux de change are no longer licensed to trade currency, non-Iranian debit and credit cards will not work and it is illegal to trade money on the street.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Indonesia
Piracy is a big problem in Indonesian waters, where thousands of islands are the perfect hideaway. The Malacca Strait is widely considered “the most dangerous waters in the world”. Unfortunately, attacks are on the increase.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Indonesia
There are many active volcanoes in Indonesia, many of which can erupt with little or no warning. There are exclusion zones around several volcanoes in Indonesia because, in the past, eruptions have caused destruction and fatalities.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

North Korea
Although it is possible to visit as part of a group tour, US passports have been invalidated for travel to North Korea. You may have to wait a while to visit beauty spots like Heaven Lake (pictured) on the North Korea/China border.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Honduras
With one of the highest homicide rates in the world, crime and violence is a very real problem in Honduras. While most serious crime does not affect foreigners, there are sometimes attacks on tourists, including armed robbery and sexual assault.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Saudi Arabia
Terrorism in Saudi Arabia is a threat, with Daesh likely to carry out attacks in places frequented by foreigners, especially during religiously significant periods. Social media posts have encouraged attacks against western visitors, with further attacks likely.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Jamaica
If you’re visiting Jamaica, be vigilant: crime levels are high, gang violence and shootings can occur, and robbery and theft (even in hotels and resorts) is common.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Bangladesh
The threat of terrorism is prominent throughout Bangladesh, with densely populated areas where foreigners congregate thought to be at a higher risk of attack. There have been a number of terrorist attacks in the last couple of years, with Daesh claiming responsibility.

 

[DawgHammarskjold]

Bangladesh
Half of Bangladesh lies in a high-risk earthquake zone, so if you’re visiting make sure you’re prepared in case of a natural disaster. The country can also be affected by tsunamis, tropical cyclones and flooding and remote rural areas can be cut off from outside help.

 

[JudgeLarryDawg]

Haiti
The Caribbean country, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic, is still recovering from a devastating earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew, which made landfall in 2016. Hurricane season is from June-November.

Haiti has no fear. They know the Clinton Foundation will take care of them.

 

[George Hayduke]

Iran
Be aware that bureaux de change are no longer licensed to trade currency, non-Iranian debit and credit cards will not work and it is illegal to trade money on the street.

Sonofabitch. There goes my vacation plans.

 

[MonolithicDawgX]

I liked Quito, but unfortunately couldn't get out to much more of the country.