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10 Popular Cities That Can Be Dangerous for Tourists

It’s possible to have your wallet stolen or get food poisoning in any city, but there are places where tourists should be extremely careful.

We should note that there are far more dangerous places in the world, but tourists prefer to steer clear of them. We want to tell you surprising facts about very popular places.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a well-known capital of pickpockets. There are thousands of them here, and they are very skillful. Barcelona is followed by Rome, Prague, and Paris.

Most thefts happen on the main street of the city: La Rambla. Actually, they can steal your money or your stuff on the beach, in public transport, and even from your hotel room. Be careful!

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is a legendary city, and it’s a very strong contrast to Egyptian resorts in terms of relaxation.

Firstly, it’s one of the most dangerous cities in the world for women.

Secondly, the political situation is dangerous, and there are often conflicts in this area.

Finally, and most likely, hundreds of people will try to cheat you nonstop. The most popular example is that it costs just $5 to mount a camel and $50 to dismount it.

Pattaya, Thailand

Eating out can be a game of Russian roulette in Thailand, and you never know when and how you might get food poisoning.

It happens extremely often in Pattaya, a very dirty but still popular city among tourists. Seafood is most often the cause, sometimes meat and salads.

Locals eat everything with a lot of spices, which kill all dangerous bacteria. Tourists, however, get by without them. As a result, they often get food poisoning. To be safe, eat like the locals.

Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa is a country of stunning nature, a place where 2 oceans meet. But there are problems here: just 30 years ago, the age of apartheid ended. This was a time when the white population discriminated against black people.

Now it’s the other way around: white people are harassed, especially in Johannesburg. If you are white, you’d better travel by car or taxi (remember that you need a taxi for white people). The best case scenario is that people will stare at you in the streets. Here, very few people walk on foot. Look at photos — the streets are empty.

Naples, Italy

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Italian people say that Naples is the most Italian city of all, and it was probably in Naples that pizza was invented.

However, the city has always been dangerous, and there are a lot of pickpockets. There are many people on scooters, and they appear out of nowhere and grab your bag or your camera. Local “businessmen” are also very tricky: they can start washing your car and then ask you for money. Naples is very dirty too.

Tijuana, Mexico

This city is located on the border of the US and Mexico, which is why it’s a popular place for people from the US who want to have a truly Mexican weekend.

But it’s not just tourists who come to Tijuana. There are a lot of fugitives from the US, and it’s also a transit point for drug dealers. So this is a very dangerous place. And there is not much to see — only the central street.

Mumbai, India

Every tourist who comes to Mumbai is always surrounded by a crowd of beggars who see them as walking wallets. Some of them even pretend to be Yogis or “enlightened” in order to steal something.

India is also notorious for a huge number of attacks on women. There is also very hot weather and a dirty environment, which are perfect conditions for food poisoning or getting sick.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Santa Teresa, one of the central city districts, is very dangerous, even though it doesn’t look like it. You shouldn’t show your phone or your camera here as you may get attacked. Some people even have knives.

In fact, it’s better not to walk in downtown Rio at night. And, of course, don’t go to the favelas (famous Brazilian slums) without a guide.

Paris, France

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Romantic Paris is not as safe as it might seem — there are a lot of pickpockets, many beggars, and really pushy street vendors trying to sell you something you don’t need for a very high price. Your best course of action is not to talk to them at all.

Bonus: Dubai, UAE

Although Dubai seems to be more westernized than other Muslim cities, you should still remember about the dress code if you are a woman. To avoid being stared at or even sexually harassed (sex outside of marriage is normally taboo, so foreign women are the only chance to break this rule), keep your legs and arms covered. Don’t act in a provocative manner. On the other hand, you can relax when you are within your hotel territory — you are perfectly safe there.

As you see, not all places in the world are 100% safe (with the possible exception of Japan and Scandinavia). However, if you follow simple safety rules, your chances of having a good vacation are very high. Maybe you know some other cities that we could add to the list? Tell us in the comment section below!

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