5 of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the world

5 of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the world

We’ve compiled the top five most dangerous tourist destinations that you can visit today. 

If the idea of another holiday relaxing by the pool doesn’t do it for you anymore, then this list is for you. Before travelling to any of these destinations, just make sure you understand the risks and take every precaution necessary. Not all destinations on this list are entirely legal without an official guide and you need to understand that people can and do die while travelling to these destinations. If by this stage you’re still reading, then you’re going to love this list.

Chernobyl, Ukraine – Chernobyl Tours

On April 26 1986, the working-class city of Chernobyl in what was then known as the Soviet Union, was rocked by the biggest nuclear disaster of our generation. A power surge destroyed Unit 4 of the nuclear power station in the city, leading to a fire that released an unprecedented amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

Now more than 30 years have passed, it is safe enough to tour the abandoned city of Chernobyl and see the destruction of this nuclear disaster with your own eyes. The radiation dose you get during one day spent inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone is equal to natural radiation levels that you likely experience flying or in a hospital. Chernobylstory.com runs officially licensed, all-inclusive tours into the Chernobyl red zone that any danger seeking tourist must have at the top of their list.

lha da Queimada Grande, Brazil – Snake Island

Otherwise known as Snake Island, lha da Queimada Grande is a small archipelago off the coast of Brazil. Widely touted as the most dangerous island in the world, Iha da Queimada Grande is literally home to tens of thousands of deadly snakes.But it is also an amazing place of ecological significance, highlighting how certain species can flourish when rising sea levels cut them off from predators. The Brazilian government has made travelling to Snake Island illegal. But you know as well as we do that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Pamplona, Spain – Running of the Bulls

Heading to the city of Pamplona in Spain for 11 out of 12 months in the year will likely result in a relaxing holiday spent sipping sangria in the afternoon and dancing the night away. But head to Pamplona during the month of July and you will experience one of the most dangerous, yet exhilarating festivals in the world.

Known as the Running of the Bulls, locals and tourists alike will line the narrow streets as Spanish fighting bulls race downhill toward them. Outrun or dodge them, just whatever you do, don’t get caught. There have been numerous deaths throughout the festival’s history, ranging from tramplings to gougings. Heading to Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls is not for the fainthearted.

Devil’s Pool, Zambia – Victoria Falls Infinity Pool

As the world’s highest waterfall, Victoria Falls sees an average of 500 million litres of water crashing over its edge every minute. Just describing the colossal scale of the great Victoria Falls doesn’t do it justice. Thousands of years of erosion has seen the rocks at the edge of the waterfall chisel away to form natural swimming pools.

The most famous, known as Devil’s Pool, is right on the edge, making it the ultimate natural infinity pool.  Somewhat ironically, swimming in Zambia’s Devil’s Pool is actually promoted by Zambia’s official government tourism website. If danger is what you’re after, then a swim in Devil’s Pool, during the dry season, is for you.

Darwin, Australia – Adelaide River Crocodile Cruise

Our fifth and final most dangerous tourist destination in the world is in Darwin, Australia. Book a crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River and you will quickly understand why numerous tourists fall victim to the powerful jaws of these prehistoric creatures. These cruises will lure in whichever of the tens of thousands of saltwater crocodiles lurking beneath the muddy surface, with literal slabs of raw meat. Crocodiles will jump from the water to get a free lunch.

Just do as the captain of your boat asks and don’t hang your arm out over the edge to take photos when the crocodiles know there’s meat on board.