Some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world are also the most dangerous. Tourists may be tempted by sunny beaches or mystical ruins in brochures only to find that visiting some of these places is not only less than desirable, but downright dangerous. If you are considering travelling to one of these cities, think again. Here are the 20 most dangerous cities on Earth in 2025.
Tijuana, Mexico
2025’s murder capital of the world is Tijuana, Mexico. It’s not just your better than 1 in 1,000 odds of being murdered that make it a dangerous city. Tijuana is caught in a war between the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Violence, drugs, human trafficking, and extortion are all part of daily life there.
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
The highest murder rate in the U.S. belongs to St. Louis. The city has had a declining population for more than 75 years. Poverty and crime are rampant. Adult literacy rates are low. Opportunities for education are lacking. St. Louis has a lot to do to make their city less dangerous and more desirable to visitors.
Cape Town, South Africa
Stunning landscapes, rich culture, and a booming tourism industry make Cape Town sound like a safe travel option. The truth is, the city hides a much darker side. Cultural unrest, crime, and violence make many would-be tourists uneasy. Violent crime, corruption, and instability make the South African capital unsafe.
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Tourists looking for a more economical option while seeing New York City might consider Newark, NJ. Staying in Newark is unsafe due to high crime rates, gangs, and gun violence. Also, getting from Newark to NYC is dangerous in a small state with more than 500 fatal accidents every year, and a terrifyingly dangerous public transit system.
Caracas, Venezuela
Crime is on the rise in Caracas, and has been for years. Not only must visitors be concerned with violent crime, they must also be vigilant against scammers, pickpockets, and other thieves. Gang violence and corruption only exacerbate an already vulnerable situation. If you are going to Caracas, travel responsibly.
Dnipro, Ukraine
Ukraine is a diverse country with scenic views, historic sites, and plenty to do. At one time, Dnipro was a travel destination. Now the city has the highest crime rate in the country and is regularly targeted for bombing in the war with Russia. Now is not the time to see Dnipro; hopefully, that will change in the future.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos is synonymous with luxurious Mexican beach vacations with crystal blue water and glistening white sand. But just beyond the beach lies a city that is brimming with violent cartels, human trafficking, and drugs. The frequency of shootings and homicides makes the city unsafe for anyone, especially tourists unaware of the dangers.
Fortaleza, Brazil
Brazil’s Fortaleza is known for outstanding beaches, red cliffs, and blue lagoons. Travellers from all over the world would descend on the state of Ceará if it were not also well known for poverty, drugs, and violent gangs. It is the most violent state capital in a country wrought with violence.
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Baltimore, Maryland, is home to some of the most significant events in U.S. history. It is also home to a massive drug trade, an extraordinarily high crime rate, and a police force the community has lost faith in. The city faces many tough obstacles, including violence, corruption, and poverty.
Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco has fantastic beaches set against a stunning mountain backdrop. It is also a highly disputed gang and cartel territory. Not only do gangs fight for territory, but cartels fight to control trafficking routes. Gun battles break out with horrific regularity. The entire city is oppressed by an atmosphere of insecurity and fear.
Stockton, California, USA
The trouble in Stockton started with economic problems that culminated in the city filing for bankruptcy in 2012. With that came lower property values, higher unemployment, and poverty started to creep in. Crime rates in the city have been getting worse for more than a decade, and violent crime is still on the rise. It remains to be seen if Stockton can recover from all of this.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For almost 100 years, people have flocked to see the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. With other popular religious sites, jaw-dropping beaches, and some of the best Carnival celebrations in the world, tourism has always been big for Rio. Today, robberies, carjackings, and violent street gangs threaten the city’s prosperity.
Zamora, Mexico
The last five years have seen Zamora, Mexico, compete for the worst of the worst. They have jockeyed for the position of murder capital of the world and, at one point, had one murder for every 500 people. Drugs, cartels, and corruption make it hard to see how the city will be able to pull out of the cycle of violence moving forward.
Ciudad Guyana, Venezuela
Ciudad Guyana, Venezuela, is a city engulfed in violence. Gangs terrorize the city. Constant fears of robbery, carjackings, home invasion, and murder loom over everyday life there. Ciudad Guyana is an industrial hub, but that has only quickened the decay of its natural beauty, driving away tourists even more.
Nassau, Bahamas
Those looking to escape to a tropical paradise often go to Nassau in the Bahamas. However, the islands may not be as safe as you think. Travelers to the island nation face risks from high violent crime rates, gangs, and water-related incidents. There is even a rise in unnatural deaths at some of Nassau’s best resorts.
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
A border town between Mexico and the U.S., Ciudad Juárez is caught in a turf war between drug cartels that spans most of the border. The city used to be the first stopping point for Americans looking for entertainment, but the violence has caused tourism to all but disappear, and the poverty rate just keeps going up.
Mogadishu, Somalia
Mogadishu is geographically beautiful and is filled with scenic coastal views. Unfortunately, the city is incredibly volatile and unsafe for its own citizens, and even more so for foreigners. Piracy and kidnapping for ransom have become big money makers for local criminals, driving away any hopes for increasing tourism.
Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica has always been a tourist hotspot due to the climate and gorgeous island scenery. The government faces instability, and poverty drives high crime rates. Gangs make the city even more dangerous, and the murder rate is exceptionally high. While Kingston looks beautiful, it isn’t really safe for tourists.
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
People in Memphis have better than 1 in 50 odds of being a victim of a violent crime. Assault, rape, and murder all happen at a much higher rate here than in the rest of the U.S. Drugs, poverty, gangs, and gun violence are all issues, as well as property crimes like theft. Tennessee has far better places to visit than Memphis.
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Ohio faces ongoing criminal activity that contrasts with its generally positive reputation. Urban areas, like Cleveland, contend with serious crimes like homicide and assault, alongside property-related violations such as burglary and larceny. Poverty is also an issue. These obstacles make it difficult for Ohio’s law enforcement agencies to maintain security and protect residents and visitors.
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