I’ve been traveling the world for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my family and I took trips every year, and the moment I turned 18, I started solo traveling and backpacking across the globe. Since then, I’ve visited 40 countries across six continents, experiencing everything from luxury travel to budget backpacking, from digital nomad life to group trips, and plenty of time completely on my own.
How I Actually Judge Whether a Country Is Worth Going Back To
When I travel to a country, I try to see the fullest picture possible. I want to experience the big cities, the small mountain towns, the coastal villages, and everything in between. I immerse myself in the people, the culture, and the overall energy of a place. I try the food and drinks, explore the landscapes and landmarks, and take in the natural surroundings. All of these elements combined create a certain vibe, a feeling, and ultimately shape my appreciation for a country.
Sometimes that feeling is incredibly strong and positive. Other times, certain aspects stand out more than others. It might be the people who make a place unforgettable, the food that keeps me dreaming about going back, or the landscapes that make me feel completely at home. And sometimes a country offers so much to me as a traveler, while other times it simply does not have that same pull.
Before I get into my personal rankings of the countries I’ve visited that I do not feel the need to return to, I want to set a few things straight. Every travel experience is deeply personal. My experience will never be the same as yours, and my opinions will always be shaped by my own perspectives, circumstances, and preferences in ways yours may not be.
My viewpoint on these destinations is based on a variety of factors, all of which I will explain as I go, so you can understand why these countries sit at the bottom of my personal list.
1| United Arab Emirates
This is the first country that comes to mind when I think about my least favorite place I’ve ever traveled to, or somewhere I would never go back to, and for a few very clear reasons. I spent about a week and a half in the United Arab Emirates, exploring both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The first thing that stands out when I think about why I wouldn’t revisit is its lack of soul and its lack of culture. The UAE is a very small country made up of roughly 80 percent expats, meaning the vast majority of the population is not originally from there. Because of that, it feels like there is little to no cultural identity. You are surrounded by people from everywhere else, Indians, Pakistanis, Egyptians, Americans, Canadians, Europeans. You can find every cuisine imaginable from around the world, yet somehow it feels difficult to find authentic Emirati culture front and center.
The UAE Felt Like the Most Soulless Place I’ve Ever Visited
The cities themselves felt like they lacked energy. Everything is extremely built up and ultra luxurious, filled with skyscrapers, seven-star resorts, and the most over the top versions of everything you could imagine. The whole country felt like a museum of the most impressive and expensive things money can buy. Instead of feeling lived in, it felt displayed.
It also feels relatively new, with very little visible history compared to other places I’ve traveled. To me, it came across as a place built by wealthy people for wealthy people, designed to grow business, status, and money rather than preserve culture or heritage. There is also a darker side to that wealth that is hard to ignore, with large populations of labor workers living in extremely poor conditions while building this luxury lifestyle for others.
The environment itself adds to the disconnect. The heat is so extreme that life happens almost entirely indoors. I remember walking around Abu Dhabi during the daytime and seeing virtually no one outside. It genuinely felt like a ghost town, with everyone hiding in air conditioning just trying to escape the desert temperatures.
When Everything Is Man-Made, Nothing Feels Real
On top of that, almost everything is man made. The beaches are man-made. The islands are man-made. Entire sections of the cities are engineered to outdo one another, whether it is the tallest building, the most luxurious hotel, or the most extravagant restaurant. It constantly feels like a competition of excess.
The culture, at least from my perspective as a traveler seeking authenticity, felt centered almost entirely around wealth. Luxury cars, designer shopping, record breaking police fleets, everything came back to money and status. I found it one of the most bizarre atmospheres I have ever experienced while traveling.
Because of that, I struggled to connect with the destination at all. The entire time I felt like I was living in a dystopian version of reality, surrounded by things that looked impressive on the surface but felt completely artificial underneath.
I even tried to escape the cities by doing a desert excursion, hoping to experience something more raw and natural. But even that felt curated, like stepping into a staged Instagram set. You are brought to a small, controlled section of desert designed to look remote, when in reality you are not far from highways, skyscrapers, and luxury developments. It felt performative rather than genuine.
Ultimately, as a traveler who seeks authenticity, culture, and unique human experiences, the UAE offered the opposite of what I look for.
The only scenario where I see myself going back would be to transit through the airport, since it is such a major global hub. Other than that, I found it to be an incredibly soulless place that lacked the energy and authenticity I believe travel is meant to offer.
2| Malaysia
Next on my list is a country that many people genuinely enjoy, but for me, it didn’t feel special, and I never really connected with it. I spent over a month traveling through Malaysia, starting on the island of Langkawi, moving on to Georgetown in Penang, up to the Cameron Highlands, then to Kuala Lumpur, and finally to Melaka.
Langkawi was definitely my favorite part of the country, though that’s partly because it felt the least like the rest of Malaysia. Even there, however, I wasn’t blown away compared to other islands I’ve visited in Southeast Asia or around the world. Something about it just felt off, though I can’t exactly pinpoint what.
Malaysia Had the Right Ingredients, But I Never Felt Welcome There
For the rest of the country, the biggest factor that shaped my experience was the people. For much of my trip, I never felt welcomed. There was a lingering unwelcoming energy, and I often felt stared at or met with expressions of disinterest or even disdain. It was very different from what I’ve experienced in much of Southeast Asia, where locals are often incredibly kind and treat travelers like family. I simply never felt that connection here, and it left me feeling uncomfortable, especially in the bigger cities.
Kuala Lumpur Looked Impressive on the Surface but Never Drew Me In
On top of that, I was continuously underwhelmed by the country itself. Many of the cities I visited felt overly built up and businesslike, dominated by skyscrapers and modern infrastructure. Kuala Lumpur, while unique in some ways, ultimately felt underwhelming to me, and this carried through to every city I explored. Even the Cameron Highlands, which I had been told were beautiful and special, felt staged and touristy. It seemed impossible to enjoy the area without feeling like I was in a curated version of reality rather than truly experiencing it.
By the time I left Malaysia, I was ready to move on. I never felt that authentic connection or positive energy that I look for as a traveler. For me, much of the country felt artificial, built for tourism rather than for culture or genuine experiences. I struggled to sync with the culture and environment, and that lingering vibe made me feel that this part of Malaysia simply wasn’t for me.
That said, I would be open to visiting Borneo someday. I’ve heard that it has a completely different culture and energy, and I think it would be fascinating to experience. But based on the parts of Malaysia I explored, I cannot see myself returning, because I never felt welcomed or connected to the country in a meaningful way.
3| Slovakia
Next on my list is Slovakia in Europe. I visited when I was backpacking through Eastern Europe a few years ago, and I spent my time in the capital, Bratislava, which is where most of the activity in the country happens. With that being said, there was literally nothing going on in the city.
I’ve actually spoken to several other travelers who agreed that Bratislava could easily be one of the most boring capital cities they’ve ever visited. I mean that with no disrespect to the country itself, but the city felt incredibly dull. It was cute, with some nice streets to walk through, but it was so small that I think I walked around the entire city in maybe an hour or two. After that, I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself.
Even the Locals Seemed Done With Their Own City
I tried looking up things to do, but there was nothing that really captured my interest. We even asked locals for recommendations, and no one offered any insight or helpful suggestions. Most of the people we interacted with, whether on the street or in shops and restaurants, were unfriendly and seemed generally unhappy. It was such a bizarre experience.
I remember thinking the entire time that I couldn’t imagine ever living there. The city just felt dreary, with everyone appearing bored or dissatisfied. For me, this left little reason to return. Maybe other parts of Slovakia are more lively or interesting, but based on my experience in Bratislava, I can’t see myself heading back to this part of Europe anytime soon
4| Singapore
Next is the tiny country of Singapore in Southeast Asia. This one is a little different from the others on my list, and my reasons for not going back are a bit all over the place, so bear with me.
The first and most obvious reason is that Singapore is very small, essentially one big city, and it is extremely expensive. I spent about four days there and pretty much saw everything I wanted to see without breaking the bank. Many of the things to do in Singapore are flashy, built-up experiences that come with a steep price tag. In that sense, it felt a bit like Dubai, where the focus seems to be on luxury and man-made attractions rather than naturally occurring culture. For me, spending money on experiences that felt manufactured rather than authentic didn’t feel worth it.
That said, Singapore does have some highlights. The food scene is incredible, and the culture is definitely unique — unlike Dubai, there is a sense of tradition and heritage. But large parts of the city are dominated by businesspeople and wealthy professionals, and the overall vibe felt very corporate and polished. As a traveler seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences, it just didn’t offer me much. I saw what I wanted to see and experienced what I wanted, but I didn’t feel any pull to return or keep exploring.
A Personal Experience in Singapore That Changed Everything
One of the biggest reasons I would never go back, however, is because of a deeply personal and upsetting experience I had while I was there. Singapore is known for being extremely safe, with strict laws and a reputation for order. Unfortunately, I was sexually assaulted by a security officer at the Marina Bay Sands hotel, one of the city’s most well-known and luxurious hotels. I trusted this person in a position of authority to guide me safely, and that trust was violated. I won’t go into the details of what happened, but the experience was deeply distressing and shook my sense of security.
It made me realize that even in a country with a reputation for being safe, the risks of something happening are still real. It also created a sense of distrust toward the people I encountered there and the systems in place. For me, it was a harsh reminder that no place is entirely safe, and that personal experiences can outweigh even the strongest reputations.
For these reasons, Singapore is not a place I would feel the need to return to. While the food is incredible and the culture is unique, the overall experience, along with the unsettling incident I encountered, left me cautious and made it clear that I have no interest in going back.
5| Thailand
Lastly, this is an extremely controversial opinion, but for me, Thailand is a country I would never really travel back to unless there were extenuating circumstances. I have visited Thailand three separate times, and each visit left me feeling less and less inclined to return.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Thailand is a beautiful country. It has stunning landscapes, incredible islands, lush mountain regions, and some of the warmest and most loving people in the world. But for me, the tourism in the country has completely changed the experience.
I always tell people that Thailand is a great place for first-time travelers or anyone looking for a short, social adventure. It is easy to meet people, make friends, and have a good time for a couple of weeks. But as a full-time traveler who looks for genuine experiences and meaningful connections, Thailand has been difficult for me. Much of the tourism is immature. The country attracts young backpackers who are often more interested in partying than exploring culture, as well as older travelers with questionable intentions.
Why Thailand’s Party Tourism Culture Pushed Me Away for Good
I have had countless experiences with tourists behaving disrespectfully, disregarding the local culture, religion, and traditions. It was frustrating to witness, and it often left me feeling disappointed to be a tourist myself. Many areas of the country have become overrun with Westernized restaurants, bars, and tourist-focused attractions, which take away from the authentic culture and historical experiences Thailand has to offer.
Over time, as I became a more experienced traveler, seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations, I found it harder to enjoy Thailand. The country has attracted a crowd whose intentions I find troubling and in some cases disturbing. It has made me feel embarrassed to be a tourist there, simply because of the behavior and perceptions of other travelers.
That said, it is still possible to find genuine experiences in Thailand and to avoid these crowds, but it requires much more effort. Unfortunately, my experiences have left me with a negative impression that has overshadowed the incredible aspects of the country. The food is amazing, the people are wonderful, and the landscapes are breathtaking. Thailand is undeniably beautiful and popular for good reason, but the way tourism has transformed it has made it a place I would not feel inclined to return to.
Final Thoughts After Visiting 40 Countries
Travel has taught me that not every destination will resonate with you, and that is completely okay. After visiting 40 countries, I’ve learned that connection, authenticity, and cultural depth matter more to me than luxury, hype, or popularity. These countries may be perfect for someone else, and they clearly are for many travelers. But based on my personal experiences, energy, and what I seek when I explore the world, these are the places I do not feel called to return to. Travel is deeply personal, and sometimes the destinations that teach us the most are the ones we choose not to revisit.
If you’re curious about where I would return in a heartbeat, you might enjoy these next reads: