15 Locations That Aren’t Exactly Tourist Friendly
Have you ever wondered if there is a place where tourists are unwelcome? Some destinations worldwide rely on tourism, while others are concerned about cultural preservation and environmental concerns or have too many tourists.
Venice and Barcelona, for instance: do you know that they have such high tourist numbers that local governments have put limits on them? UNWTO reports that international tourist arrivals exceeded 900 million in 2022, leaving a few places feeling too full. Here are 15 places where tourists receive a more frosty reception — and why.
Mount Everest Death Zone, Nepal
Climbing Mount Everest might be on many adventurers’ bucket lists, but the infamous “death zone” above 26,000 feet turns ambition into peril.
The result is altitude sickness and life-threatening conditions, and studies have shown that oxygen levels are a third of what they are at sea level. It’s a place of profound beauty and equal danger.
Snake Island, Brazil
One of the world’s most venomous snakes, the golden lancehead viper, is found on Snake Island (Ilha da Queimada Grande).
There is roughly one deadly snake per square meter, and access is limited to researchers. Herpetologists say the island is dangerous but essential for ecological balance.
Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression
Often referred to as “hell on Earth,” this is one of the world’s hottest and most inhospitable areas. It features some of the most otherworldly landscapes, created by some of its complete sulfur fields and active volcanoes, but it’s about 120 degrees F, and the air is highly toxic.
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Reopening parts of Chornobyl for controlled tours has nonetheless left it a dangerous place: It would leave lasting damage; the 1986 nuclear disaster did just that. Visitors can stay for a while but are strictly forced to obey safety regulations to avoid radiation.
Between Panama and Colombia: Darien Gap
The infamous Darien Gap is best known for its extreme terrain, where deadly wildlife and crime groups roam freely in a lawless stretch of jungle. Exploring it is dangerous, even for the most experienced explorers.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
Lake Natron has the same high alkaline level; its pH is as high as 12, and temperatures can reach 140°F, which can burn your skin chemically.
But the redness isn’t due to botanicals; microorganisms thrive in the lake’s harsh conditions, making it look best from a distance.
Yungas Road, Bolivia
Nicknamed “Death Road,” this steep, narrow mountain pass claims around 200-300 lives annually. With sharp curves and no guardrails, it’s not for the faint of heart, not even the most experienced drivers.
North Korea
There’s tourism in North Korea, but you’ll be monitored every step of the way. Foreign governments warn against travel to the country because they say its regime is restrictive and political tensions are high.
Human rights activist Adrian H. also noted that travel funds a brutal regime and exposes visitors to surveillance and propaganda.
Atacama Desert, Chile
Some sections of this desert have not had rain for decades and are tough, though not dangerous. It’s remote, and travelers will dry up like the surrounding salt flats if they don’t prepare.
North Sentinel Island, India
Visitors are not welcome here. It is home to the Sentinelese, an isolated tribe that does not have civilization contact. The Indian government protects the tribe’s ways of living by strict laws that separate and preserve the tribe.
T.N. Pandit, a renowned anthropologist, said their isolation preserves their culture, and any interference ‘could be catastrophic.’ This tiny island in the Andaman Sea is accessible only to outsiders enjoying government approval to stay there for academic purposes.
Boiling Lake, Dominica
This lake deserves its name. It is in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. The water is very hot, at 194°F. Trekking to the lake is tough, and unpredictable weather makes it dangerous.
Bikini Atoll, Marshall
Bikini Atoll is the site for the former nuclear testing site, which is still radioactive. Many scuba divers come to see its surreal underwater views of shipwrecks, but more exposure at once creates health risks.
Death Valley, USA
Death Valley is the hottest place on earth, with temperatures up to 134°F (56.7°C). Without preparation, hours will go by before you realize you are dehydrated or suffering from heatstroke.
For seasoned hikers, the advice extends to delaying outings to cooler months and bringing lots of water. Biologist Michael L. notes that one of its many charms is that waves of bioluminescence appear in rare conditions, but warns that the health risks from extreme heat here are overboard.
Mount Washington, USA
As one of the deadliest mountains to hike (with a risk of hypothermia and unpredictable weather), the summit holds the record for the fastest winds ever measured at a staffed weather station: 231 mph.
Lake Kivu, Africa
Enormous amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are trapped in Lake Kivu beneath its surface. If these gases were thrust into the atmosphere all at once, either from a geologic surprise or volcanic eruption, the surrounding population and ecosystem would suffocate, and the gases themselves—as a metaphorical ticking time bomb—would contribute to global warming.
Lake Kivu is likened to “a sleeping giant” that holds both resource opportunities and significant risks for the region.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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