The INSIDER Summary:
• These popular travel destinations look great on Instagram, but they're actually quite dangerous.
• Costa Rica has no laws requiring lifeguards on their beaches.
There are the type of destinations that take your breath away for their beauty and then there are those that have you holding your breath because they're terrifying. For those who like a combination of both, turn your attention to our list of some of the most beautiful -- but unexpectedly dangerous -- places in the world.
For some expert input on our picks, we tapped Olivier Le Carrer, author of the “Atlas of Cursed Places,” and Robert Pelton, author of “The World’s Most Dangerous Places.” As Pelton notes, it isn’t the most treacherous locales that lead to broken bones and drownings. “People who travel to ‘danger zones’ usually bring along a sense of caution and ask questions,” he says. Instead, it's the places that aren't as commonly dangerous -- and where folks don't act mindfully -- that cause trouble. Check out our list below -- and be prepared for a few surprises along the way.
Caribbean/Latin America
Don’t think your long weekend sipping pina coladas on the beach could be the start of trouble? Think again. Pelton explains, “if you compare statistical probability of death, it’s likely to be in the Caribbean and involve drowning, a heart attack, or car accident.” According to reports, quite a few drownings happen in Latin America and the Caribbean (Costa Rica has had 101 American drownings since 2002; Mexico had the most, with 355 drownings, followed by the Bahamas, which had 83). Even worse, countries like Costa Rica, home to some dangerous (and popular) waters, have no laws requiring lifeguards on their beaches.
Guatemala
A few years ago, "Esquire" described Guatemala City as one of the most dangerous places on the planet. "The last 40 years of Guatemalan history is a snake trail of atrocity, corruption and disaster," the article stated, noting the earthquake that killed 27,000 people, coups, territorial disputes, an erupting volcano, and more. So why go?
There’s brilliant Mayan architecture found at El Mirador and Yaxha and the black sand beach of Monterrico makes for a beautiful sight along the rugged Pacific waters. Sci-fi author Aldous Huxley also considered Lake Atitlán, which is situated in the Guatemalan Highlands, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. But is the beauty worth the risk? As is the case with many destinations, it's important to take proper safety precautions, including avoiding carrying valuable items in hand, arriving during daylight hours, and being mindful of your luggage when you arrive.
Valley of the Kings, Egypt
Located on the west side of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings features layers of limestone and marl that create jagged cliffs and a good terrain for digging tombs. Between the 16th and 11th century B.C., 63 tombs were built in the earth, in the shadow of the Theban Hills. Builders created a maze of catacombs to ensure the kings had their treasures nearby in the afterlife. And since the late 18th century, archaeologists have burrowed into the tombs to see what they can uncover.
As Le Carrer explains, the area might be most famous for what happened to all of those curious antique hunters. Rumor has it many died mysteriously after raiding the tombs of Tutankhamen and other great kings. In reality, the curse is a little dubious, since some people on the archaeological digs died due to mosquito-borne diseases. Plus, plenty of other folks, including the person who guarded King Tut’s tomb for seven years, lived until a ripe old age.
However, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula does have some modern-day concerns. "Time" magazine recently reported that the most common cause of death to Americans in Egypt was due to bad driving. Among the 69 American deaths that occurred there over the past 13 years, 18 died from car accidents and 11 perished from bus accidents.
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