The 10 Safest Countries to Visit

Here are the 10 safest countries to visit according to the GPI 2023 list: Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Singapore, Portugal, Slovenia, Japan and Switzerland.

Japan is also on Kiplinger’s list of the best places to visit where the dollar is strong. And Portugal is on Kiplinger’s list of the 10 cheapest countries to visit.

Before you avoid a destination because it scores poorly on the Global Peace Index, know that for most travelers “the actual risks are more mundane,” says Matthew Bradley of International SOS, a medical and travel security services company.

In most places, you’re more likely to experience petty theft, traffic accidents or gastrointestinal problems than a terrorist attack. Instead of writing off certain places because of bad press, use these strategies to judge a destination.

To review the U.S. Department of State’s advice for travelers, go to the Travel Advisories page and search for the country you wish to visit. Each country is rated one of four levels, with Level 1 advising travelers to “exercise normal precautions” and Level 4 indicating “do not travel.”

Read the full advisory and the Safety and Security section because these write-ups describe the severity of the dangers you could face and drill down into regions or cities that carry higher — or lower — risks than elsewhere in the country. The State Department also offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), where you can sign up for safety alerts and register with the local embassy. Enrolling in STEP is a good idea if you are visiting a riskier country.

Sometimes advisories issue alarming warnings, such as “terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks” or “pickpockets and purse-snatchers operate aggressively,” even in seemingly benign countries. But be aware that the advisories “err on the side of caution,” says Bradley.

Ted Blank, a travel agent in Stillwater, Minnesota, recommends cross-checking the State Department’s perspective with travel advisories written by other governments, such as the United Kingdom’s page on Foreign Travel Advice.

Balance government reports with guidebooks and other objective resources. GeoSure is a smartphone app that scores cities and neighborhoods worldwide on risk factors, such as women’s safety, LGBTQ+ safety and risk from theft or physical assault. Scores range from 1 to 100, with higher numbers indicating a greater degree of safety.

Ellen Kennedy is associate ESG investing editor at Kiplinger.com. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.

©2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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