Planning a vacation is always exciting. After all, going to someplace you have never been before is just brimming with new fun and adventure for you to explore. At the same time, there are several vacation destinations that just might be a little more dangerous that you signed on for. Here is a look at the top 20 vacation destinations that just might be a little more exciting than you had planned.

20. New Zealand

New Zealand is not inherently dangerous, but visitors routinely engage in activities that put them in harms way. More than one third of the country is considered a nature conservation land, which means thrill-seekers from around the world flock to the country in order to participate in extreme sports. Unfortunately, the result is a very high number of tourists deaths in the country each year.

19. Taiwan

Taiwan offers the beautiful city of Taipei as well as access to the largest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world. Despite its cultural sites, the country is plagued with natural disasters. In fact, more than 70% of the island is prone to experiencing at least three different types of natural disasters, including: floods, earthquakes, typhoons, windstorms, and landslides.

18. Australia

The land down under may have clean water and happy residents, but it is also home to some of the deadliest animals in the world. When you visit Australia, you may find yourself facing one of the ten most poisonous snakes in the world, one of many different types of deadly spiders or even deadly sea creatures. In fact, most consider Australia to be the place where you are most likely to get attacked by wildlife in one way or another.

17. Dominican Republic

Petty crimes have long been considered common in the Dominican Republic, but violent crimes against foreigners are becoming increasingly common. In fact, buses and taxis are known for allowing criminals to rob tourists while in their small, enclosed spaces.

16. Venezuela

Venezuela as the third biggest murder rate in all of Latin America, with much of that violence being related to drug trafficking and resulting from the fact that the country is located between Colombia and the United States.

15. Cote d’Ivoire

Despite the fact that the airport is now open, the violent killings of and American civilian and several French troops in 2004 has continued to plague this country.

14. Georgia

American citizens are forbidden from traveling the overland passing that spans between Russia and Georgia, but this isn’t the only problem you might face in this country. The country remains divided after its civil war, which took place in the 80s and 90s, and the group in northwest Georgia still refuses to recognize the country’s government. This has results in a great deal of violence in the area, including beatings and destruction of property.

13. Zimbabwe

Despite the beauty that Victoria Falls offers in Zimbabwe, tourists are routinely harassed in the country. Violent crime, which is often spurred by food and fuel shortages, are also common.

12. Democratic Republic of the Congo

If you plan to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, be prepared to have to bribe your way in and out of the country. Despite the presences of the U.N. observer forces throughout the country, car-jackings, kidnapping, and rapes routinely occur at the hands of troops as well as armed groups.

11. Liberia

Despite the 1,100 police advisors and 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers, crime remains a major problem in Liberia. Murder, theft, and sexual assaults are all common - particularly at night.

10. Haiti

Despite the governmental changes that took place in 2004, Haiti still regularly sees violent outbreaks and demonstrations. With no real police force in the country, keeping the violence under control has been impossible and several towns in the country are literally controlled by criminals. Furthermore, water and electricity are in low supply and travelers do not receive protection from the U.N. representatives while in the country.

9. Russia

The Caucasus region of Russia is highly unstable, making certain areas of the country best to avoid. In areas such as Degestan and North Ossetia, open guerilla warfare is still a regular occurrence. Travelers are often kidnapped for ransom and terrorists regularly attack government buildings, hotels, and even schools.

8. Burundi

Burundi has been dealing with an ongoing civil war since 1993, with fighting between government forces and rebel fractions being a common occurrence. Groups of criminals regularly engage in car-jackings and muggings and mortar attacks are a regular part of life in the country, despite a cease-fire agreement among six o the rebel groups.

7. Sudan

Sudan, which is located in Northeast Africa, is simply brimming with a variety of exotic diseases, and, yet, there are only 3 hospitals for the 6 million people in the country. Some of the diseases found in Sudan are so rare that they are not found anywhere else in the world. Others are more common, yet equally as deadly. Ebola and Malaria are common in Sudan, as well as the interesting Guinea Worm that grow inside your body and then digs its way back out when it becomes an adult.

Islamic military regimes have also been in power in Sudan ever since the country gained its independence in 1956. Despite the signing of a peace agreement in 2005, violence rages on in Sudan. Terrorists attacks occur on occasion while militant fighting remains a constant.

6. Columbia

Columbia boasts beautiful Caribbean coastlines and excellent surfing opportunities, but the country also has one of the highest violent crime rates in the world. The country also reports 2,300 kidnappings of tourists each year and drug cartel assassinations are a regular occurrence. On the average day, the country sees 8 highway robberies, 2 bank robberies, 87 murders, and 204 muggings or assaults.

5. Papua New Guinea

One of the world’s highest murder rates are found in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Armed robberies, car-jackings, and stonings are common in certain areas and violent crimes are rampant throughout the country. Even public transportation is dangerous for visitors, making car rental the safest way to get around the country.

4. Somalia

American travelers in Somalia have no backing or assistance available to them, as there are no diplomatic outposts or United States embassies in the country. Relief workers and journalists are attacked on a regular basis. In addition, vessels are held ransom by pirates while inter-clan fighting is a daily event.

3. Pakistan

Ever since it was founded in 1947, Pakistan has been embroiled with conflict. Militant extremist groups abound in the area, with Americans being the biggest target of their rage.

2. Afghanistan

Kidnapping and assassination are regular threats for visitors to Afghanistan. According to the State Department, the number of vehicular bombing continue to grow and several areas of the country are actually banned for many members of the U.S. Embassy.

1. Iraq

The warzone of Iraq is not save for any visitor, regardless of where they visit. Even the International Zone is a dangerous place to be. The Ba’ath regime is still enjoying a great deal of power in the area and international criminals and terrorists remain a daily threat. Every day, civilians are killed from suicide bombings and car bombings. In addition, given the fact that U.S. citizens are particularly despised in the region, it is an even more dangerous place for people from the United States to visit.

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