Okay, I think most of the time places we visit turn out to be completely different than we had imagined. But some of these places are SO bad, that their tourism officials have to sell an entirely false image to get you to go there. Here are 7 times the tourism industry lied to your face.
1. The Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean is famous the world over for its spectacular beaches, beach bars and laid back locals. Although one will find these things on virtually every Caribbean island, what the travel brochures fail to tell you is that beyond the tourist zones, there is a very different reality. Most of the Caribbean islands, with the acceptation of a few obvious ones are largely run down and riddled with crime and drugs. The reportedly "laid back locals" have a very short temper, and have found mooching off tourists to be an easy alternative to working. Don't be surprised if you are followed by persistent street hawkers. A lot of the locals are rude and although will gladly take your money, are not quick to serve your needs. And if you're a woman, you WILL get hit on. When photographing popular landmarks or public transportation, a local paranoid about having his picture taken may begin yelling at you, or demand you give him money for taking "his" picture, even if he is just in the background. Sometimes he might offer to show you something free of charge, than will demand money from you, and it's best if you not refuse. An infamous example was a tour group in Jamaica that was stopped on the trail by locals with machetes who demanded money for visiting "their" waterfall. In general, the locals on the majority of the islands have the same mindset. You best not venture beyond the tourist zones after dark, and avoid some neighborhoods entirely. Every year dozens of tourists report armed muggings on the islands, even in broad daylight, and these crimes tend to increase during carnival season and cruise ship calls. A few islands like Trinidad, Jamaica and St. Martin have pretty much become no go zones for tourists.
2. Valparaiso
Valparaiso has long been a popular destination for young artists and backpackers looking to "find themselves." This colorful hillside city on Chile's Pacific coast, famous for its street art, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has a reputation for being one of the finest and most beautiful cities in Latin America. However, most of the pictures you see of Valparaiso were taken in Cerro Conception, also known as "the only part of the city that's safe for tourists." The fact that the city is located on a hillside, should already be cause for suspicion. The city is basically a giant shanty town. The majority of the city is very rundown and unsafe, and has been deemed a "No Go Zone" for tourists. Drugs, poverty, homelessness, and daytime muggings of tourists are the things the travel brochures and tour companies, won't tell you about. And unlike in other Chilean cities, police in Valparaiso are corrupt, nowhere in sight, and rarely act when a crime is reported. Locals in online forums will assure you the city is safe during the day, because a large portion of its economy is tourism based, and the Chilean government advertises the hell out of this place. The city looks beautiful from a distance with the colorful buildings on the green hillside, but up close, it is nothing more than a run-down shanty town. The city is best visited with a guide, and photographed from the safety of a tour bus. And don't even think about venturing out after dark.
3. Vancouver, BC
It's no secret that Vancouver is probably the most scenic city in North America, and is a great destination for avid outdoorsmen. However, that's where the positivity ends. This modern metropolis on Canada's southwest coast is often named the "World's Most Livable City." This is nothing but propaganda to get people to move here. In reality, the city is incredibly expensive to live in, has one of the highest populations of homeless in North America, and also has the highest percentage of meth users and car jackings in North America. Not to mention, some of the worst weather in North America. The fact that Canada always makes the Top 10 safest countries list is more Leafer propaganda. Vancouver alone should skew the crime statistics. Several gangs operate in the city, many of which have international connections, and street beatings, muggings and rapes are a common occurrence. Not to mention the lousy weather has made people depressed and angry. Road rage runs ramped, and contrary to the "friendly Canadian" stereotype, the majority of Vancouverites are far from friendly. Not to mention the unbelievable amount of anti-American propaganda and hatred for anything American. Vancouverites have even gone as far as to charge American tourists extra at tourist sites. As long as you stick to the parks and coastal areas, you will have a great time. Downtown is best avoided as it is overrun with creeps, homeless, tweakers, informal street vendors and Korean gold diggers. And police give you tickets for climbing rocks, but do nothing to stop the car jacking and drug problem. You're much better off visiting San Francisco.
4. Copenhagen
Oh no! Copenhagen, really? Sadly, yes. I don't even know where to begin with this one. The biggest disappointment for tourists will be when they discover that the city is not as colorful as you see in the pictures. Most of the pictures you see of Copenhagen are of Nyhavn, but in reality, the majority of the city is very bland and not colorful at all, and much of the residential neighborhoods are covered in graffiti. Not to mention the architecture including homes, churches and castles are quite simple, and not as elegant as in other European cities. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of Copenhagers are rude, introverted and not friendly at all, and the city's many Middle Eastern immigrants will be more helpful in giving you directions than local Danes. Speaking of Middle Eastern immigrants, the city is full of them, as well as immigrants from the Andean countries of South America. This means you are more likely to see women in abayas and Peruvian flute bands than authentic Danish culture. Not to mention the large influx of Middle Eastern refugees has led to an increase in theft and sexual assault, which the Danish government tries to cover up. It's best you not fall asleep on the metro, and women not walk alone after dark. And if you want some of their delicious ekkler, good luck finding it.
5. Texas
I know! I know! But I'm gonna ignore the warnings and mess with Texas for this post. Don't get me wrong Texas DOES have beautiful natural wonders and amazing historic sites, but they are so spread out and the state is SO massive, that you basically have to drive an entire day to get from one to the other. And in between these places, miles and miles of empty prairie, farmland, and oil fields, which is the biggest reason I included Texas on this list. This is the side of the state the travel ads don't show you. The only acception is four weeks during the spring, when the state is covered in wildflowers. And the quote, "It's more than just a state, it's like a whole other country" is propaganda. I assure you, no place feels more American than Texas. The tourism and Texas living ads also fail to mention that the state has the worst climate in the U.S., and experiences pretty much every natural disaster short of avalanches. There is probably a reason every Californian who moves there, comes back after a year. And don't even get me started on El Paso.
6. Belize
Belize is one of the most popular destinations in Central America, and over 1 million Americans visit each year to see its rainforest, coral reefs and Mayan ruins. But what the travel brochures fail to tell you is that the country's largest city, Belize City is one of the most dangerous in the western hemisphere. The city is basically a giant shanty town, overrun with drugged up tweakers harassing you for money. It has been declared a "No Go Zone", and tourists are warned not to venture into the streets of Belize City for any reason, even during the day. Street gangs rule the streets, and will not hesitate to mug, kill or sexually assault a gringo. The city has become so dangerous most locals will not even go there, and most taxi drivers refuse to take visitors into the interior of Belize City. That being said, as long as you avoid Belize City and Corozal, Belize is a beautiful and relatively safe country to travel. But it is best to stay in the higher class resorts, not venture out after dark for any reason, and only travel with licensed tour companies.
7. Tanzania
Okay. Who hasn't dreamed of going on safari? I know I have. But what the travel brochures won't show you is that beyond savannas, life in Africa is far from pretty. This could apply to most African countries, but I just went with Tanzania. Okay, we all know that poverty is a problem in Tanzania, but what you don't hear is just how dangerous it is, because the government does not want to scare off tourists. Street crime and sexual assaults in the big cities are not uncommon, and foreigners living in the country have been killed during home invasions. In short, Tanzania is NOT a safe country. It's best to travel with a licensed tour agency and stay only in the best hotels, which have security. It is not wise to wonder the streets of Dar es Salaam or Arusha without a local guide. Be careful taking pictures in markets and other crowded areas. Like their Caribbean counterparts, the locals are extremely paranoid about having their picture taken, and also like their Caribbean counterparts, will try to get money off tourists whenever they can.
Dishonorable Mentions
Thailand: Scammers will doop you into spending more money than you need.
Cancun: Locals will charge you money for directions
Giza: You can eat Pizza Hut while enjoying the pyramids.
Bahamas: High crime in Nassau and Freeport
Dubai: Photographing locals without consent can land you in the courtroom
India: Sexual assault, money grabbers, Delhi Belly
East Asia: Rude and racist people
If you've been dooped by the tourism industry, tell me about your experience in the comments below.
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