1. San Pedro Sula, Honduras
The city is located in the northwest corner of the country, in the Valle de Sula (Sula Valley), about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean Sea. It has a lovely, tropical climate and high temperatures throughout the year. The city has great sights, such as The Museum of Anthropology and History, The Child Planetarium, The Central park where stands a little gazebo marking a place where the city was founded, and Avenida Circunvalación (The Ring Avenue) a popular zone containing hotels, malls, banks and fast food chains.
However, San Pedro Sula is one of the most dangerous places in the world. According to statistics, in 2011, the city had 159 homicides per 100,000 residents, which surpassed the previous most dangerous place on Earth for three consecutive years, Ciudad Juarez, in Mexico. These numbers and statistics translated into ordinary English mean that San Pedro Sula is the murder capital of the world with approximately 3 murders a day. What makes it even worse is that murders are not the only thing you should be worried about, for in this city the gang activity is so high that they’ve taken over the businesses of illegal drug trade and arms trafficking. No wonder there are so many murders in a city with so much firearms
Photo credit: flickr/Prayitno
Tourism is the main economic activity of the municipality and Acapulco’s main attraction is its nightlife, as it has been for many decades. Nightclubs change names and owners frequently. Informal lobby or poolside cocktail bars often offer free live entertainment. In addition, there is the beach bar zone, where younger crowds go. These are located along the Costera road, face the ocean and feature techno music or alternative rock. These places tend to open earlier and have a more informal dress code. Here, those adventurous enough can try bungee jumping as well.
Acapulco is one of Mexico’s oldest coastal tourist destinations, reaching prominence in the 1950s as the place where Hollywood stars and millionaires vacationed on the beach in an exotic locale. But in modern times, tourists in Acapulco have been facing problems with the local corrupt police who steal money by extortion and intimidate visitors with threats of jail. Other than that, Acapulco is also known as a city with a lot of drug cartel problems. There have been reports of dead bodies everywhere, and if you are at the wrong place at a wrong time, no one can guarantee you won’t end up the same. It may sound fun, all the parties and wild fun, but be advised and be safe if you still want to travel there.
Photo credit: flickr/Gabriela Camaton
While Caracas is within the tropics, due to its altitude temperatures are generally not nearly as high as other tropical locations at sea level. Caracas is not nearly as popular as Acapulco, nonetheless it has its beauties and could be a very desirable place to go on vacation. For religious people, this city could be very interesting, since it has many religious buildings such as The Iglesia de San Francisco which is of historical value and retains much of its original colonial interior, despite being given a treatment in the 19th century.
Then, Caracas Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caracas and the Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim is the second largest mosque in Latin America. For many years it was the biggest. But, don’t be fooled by this city’s apparent religious status, because Venezuela and its capital, Caracas, are reported to both have among the highest per capita murder rates in the world. Most murders and other violent crimes go unsolved. The poor neighborhoods that cover the hills around Caracas are dangerous at all times, and tourists are advised not to go alone, especially at night. Among murders, other violent crimes include street fighting and armed robberies. If you still want to go on a pilgrimage there, it may not be a bad idea to bring an extra Bible.
Photo credit: flickr/Nan Palmero
Situated in a valley and surrounded by mountain ranges, Tegucigalpa is hilly with several elevations and few flat areas. Some of the popular landmarks include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace (now a museum), the National University, the Basilica of the Virgin of Suyapa, La Merced Church, and the Manuel Bonilla Theater. Tegucigalpa is a colonial city with a history spanning for more than 400 years. There are 14 museums in Tegucigalpa. Most of the popular museums are located around the historic center of the city. Don’t let these sights deceive you, because Honduras has the world’s highest murder rate.
Honduras has been experiencing record-high violence in recent years. In 2010, the homicide rate in Francisco Morazán was 83.2 (per 100,000 inhabitants) compared to the national average of 86. In 2009, there were 246 motor vehicle-related deaths where pedestrians and bicyclists were the most common victims. Other than that, extreme poverty withdraws extreme violence among citizens. The fact that there is corruption and mafia present does not help the situation. This place is not only very inhospitable towards tourists, but very dangerous as well. My advice is, cancel your flight and make other plans, some that don’t lead you into mortal danger.
Photo credit: flickr/Ninha Morandini
Maceio is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, in Brazil. Maceió has a typical tropical climate, specifically a tropical monsoon climate, with warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity all throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and trade winds blowing from the ocean.
This city sure sounds perfect to go to for your vacation since it has sandy beaches, the color of sea varies from emerald green to blue and the water is always clear. The sand is white and there are many coconut plantations. But, a not so widely known fact is that the state of Brazil is a home of 14 most violent cities in the world. Maceio is one of them. Statistics show that it has 135 murders per 100,000 residents, which succeeded to top Rio de Janeiro.
Photo credit: flickr/Alex Schwab
Havana is the capital city of Cuba and it is the largest city in the area, the most populous city, and the third largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. Contemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana (Vedado) and the newer suburban districts. The city is the center of the Cuban Government, and home to various ministries, headquarters of businesses and over 90 diplomatic offices.
However, drug trafficking is very present, with United States being the destination where most of the drugs are being transported to. Since Cuba is a former socialist country, the whole state is plagued with poverty. Bribery is widespread, even in healthcare. Musicians regularly pay bribes in order to be allowed to perform in tourist areas, where they can earn convertible currency. Prostitution, fueled by the increase of tourism, has increased immensely, but it is not illegal in Cuba. Havana, being the main attraction in Cuba is not so dangerous, as long as you stay in the advised areas for tourists.
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