Where should you travel in 2027? See the safest destinations

Where should you travel in 2027? See the safest destinations A new global risk map reveals some of the safest and most dangerous destinations for 2027, plus what travelers should know before they go.

Key points

• Here are the top takeaways from Global Guardian's 2027 Global Risk Map and Buckner's time-tested tips on preparing for any trip.
• Mexico, for instance, is a kaleidoscope of colors on the 2027 Global Risk Map.
• CCTV published by Saudi Arabia indicates the moment of an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 13 individuals and wounded more than 300.
• Buckner continued that numerous places in the Middle East North Africa region have rose in risk since the start of the U.S.
• You've seen that the United States has boxed out both Russia and China from bringing oil and gasoline and backing into the western region.

These tips will support you have some peace of mind in case your smartphone gets lost or stolen while you're traveling.

For context, a new risk analysis from Global Guardian ranks travel destinations based on factors like crime, conflict, and political stability.

In practice, the analysis discovered that almost half of the world's countries now have multiple risk levels within their borders.

For context, the United States was ranked as a moderate-risk country due to its high murder rate and environmental dangers.

For travelers, the possibilities seem endless, but a new risk analysis by international security and medical services provider Global Guardian may create you reconsider destinations for the new year.

"Almost half of the countries in the world now have multiple risk levels across the board, " the company's CEO Dale Buckner informed USA TODAY.

"The world is changing in real time, " he continued. When deciding on a destination, he remarked, "You need to understand the environment. You need to understand the countries to its right, left, north, south, east, west. You need to understand the region."

To assess risk, Global Guardian weighed factors like crime, conflict, political stability, civil unrest, terrorism, wrongful detentions, cybersecurity, health, infrastructure and natural disasters. The analysis additionally takes into account input from teams on the ground in more than 150 countries.

Destinations were ranked low (green), moderate (yellow), medium (orange), high (burnt orange) or extreme risk (red), with risk broken out by region.

"The risk rating on the border and the risk rating in the western half where the cartels are very active could be very high risk, whereas if you go to the inner circle of Mexico City, Guadalajara, it could be medium to low risk, " remarked Buckner.

In practice, the State Department additionally offers travel advisories, but the two rankings don't necessarily align. One key difference is the agency uses four levels instead of five. It additionally only looks at foreign countries, whereas Global Guardian ranks the United States as moderate risk. Over the years, numerous international travelers have informed USA TODAY they're afraid to visit America due to worries ranging from detention at the border to gun violence.

"It's not low risk. Our murder rate is the highest amongst any modern developed country in the world, " Buckner remarked. He additionally cited environmental risks like the devastating Palisades Fire in Southern California and floods in Asheville, North Carolina, from Hurricane Helene. Why some tourists are skipping US as travel destination.

International tourists are attributing their fear of visiting the United States to gun violence, among other safety reservations. Here's what we know now. 10 most dangerous destinations.

Buckner continued that numerous places in the Middle East North Africa region have rose in risk since the start of the U.S. War with Iran.

He additionally observed Saudi Arabia's medium-risk ranking predated recent Houthi attacks, including on Riyadh's airport. "If we had to redo the map today for Saudi Arabia, it would be extreme high risk right now, " he remarked. Think like a spy: Travel safety tips from former intelligence officers. Dramatic footage of deadly strike inside Riyadh's King Khalid airport.

Buckner described all five destinations as "wildly secure, wildly stable at this point, outside of tsunami (risk) in Japan."

Other low-risk countries on the map include Croatia, Switzerland and New Zealand.

Nevertheless, he observed, "There's always a caveat. Even in the green countries, bad things can still happen. But in the aggregate, statistically, from a data standpoint, yes, these are wildly safe." See travelers 'eat' emojis in Japan.

Ever wondered what this emoji 🍡 tasted like? Watch travelers try it and other Japanese dishes. Buckner flagged a few other findings from the 2027 rankings. Jamaica's risk lowered from high to medium.

"Kingston, the capital city, you saw the murder rate go down. The board of tourism has put an enormous amount of effort and finance into investing in security and creating a better environment, " Buckner remarked. The State Department additionally lowered its travel advisory ranking for Jamaica from Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 2: Exercise Climbed Caution, this past January.

South Korea and Hungary both saw risk drop from moderate to low. Global Guardian cited improved political stability in South Korea and lower risk of civil unrest in Hungary after the ouster of its previous prime minister Viktor Orbán. On the flip side, Cuba's risk rose from moderate to medium.

"You've seen that the United States has boxed out both Russia and China from bringing oil and gasoline and backing into the western region. From a political standpoint, from a military standpoint, from a geo-economic standpoint, the United States, they think this is a great thing. It's all where you sit, " remarked Buckner. "The counter narrative is Cuba no longer has electricity. Cuba's having a tough time bringing in basic food sources and supplies."

Ecuador's risk rose from medium to high due to gang violence and drug activity. Faith leaders provide hope as Cuba faces a humanitarian crisis.

Cubans caught in one of the country's worst humanitarian crises in decades are looking to their faith for hope going forward. Where to go, how to prepare.

Though he may suggest tabling some leisure trips, buckner, a former Green Beret who served 24 years in Special Forces, remarked he never tells clients not to go to specific destinations. He urges travelers to consider. If you have a medical emergency, how will you obtain care? If you purchase travel insurance, what does it actually cover?

If there is a conflict of any kind. This person will you call to support secure you to safety?

If you are detained abroad. This person is going to legally represent you internationally?

If you are kidnapped, who is going to negotiate getting you to safety and what will that cost?

If your devices are stolen, how do you shut them off to keep bad actors out? If you are hacked, who's going to remediate that?

Do you have an encrypted VPN to protect your online activity and prevent tracking?

Buckner encourages travelers to prepare a checklist with answers before leaving home, so that "when you're under duress and/or scared and/or nervous and/or stressed, now you have the highest probability of having a positive outcome."

In practice, the State Department additionally encourages travelers to sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before going abroad, but Buckner warns travelers not to solely rely on embassies for assist. This story was updated to add links. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, where should you travel in 2027? See the safest destinations remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.