“You Couldn’t Pay Me to Go”: People Are Sharing the Countries They’d Never Visit, Even If the Trip Were Free

Most of us have a dream destination list. But one online thread flipped that idea around and asked a very different question:

“Which country would you never visit, even if the trip was free?”

The answers came in fast and furious. Some people focused on personal safety. Others brought up human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ protections, or unstable political situations. A few mentioned places they’d technically love to see, but simply can’t justify visiting right now.

Here are the countries people named over and over – and why so many say “absolutely not,” no matter how cheap the ticket is.

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1. North Sentinel Island (India)

One of the most common answers wasn’t a traditional tourist country at all: North Sentinel Island, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal where the Indigenous Sentinelese people live in near-total isolation.

“That island where the indigenous people shoot arrows at any outsider who comes near,” one person wrote, and the replies rolled in agreeing that this is an obvious “no.”

Commenters pointed out that it’s not only dangerous for outsiders. It’s also dangerous to the Sentinelese, who have no immunity to many modern diseases. People praised India’s decision to strictly protect the island and keep visitors away. More than anything, the consensus was clear: they want to be left alone, and that wish should be respected.

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2. North Korea

North Korea was another runaway “never” for many people, especially Americans.

“If you’re an American, visiting North Korea today is monumental stupidity,” one commenter said. Others referenced the American college student who was detained after a tour and later died after being returned to the U.S. in a coma. That story alone was enough for a lot of users to swear off ever stepping foot there.

A few people mentioned the tightly controlled border visits where you can technically stand on the North Korean side of a conference room at the DMZ. Even then, most felt the risks and moral questions around tourism there simply outweigh any curiosity. (I also highly recommend reading “In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom” to learn more about North Korea.)

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3. India

India came up constantly, and the tone from many commenters—especially women—was conflicted.

Several people said they’d love to see the country’s historic sites and culture, but still consider it a hard no. “It’s sad, because I would love to go to India and see the historic sites. But it just doesn’t feel safe for me as a woman,” one person wrote. Another pointed out that when people of Indian heritage say they don’t even want to go back, that’s a red flag.

There were also comments from people with Indian roots saying they’d visited and never want to return. The issue wasn’t that the country isn’t interesting; it was fear of harassment, sexual violence, and a general feeling that basic safety isn’t guaranteed for women.

Author’s note: As a woman, I will say that India is a country that requires planning and precautions. However, I still highly recommend visiting. Attending an Indian wedding in Pune is one of my favorite travel memories to date.

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4. Saudi Arabia

For a lot of travelers, especially women and LGBTQ+ people, Saudi Arabia landed firmly in “never” territory.

“Any country where women are required to wear full or partial ‘body bags’ or where ‘honor violence’ is acceptable,” one commenter wrote, listing Saudi Arabia first. Others pointed to restrictions on women’s freedoms and the risks LGBTQ+ travelers could face under local laws.

Some people acknowledged how historically and culturally important the country is, but said that doesn’t cancel out the discomfort of vacationing somewhere they feel their rights are significantly limited. For them, it isn’t just a travel choice; it’s an ethical one.

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5. Afghanistan

Afghanistan was another near-unanimous no, especially among women.

“Afghanistan. I am a woman,” one user wrote, and that short sentence pretty much summed it up for a lot of people. Others mentioned the current situation there and how unsafe it feels for women and girls in particular.

Even people who said they’d be fascinated to see Afghanistan’s landscapes and history admitted they’d only consider it if the political climate changed drastically and women’s rights were restored and protected in a meaningful way.

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6. Somalia

Somalia appeared again and again, mostly tied to safety and kidnapping concerns.

Several users referenced the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory, which warns travelers to do things like draft a will, leave DNA samples, and establish proof-of-life protocols before visiting. One commenter’s reaction summed up the general mood: “You couldn’t pay me to go there.”

A few people who had actually been stationed or worked in Somalia said the country itself is beautiful and the people can be incredibly warm, but they admitted the security situation is brutal. Even they described it as the kind of place you go for work or deployment, not a free holiday.

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7. Egypt

Egypt split people more than some of the other countries on this list, but enough travelers said “never” that it clearly belongs here.

Some commenters said they’d only go on a very controlled luxury river cruise with security. Others insisted that even with that setup, they dealt with constant harassment. “Try going there as a 13-year-old blonde girl,” one woman wrote, describing how relentless the attention felt.

On the other side, a few people said they had a great experience because they traveled with Arabic-speaking companions or local guides who handled logistics and vendors. But the overall vibe in the thread was that, for many women in particular, Egypt feels like a place where the emotional cost might outweigh the bucket-list payoff. (Check out our brutally honest guide to traveling here before you write it off.)

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8. Russia

Plenty of people listed Russia, and not because they think it’s boring.

Several commenters said they’d visited in the past and were blown away by cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow. One person even changed their major to Russian Studies after visiting as a teenager. But those same people now say they wouldn’t go back under the current regime or while the war in Ukraine is ongoing. (I also used to live here and was very pleasantly surprised as an American by many things in Moscow, but I would not currently travel to Russia.)

For some, it’s an ethical line: they don’t want their tourist dollars supporting the government. For others, it’s a personal risk calculation. One commenter said that as long as things stay the way they are, they worry there’s a “pretty high chance of me disappearing” if they returned.

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9. The United States

If you live in the U.S., it might surprise you how many people in the thread said the United States is their own “never” destination.

“As a Canadian there is zero chance I would visit the USA anytime soon,” one person wrote. Others from abroad echoed that sentiment. Their main concerns were gun violence, healthcare costs, and the overall political climate.

Americans in the thread pushed back and pointed out how everyday life in the U.S. often looks very different from the headlines. But the perception from outside is clearly influencing how some international travelers see the country, even when the hypothetical trip is free.

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10. Haiti

Haiti also appeared as a hard pass for many users.

People referenced the country’s long-running political instability, high crime rates, and recent reports of kidnappings. For a lot of commenters, this wasn’t about judging Haitians or their culture; it was a simple conclusion that the current risks are too high for a leisure trip.

Some acknowledged Haiti’s natural beauty and rich history, and said they hoped things would improve enough to consider traveling there one day. For now, though, it stayed firmly on the “not worth the danger” list.

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